My Calendar
Events in December 2020
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30/11/2020(1 event) Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 
Chemical weapons have been used for centuries. In the 17th century, France and Germany signed an agreement NOT to use poison bullets! In 1899, countries at the Hague Peace Conference declared they would not use projectiles which contained "asphyxiating or deleterious gases". However, during the First World War, over 100,000 humans died and more than 1 million were wounded by the use of gas. In the Second World War, gas was not used in combat but was used in the Holocaust Concentration Camps. In 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention (proposed in 1993) came into force on 29 April. Its purpose was, “for the sake of all mankind, to exclude completely the possibility of the use of chemical weapons.” And so, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was set up to monitor this happening. There have undoubtedly been huge successes and OPCW Member States represent about 98% of the global population and landmass, as well as 98% of the worldwide chemical industry. The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for what it has done to eliminate chemical weapons. OPCW claim to have eliminated 97% of all chemical weapons. However, throughout the Syrian Civil War (which started in 2011) - and as recently as 2017 - chemical weapons have been used.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available as a 1 minute video by clicking HERE) Loving God, we give thanks for the progress made in eliminating chemical weapons. We pray for those who have suffered death or injury because of them. We pray for those who order their use that their hearts might be transformed to seek ways of peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. AMEN
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01/12/2020(1 event) World AIDS Day 
Here's a 2 minute video of useful information!
A PRAYER FOR THIS DAY (available HERE as 1 minute video) Loving God, we are mindful this day of our sisters and brothers living with HIV and AIDS. We ask for your healing presence on them especially the children around the world who have been left vulnerable. We stand with those who have been rejected, abandoned or stigmatised by their condition. And we pray for a just distribution of resources in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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02/12/2020(2 events) International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 
"Slavery - that finished ages ago, didn't it?"Well, actually no!DID YOU KNOW?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, who sees the unseen and notices the unnoticed, help each of us to hear the Hidden Voices of those who pray for release from slavery. We pray for those who work to end exploitation and trafficking that they (and we) be strengthened in resolve to free your people. We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
(Adapted from prayer by The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Chair of The Clewer Initiative.) National Grief Awareness Week 
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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03/12/2020(2 events) National Grief Awareness Week
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
A 3 minute video celebrating different abilities! We pray that throughout the world, people with disabilities may be seen as people with different abilities. May all experience dignity, acceptance of equality and self-sufficiency in their lives. We ask that all be empowered to live free from prejudice, persecution or discrimination of any kind. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, may we work together to do whatever we can to achieve this. AMEN |
04/12/2020(1 event) National Grief Awareness Week
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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05/12/2020(3 events) National Grief Awareness Week
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development World Soil Day 
Soil erosion - what's so important about that? Find some answers by watching this 2:11 video!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Creator God, we thank You for soil, one of creation's wonders that we simply take for granted. Be with those who labour on the land, help us all to make decisions which contribute towards nurturing and preserving it so that the soil will continue to bear fruit that all your children might be fed! We pray this in your holy name. AMEN
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06/12/2020(1 event) National Grief Awareness Week
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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07/12/2020(2 events) National Grief Awareness Week
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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08/12/2020(1 event) National Grief Awareness Week
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to. If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust. Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING Jesus, healer and teacher, you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus. Help me make sense of what is happening, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost, some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all. Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain, and let treasured memories sustain me. Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you, free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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09/12/2020(2 events) International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime |
10/12/2020(1 event) Human Rights Day 
Here's a special message for Human Rights Day 2020 - a year like no other (2:09). So what are Human Rights (2:08)? A PRAYER We pray this day for all who are denied human rights. We pray for individuals and organisations campaigning for the oppressed. We pray for oppressors that their hearts be transformed.
Loving God, help us to be beacons of hope, willing to speak and campaign, to support and encourage, to show compassion and resilience, so that your kingdom of peace and justice be established in this place, at this time.
Give us wisdom and courage to make the first seemingly small steps and declarations required to make giant leaps and proclamations.
We ask this in your holy name. AMEN |
11/12/2020(1 event) International Mountain Day 
Did you know?
So you can see that mountains are incredibly important! However, there are problems our mountains are facing because of climate change:
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1 minute video.) Creator God, we pray for those who live on, and rely on, mountains for their livelihood. We pray for courageous leaders who will tackle climate change at their national level. We pledge ourselves to tackle climate change on an individual level by every day decisions that impact the world we share.
We give thanks for those who support us as we climb the mountains in our lives. Help us to find and stay on the right path and give us strength to keep going when the going gets tough.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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12/12/2020(2 events) |
13/12/2020
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14/12/2020
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15/12/2020
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16/12/2020
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17/12/2020
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18/12/2020(2 events) Arabic Language Day 
It's World Arabic Language Day when the international community takes a moment to appreciate Arabic and its contributions to humanity. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used daily by more than 290 million people. World Arabic Language Day is celebrated every year on 18 December since 2012. The date coincides with the day in 1973 that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the Organization. Maybe you could work out the other 5! (Answers below) The Arabic language has given rise to developments in architecture, poetry, philosophy and song. It gives access to an incredible variety of identities and beliefs and its history reveals the richness of its links with other languages. Arabic has played an important role in passing on the knowledge of Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies to Renaissance Europe. Arabic numerals form the basis of mathematics Classical Arabic is the liturgical (prayer) language of 1.8 BILLION followers of Islam! Here are some English words which have come to us from Arabic:
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, we give thanks for Arabic language and culture. Help us to use their richness to inspire us to communicate ideas and develop understanding, building bridges between people. AMEN So, the other official languages of the UN are: French, English, Russian Chinese and Spanish
International Migrants Day 
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Jesus, born into a migrant family, help us: |
19/12/2020
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20/12/2020(1 event) International Human Solidarity Day 
Solidarity is one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century, whereby those who either suffer or benefit least - deserve help from those who benefit most. Therefore, the UN General Assembly, convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed 20 of December as International Human Solidarity Day. It is:
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, give us, your one human family, the willingness to join hands not raise fists; and a spirit of adventure as we journey together on the earth we all share. Send us your spirit of hope and determination so that we will work to alleviate human suffering and foster kindness and justice for all. AMEN
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21/12/2020
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22/12/2020
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23/12/2020
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24/12/2020
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25/12/2020
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26/12/2020
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27/12/2020
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28/12/2020
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29/12/2020
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30/12/2020
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31/12/2020
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01/01/2021
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02/01/2021
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03/01/2021
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