My Calendar
Events in November 2020
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26/10/2020
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27/10/2020(1 event)
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28/10/2020
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29/10/2020
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30/10/2020
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31/10/2020(1 event)
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01/11/2020
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02/11/2020(1 event)
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against JournalistsInternational Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists A brief introduction: Did you know?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY: God of truth,we give thanks this day for those who work in the media,investigating, communicating, holding people in power to account.We ask you to bless them with wisdom and strength -showering them with the sense of satisfaction that comes from a job well done!Give those who investigate crimes against journalists the courage and determination to bring perpetrators to account.We ask this in your holy name. AMEN
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03/11/2020
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04/11/2020
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05/11/2020(1 event)
World Tsunami Awareness DayWorld Tsunami Awareness Day |
06/11/2020(1 event)
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictInternational Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict 
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict A video (2:21) introducing this day! In the ongoing climate change catastrophe, conflicts relating to the use of natural resources, land and sheer survival are likely to increase. A PRAYER FOR THIS DAY: Creator God of peace,we pray this day for those places in the world where natural resources are destroyed in armed conflicts.We ask for leaders of all nations and groups not to weaponise the environment.We pray for dialogue to be at the heart of conflict resolution.We ask for your guidance in our own lives that we might be peacemakersfor, it is in learning to resolving individual conflicts peacefully,that we, as a global community, can learn to resolve bigger conflictswithout destroying our Common Home.We ask this in your holy name. AMEN
This is a really interesting video (2:24) from Stanford University about climate and conflict - very thought provoking!
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07/11/2020
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08/11/2020
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09/11/2020
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10/11/2020(1 event)
World Science Day for Peace and DevelopmentWorld Science Day for Peace and Development 
World Science Day for Peace and Development Here's a video (2:10) created in 2020 which outlines what World Science Day for Peace and Development is all about:
A PRAYER FOR TODAY - AVAILABLE HERE AS A 75 second VIDEO Creator God, we give thanks for the wonders of creation which science helps us understand and appreciate.
Give inspiration to all doing scientific research – as they search for insight and truth; Give determination to all who apply science - in helping us live life in all its fullness; Give wisdom to decision makers - that science might always be used for the betterment of all who share this Common Home.
We pray that science be instrumental in bringing us to that day when we will all live in peace; using, conserving and sharing equitably - the resources of this planet.
We pray this in your Holy Name. AMEN
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11/11/2020
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12/11/2020(1 event)
Diwali - the festival of light!Diwali - the festival of light! 
Diwali is the four- to five-day long Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. One of the most popular dates on the Hindu calendar, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, and takes place each year between October and November after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon. During the celebration, streets, homes, offices and shops are illuminated with light, which acts as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Over the five-day period of the festival, people prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes. The festivities reach their peak on the third day, Diwali, which falls on the darkest day of the Hindu lunar month, Kartik. On this day, revellers dress up, light up their homes with oil lamps and candles (diyas) and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. They also light fireworks and enjoy a feast with their family, sharing mithai (sweets) and gifts.
Here's a video of how different this festival might be in time of COVID-19!
A PRAYER FOR DIWALI
Light shines in darkness. Light takes away darkness. Light brings hope.
God of light, when things seem difficult or when we’re frightened or sad, and good is stronger than bad. AMEN |
13/11/2020(2 events)
Diwali - the festival of light!Diwali - the festival of light!
Diwali is the four- to five-day long Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. One of the most popular dates on the Hindu calendar, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, and takes place each year between October and November after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon. During the celebration, streets, homes, offices and shops are illuminated with light, which acts as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Over the five-day period of the festival, people prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes. The festivities reach their peak on the third day, Diwali, which falls on the darkest day of the Hindu lunar month, Kartik. On this day, revellers dress up, light up their homes with oil lamps and candles (diyas) and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. They also light fireworks and enjoy a feast with their family, sharing mithai (sweets) and gifts.
Here's a video of how different this festival might be in time of COVID-19!
A PRAYER FOR DIWALI
Light shines in darkness. Light takes away darkness. Light brings hope.
God of light, when things seem difficult or when we’re frightened or sad, and good is stronger than bad. AMEN World Kindness DayWorld Kindness Day 
Love this video - it's well worth investing 5 minutes and 44 seconds to watch it!
Now, how about doing something about it? There are a load of ideas below: CLICK HERE FOR PLENTY OF IDEAS!
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, If I cannot be brilliant, let me be kind. If I cannot change the world, let me inspire just one other to do so. If I cannot give away riches, let me be loving. Let me be known for kindness, for it is the greatest glory. Amen
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14/11/2020(2 events)
Diwali - the festival of light!Diwali - the festival of light!
Diwali is the four- to five-day long Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. One of the most popular dates on the Hindu calendar, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, and takes place each year between October and November after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon. During the celebration, streets, homes, offices and shops are illuminated with light, which acts as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Over the five-day period of the festival, people prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes. The festivities reach their peak on the third day, Diwali, which falls on the darkest day of the Hindu lunar month, Kartik. On this day, revellers dress up, light up their homes with oil lamps and candles (diyas) and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. They also light fireworks and enjoy a feast with their family, sharing mithai (sweets) and gifts.
Here's a video of how different this festival might be in time of COVID-19!
A PRAYER FOR DIWALI
Light shines in darkness. Light takes away darkness. Light brings hope.
God of light, when things seem difficult or when we’re frightened or sad, and good is stronger than bad. AMEN World Diabetes DayWorld Diabetes Day 
So how does having diabetes affect lives? CLICK HERE for a short quiz to highlight symptoms of diabetes. Here's a really great 6 minute video of Things Not To Say To Someone With Type 1 Diabetes.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, we hold before you all who are living with or are affected by diabetes and ask you to ease suffering and to quiet fears.
We give thanks for their fortitude and ability to organise and ask you to give them strength and encouragement.
We pray for those researching treatments and cures, that they will use their skills and knowledge, finding the inspiration to make diabetes a thing of the past.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN. |
15/11/2020(1 event)
Diwali - the festival of light!Diwali - the festival of light!
Diwali is the four- to five-day long Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. One of the most popular dates on the Hindu calendar, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, and takes place each year between October and November after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon. During the celebration, streets, homes, offices and shops are illuminated with light, which acts as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Over the five-day period of the festival, people prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes. The festivities reach their peak on the third day, Diwali, which falls on the darkest day of the Hindu lunar month, Kartik. On this day, revellers dress up, light up their homes with oil lamps and candles (diyas) and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. They also light fireworks and enjoy a feast with their family, sharing mithai (sweets) and gifts.
Here's a video of how different this festival might be in time of COVID-19!
A PRAYER FOR DIWALI
Light shines in darkness. Light takes away darkness. Light brings hope.
God of light, when things seem difficult or when we’re frightened or sad, and good is stronger than bad. AMEN |
16/11/2020(2 events)
Diwali - the festival of light!Diwali - the festival of light!
Diwali is the four- to five-day long Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. One of the most popular dates on the Hindu calendar, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, and takes place each year between October and November after the conclusion of harvest and to coincide with the new moon. During the celebration, streets, homes, offices and shops are illuminated with light, which acts as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Over the five-day period of the festival, people prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes. The festivities reach their peak on the third day, Diwali, which falls on the darkest day of the Hindu lunar month, Kartik. On this day, revellers dress up, light up their homes with oil lamps and candles (diyas) and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. They also light fireworks and enjoy a feast with their family, sharing mithai (sweets) and gifts.
Here's a video of how different this festival might be in time of COVID-19!
A PRAYER FOR DIWALI
Light shines in darkness. Light takes away darkness. Light brings hope.
God of light, when things seem difficult or when we’re frightened or sad, and good is stronger than bad. AMEN International Day for ToleranceInternational Day for Tolerance 
International Day for Tolerance Here's a quite wonderful video (4 mins 17 secs) Which of these people do you:
Perhaps tolerance is a simple as following the teaching of Jesus to "Treat others as you'd like to be treated!"
A PRAYER FOR TODAY While the United Nations designates today an International Day for Tolerance, we know that you, God of all people, call us to something higher, to something beyond mere tolerance. We pray that you would enable and empower us to be people of love and compassion, who actively seek the good of the other and work to to that day when people from all tribes and tongues might come together in peace, embracing and delighting in our differences. Amen
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17/11/2020
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18/11/2020
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19/11/2020(2 events)
International Men's DayInternational Men's Day 
Imagine a group of people whose members:
They're shocking statistics, aren't they? By the way, the group in question is MEN!
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? (1 mins 53 secs)
This is an INTERESTING TAKE ON WHAT IT IS TO BE A MAN (2 mins 58 secs) A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available as a 1 minute video HERE) Loving God, we hold before you especially today - the men in our lives; help all of us to deepen our understanding of gender roles and expectations; that we might live life in all its fullness, building families, communities, societies and a world of openness and acceptance. Help us not to be bound by stereotypes but to enjoy the diverse nature of every human being.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
World Toilet DayWorld Toilet Day
All of the above is not because we don't have the technology! After all, human beings went to the Moon over 50 years ago! Do we, and the governments who serve us, need to re-align some priorities?
What might you have to do if there was no toilet available? Why might this have a disproportionate effect on females? What are the possible consequences of not having a toilet?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (from CAFOD) Loving God, we pray for a world of justice where everyone has access to a toilet and clean water. May all our sisters and brothers throughout the world be able to live in the dignity they deserve as children created in your image. Amen
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20/11/2020(2 events)
World Children’s DayWorld Children’s Day 
Welcome to World Children's Day! This used to be called Universal Children's Day but the day has been re-branded!
This day was set up in 1954 by the United Nations. In 1959, the UN agreed its Declaration on the Rights of the Child. In 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child became the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, setting out a number of children’s rights including:
Here's a short but brilliant video (1 min 17 secs) from the children of Yemen!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1:00 minute video) Loving God, Jesus said "Let the children come to me" and so we pray for children around the world, that they will feel loved, valued, cared for and encouraged.
We pray for adults that they will enable children to enjoy a childhood they can look back on happily.
We pray too that all of us acknowledge each other - whatever our differences - as children made in your image, who deserve to be treated with dignity and love.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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21/11/2020
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22/11/2020
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23/11/2020
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24/11/2020
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25/11/2020(1 event)
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against WomenInternational Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 
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26/11/2020
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27/11/2020
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28/11/2020
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29/11/2020(1 event)
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian PeopleInternational Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 
This day was established way back in 1977 when the UN declared that Israel's occupation of Arab territories was illegal and that peace could only come about in the region if Israel withdrew from these places. No such withdrawal has taken place. In 2018, Maria Fernanda Espinosa (the President of the General Assembly of the UN) reported that:
The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, said on this day in 2018: "Today, in particular, our hearts are heavy with the suffering of the people in Gaza. Approximately two million Palestinians remain blocked in increasing poverty and unemployment, with limited access to adequate health, education, water and electricity. Young people see little prospect of a better future. I urge Israel to lift restrictions on the movement of people and goods, which also hamper the efforts of the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, without jeopardizing legitimate security concerns. I call on Hamas and other militant groups to halt their military build-up in Gaza, including the indiscriminate launching of rockets and incendiary devices directed at Israel. "
There seems to be little progress and, all the while, people suffer! A PRAYER FOR TODAY O Lord, You are the peace and peace emanates from You. O God of Glory and Majesty grant us security and safety, and alleviate the suffering of your people. O Lord, bring comprehensive and just peace to our country and region so that our people and the peoples of the Middle East and the whole world would enjoy the fruit of peace, stability and coexistence. We want peace for us and for our neighbours. We seek prosperity and peace of mind for ourselves and for others alike. O Lord, answer our prayers and make successful our endeavors for you are most just, most merciful, Lord of the Worlds. This prayer was offered by the Muslim President Abbas of Palestine in Rome when he met Pope Francis and Shimon Peres, the Israeli President in June 2014.
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30/11/2020(1 event)
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical WarfareDay 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 DayWorld 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(1 event)
International Day for the Abolition of SlaveryInternational 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.) |
03/12/2020(1 event)
International Day of Persons with DisabilitiesInternational 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
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05/12/2020(2 events)
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social DevelopmentInternational Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development World Soil DayWorld 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
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Let's spend a few moments imagining what it must feel like not to have a toilet.
