My Calendar

Events in January 2024

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
01/01/2024(1 event)

Mary, the Holy Mother of God


01/01/2024

02/01/2024
03/01/2024
04/01/2024(1 event)

World Braille Day


04/01/2024

Here's a video (3:30) about how braille came to be devised, created, invented!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Loving God, we give thanks for the ingenuity and determination of Louis Braille

and we ask you help us to notice and respond creatively and generously to our own needs and those of others.

We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

 

 

05/01/2024
06/01/2024(1 event)

Traditional date for the Epiphany


06/01/2024

07/01/2024
08/01/2024(1 event)

International Awareness Day for Human Trafficking


08/01/2024

09/01/2024
10/01/2024
11/01/2024
12/01/2024
13/01/2024
14/01/2024
15/01/2024
16/01/2024
17/01/2024
18/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

19/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

20/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

21/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

22/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

23/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

24/01/2024(2 events)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

International Day of Education


24/01/2024

Do you ever really reflect on education and what it means?  Today is a day set aside by the United Nations to focus on that.  So have a great day!

Here's a short video(1:30) that you might enjoy watching!

What do you think we can learn from it?

This one is really special too (2:07).  As you watch it, try to walk in the shoes of those who are shown.

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Loving God,

all children are born with a curiosity to learn about their world.

Help us to nurture that curiosity so that it never wains.

Where education is denied, inspire and empower leaders and decision makers to make it available.

Where opportunities for education are ignored, touch the hearts of those who ignore it

that they might be inspired afresh to see its relevance.

Help educators to see education as a mission, a vocation, an opportunity to transform lives

And help us never to lose our sense of purpose

to make this world a place of peace and justice where love reigns supreme.

 

We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  AMEN 

 

 

25/01/2024(1 event)

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity


18/01/2024 25/01/2024

It is a source of pain for many Christians that there are divisions among them.  There are so many different Christian churches and it's good to focus on what we share rather than what we disagree on.

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to encourage us to live life in all its fullness and to teach us to treat others as we'd like to be treated.  His life of healing, sharing and sacrifice is a wonderful example for us and his death and resurrection demonstrates that goodness and light will ultimately defeat evil and darkness!

While we may not be able directly to heal the divisions among churches, we can take the opportunity to maybe heal some of the relationships in our lives.   Maybe a phone call or a message sent this week could be the first step to reconciliation.

 

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Loving God,

as we feel the pain of past mistakes and conflicts,

help us not to give in to resentment or guilt.

Give us humility and strength to take the first steps

in healing wounds with our fellow human beings

irrespective of their denomination or religious views.

Send your Holy Spirit to remind us that we are all part of the same body,

the same community of humanity,

fellow citizens of a world that is groaning

and needs us to work together!

We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Questions

  • What are the important things we need to carry with us as we journey together towards unity?
  • What things might we need to let go of as we journey together towards unity?
  • What challenges does that bring?
  • What are our shared hopes for our community?
  • What might our common prayers for our community be?

 

26/01/2024
27/01/2024(1 event)

Holocaust Memorial Day


27/01/2024

27th January 1945 was the day Allied Forces liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp.   Each year we mark this date in memory of those who died in The Holocaust and in the genocides which have happened since.

Below are a set of resources which support this:

Irena Sendler - a remarkable story (3:30) - including a prayer

What is Holocaust Memorial Day (1:27) - a video charting HMD and genocides since The Holocaust.

An animated video of Anne Frank (3:03) - the author of a famous diary.

A multi-faith prayer (1:30) - written collaboratively by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chief Rabbi and the Chief Iman,

Jacob's story (2:43) - a survivor's recollections

Nazi Boots (5:41) - a survivor's story

A one-minute prayer for HMD (1:00)

 

 

 

28/01/2024
29/01/2024
30/01/2024
31/01/2024
01/02/2024(2 events)

LGBT+ History Month


01/02/2024 28/02/2024

Here's a beautiful reading by Lois of I Rise - a poem by Maya Angelou - along with information about some LGBT+ sportspeople who have risen to overcome challenges. (3:00)

A PRAYER FOR THIS MONTH - (as a 1:00 video)

There are some informative resources at this website: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/

Let's get the language right!  (Can you unscramble to letters to get the right terms - 2:15 video including an invitation to prayer.)

 

World Hijab Day


01/02/2024

On February 1st of every year, World Hijab Day Organization asks global citizens of all faiths and backgrounds to wear the Hijab (head-covering) for a day in solidarity with Muslim women worldwide. The motto for World Hijab Day 2020 is “Unity in Diversity” with the hashtag #EmpoweredInHijab.

The overall mission of WHD is to create a more peaceful world where global citizens respect each other. Particularly, WHD focuses on fighting bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women. This is most crucial in these times where Hijab is being banned in some countries while in other countries, Muslim women are being targeted and harassed verbally and physically.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Loving God,

we pray for all who choose to wear the hijab as an expression of faith and identity;

that they will be shown understanding and respect.

We pray, too,  for a world where diversity is embraced

and peace, justice and equality are the norm.

 

We pray this in your holy name. AMEN 

02/02/2024(3 events)

LGBT+ History Month


01/02/2024 28/02/2024

Here's a beautiful reading by Lois of I Rise - a poem by Maya Angelou - along with information about some LGBT+ sportspeople who have risen to overcome challenges. (3:00)

A PRAYER FOR THIS MONTH - (as a 1:00 video)

There are some informative resources at this website: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/

Let's get the language right!  (Can you unscramble to letters to get the right terms - 2:15 video including an invitation to prayer.)

 

The Founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame (1804)


02/02/2024

A special day for us!!!!!

Here's a video (2:30) explaining why!

 

 

The Presentation of the Lord


02/02/2024

03/02/2024(1 event)

LGBT+ History Month


01/02/2024 28/02/2024

Here's a beautiful reading by Lois of I Rise - a poem by Maya Angelou - along with information about some LGBT+ sportspeople who have risen to overcome challenges. (3:00)

A PRAYER FOR THIS MONTH - (as a 1:00 video)

There are some informative resources at this website: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/

Let's get the language right!  (Can you unscramble to letters to get the right terms - 2:15 video including an invitation to prayer.)

 

04/02/2024(3 events)

LGBT+ History Month


01/02/2024 28/02/2024

Here's a beautiful reading by Lois of I Rise - a poem by Maya Angelou - along with information about some LGBT+ sportspeople who have risen to overcome challenges. (3:00)

A PRAYER FOR THIS MONTH - (as a 1:00 video)

There are some informative resources at this website: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/

Let's get the language right!  (Can you unscramble to letters to get the right terms - 2:15 video including an invitation to prayer.)

 

Birthday of Rosa Parks


04/02/2024

This is a biographical video (3:16) of Rosa Parks.

This a longer video (11:28) which is an excellent resource (part of the BBC Teach series) - well worth spending a few days of Sacred Time exploring this.

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (CLICK HERE for a 1:00 video of this prayer)

Loving God,

We give thanks for the life of Rosa Parks who sat down for justice,

so millions of others could stand up in dignity.

 

We are thankful for her generous spirit and quiet courage

that gave hope to so many.

 

She remains a role model for us,

reminding us what one person can do

to challenge injustice in a peaceful way.

 

We do not know what impact our words and actions may have.

But may we, like Rosa, take those small steps

that can open the way to a better world.

 

We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

World Cancer Day


04/02/2024

This is a great video (2:15) which gives a motivational overview of cancer.   It was produced for World Cancer Day 2019 but remains relevant!

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY  (CLICK HERE for a 45 second video of this prayer)

Loving God, we ask you to bless all whose lives are affected by cancer.

 

Empower them with hope and give them opportunities

for love and laughter each and every day.

 

Give strength to their family and friends who are supporting and caring for them

and help their medical professionals to use all their experience, wisdom and compassion.

 

We ask this in your holy name! AMEN