by Neal | Sep 30, 2012 | Link Parish, News, Transforming Lives |
As some of you will be aware, our Vicar, Rev Amanda Barraclough, is currently in Tanzania taking part in two Rooted in Jesus Conferences in Morogoro, Tanzania, where Wakefield’s link Diocese of Mara is, as well as St Mary’s link parish of Ikizu is situated.
Updates since Amanda’s trip started have just come through so below is a digest of updates so far via the group praying for them in the UK. I will post further updates as they arrive:
Monday 24th September
I have this morning received a message from the team in Morogoro:
“positive team meeting; raring to go; good sense of God’s promises & opportunities for conferences. Particular request for protection – armoured up; for unity & effective working as team; prayer too for those travelling to Morogoro today”. God bless you in your praying. Jonathan
Please pray, as they ask, for the Lord’s protection over them and for each one to put on and have confidence in the armour of God – Ephesians 6. We ourselves also need to put on the armour, so that we and they are all free from attacks of the evil one. Ask Him, too, that team members may each be bound in trust and love to Christ and to each other.
Please ask the Lord for safe passage for all who are travelling to Morogoro today, for the Rooted in Jesus conference starting tomorrow. Pray that God will bring safely in all of His children that He has called to be there.
Yesterday they sent us a scripture, which seems to help inform our praying:
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thess. 5: 12-13.
Tuesday 25th September
An encouraging message came from Jonathan this evening:
26 delegates arrived safely today. We have been received well. We hear good stories with honesty of the impact of RinJ over the past year. Difficulties and challenges shared openly. Clear signs of people engaging with the Holy Spirit during the ministry time. Prayer please esp for those more aware of the challenges and disappointments than the joys of their groups over the year – but they have come to the Conference! Team tired but working well together”.
Jonathan x
I have a sense from this of strong engagement with what is going on at the conference, i.e. that ‘battle is joined’. This leads me to think that we should be praying spiritual protection and the Lord’s armour over everyone there. I’m reminded of Jonathan’s request yesterday: “Particular request for protection – armoured up …”
The belt of Truth; the breastplate of Righteousness; the shoes of Peace; the helmet of Salvation; the shield of Faith; the Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6: 10-20.) Our God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He has the victory. Praise Him!
An intercessor sent a word: ‘His banner over them is love’.
Friday 28th September
Another positive message from the Morogoro team yesterday evening:
Very clear God is taking attendees deeper into himself & in work of RinJ at this conference. Powerful & encouraging testimonies of God’s activity & healing thus far. Excitement of first time trainees at naming people to invite to their new RinJ groups. Prayer please for attendees as they return home tomorrow afternoon: protection & on God’s on-going work. Team keeping well: anticipating a few days rest and relax in preparation for second conf. Thanks to other half of team – the intercessors, God bless you.
We give glory to the Lord in thanksgiving for His amazing presence and work among them all.
Please note that ‘tomorrow afternoon’ means today, Friday, so please pray for the delegates today, if you are free to do so, as they leave the wonderfully blessed experience of the conference and return to life at home, that they may be protected and may lose nothing of all that God has given them this week.
Remember especially those who were already RinJ group leaders, who were described earlier this week as ‘those more aware of the challenges and disappointments than the joys of their groups over the year’ that they may be encouraged and strengthened and be able to continue the good work they have already undertaken.
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Psalm 111:1,10
by Neal | Jul 1, 2012 | News, Transforming Lives |
The latest edition of the Wakefield Diocese Newsletter is out. You can download a copy here.
If you look closely, you can see a photo of the Jubilee celebrations at St Mary’s!!
by Neal | Jun 9, 2012 | News, Social |
It’s nearly that time of year again!! The St Mary’s Garden Party is on Saturday 23rd June from 10.30am to 3.00pm.
As usual (apart from last year when it chucked it down!) it will be held in the Vicarage Garden and this year we have lots to see and do.
- Treasure Hunt
- Bouncy Castle
- Refreshments
- Plant Stall
- Lucky Dip
- Barbecue
- Tombola
- Children’s Games
- Crazy Golf
- and much more!
Everybody is welcome, make sure you tell all your family and friends, and come along for a fun-packed afternoon!
by Neal | Jun 3, 2012 | News, Social |
St Mary’s celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in style on Saturday evening with Woodkirk’s take on Last Night of the Proms.
The church was adorned with Union Flags, leading down the path, into the porch and down the sides of the nave, into the choir and a large Union Flag hanging before the chancel.
We were very fortunate to welcome the award-winning Rodillian Singers (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rodillian-Singers/29360416865), and Yeadon Hand Bell Ringers. We were also very fortunate to welcome soloist Katie Raynor who has just completed a Performing Arts Degree.
The audience were provided with suitable attire with Union Flag bowler hats, and provided with flags.
After a wonderful mixture of music, the evening ended with the end of the Last Night favourites, belted out with gusto by the audience.
The celebrations continued on Sunday with a Big Jubilee Sunday Lunch. Canapes, full roast, desert, cheese and biscuits and tea and coffee was a wonderful celebration.
by Neal | May 8, 2012 | News, Social |
We have a great weekend in store for the Jubilee with two fantastic events.
It all starts on Saturday 2nd June at 7.30pm with a Woodkirk version of Last Night of the Proms. The Rodillian singers have very kindly agreed to come along and produce a programme of national favourites. The church will be suitably trimmed with Union Flag bunting and with everyone receiving hats and flags to wave; this is going to be an evening to remember. We are sure you will need your voices to join in some of the songs on the night. Let’s celebrate and get the weekend off to flying start.
Yes there’s more!
On Sunday 3rd June, the church will be holding a Big Sunday Lunch. The four course lunch will be held, hopefully on the Vicarage lawn. Lunch will be served at 1.30pm.
The lunch will consist of Canapés to start, Roast Beef or Chicken with all the trimmings, choice of puddings, cheese and biscuits and tea or coffee. Also a Jubilee quiz prepared by Mr Quiz himself, Albert Shaw.
It would also be great if we could display any personal mementoes of the Coronation that people might have, either family photos of the time or items that they received.
Tickets are available from Betty or Gary and are prices as follows: Concert tickets are Adults £8, Children (5-16) £4, under 5 free. Family ticket £20 (2 adults and up to 3 children).
Lunch numbers are strictly limited and are priced at: Adults £7, Children £4 (12 and under).
This is going to be a great weekend for St Mary’s and we hope that you will join in the celebrations!
by Neal | Apr 8, 2012 | Children, News, Services, Special Services |
This superb banner was made by children at the Children’s Activity Morning last Saturday. Each child made a butterfly to represent the new life of Easter, and they were all stuck to this banner which was hung high above the chancel of the church for Easter Sunday!
As some of you will be aware, our Vicar, Rev Amanda Barraclough, is currently in Tanzania taking part in two Rooted in Jesus Conferences in Morogoro, Tanzania, where Wakefield’s link Diocese of Mara is, as well as St Mary’s link parish of Ikizu is situated.
Posted with Blogsy
