Churches representing Christians from across 7 parishes in south Shropshire came together last weekend in a special Prayer service to mark the start of our Year of Prayer across the diocese.
The service followed the festival of light in January, where representatives from across the 400 plus churches of the diocese came together at Hereford Cathedral and each deanery representative received a special candle, blessed by the Dean, the Very Revd Sarah Brown and Bishop of Hereford, The Rt Revd Richard Jackson. The local service held in St Michael’s Church, Madeley, commended the candle to the 7 churches of the deanery and recommitted them to establish regular patterns of prayer in all its many forms.
The service reflected a breadth of different traditions and ways of prayer, with each church providing a ‘Prayer Corner’ with a photo and prayer board lit with candles and prayers for the world, the wider community, and the church.
Carolyn Simkin, Deanery Lay chair, explains: “It was with joyous hearts that we gave our thanks for His presence in our lives and ‘raised the roof’ as we sang hymns of light and praise to our Lord God who blesses us each day with his love. It was wonderful to have time together and chat with friends old and new and pray for one another where there was a need.”
The Ven Fiona Gibson, Archdeacon of Ludlow, said: “It was a wonderful service to attend. We welcomed the candle back to this deanery which is one of the furthest points north in our diocese. The service was joyful and there was a firm commitment from those present to pray together as churches across this deanery. I am excited to see how plans unfold..”