When the four parishes of Apedale committed themselves to prayer in response to Bishop Richard's Day of Prayer for Generosity, they could hardly have anticipated how powerful their faithful witness might prove. What began as a day of prayer resulted in an unexpected windfall of £1,700 of donations and, more significantly, a series of unexpected conversations with people beyond the church walls.
Through this day of prayer, the Holy Spirit's work has extended far beyond financial generosity, opening hearts and creating opportunities for Gospel witness – doubting Thomas, take note!
"We approached this day hoping and praying to find new ways to serve our community better," said Revd Lisa Harper, who walked around all four parishes in the benefice and prayed in each church on the day. "What has unfolded has exceeded our expectations – not just in the generous financial response, but in the relationships that are beginning to unfold. We're seeing people engage with the church, and we want to encourage them to feel that they might be part of what we're doing here."
The £1,700 raised has been divided equally among the four Apedale parishes, with funds specifically designated for community engagement initiatives. While concrete plans are still taking shape through prayer and consultation, thoughts are centred around food and fun.
The planned gatherings, whilst not explicitly church services, will feature gentle promotional materials highlighting future activities and opportunities for deeper involvement in church life, explains Revd Lisa. “The vision is to create welcoming spaces where relationships can develop naturally.”
The approach reflects the parishes' commitment to demonstrating God's love through practical service whilst remaining open to conversations about faith. Rather than simply asking for community support, the churches are focused on showing how they can support local families and individuals.
"We want people to know that their local church is here for them," Revd Lisa explained. "Whether someone feels called to join us for worship, volunteer with our activities, or simply knows we're a place they can turn to when life gets difficult – that's what matters. We're building bridges, not barriers."
The success of the Day of Prayer in Apedale demonstrates how a faithful response, rooted in prayer and genuine care for community, can bear unexpected fruit. As conversations continue and plans develop, these four parishes are discovering that generosity – both given and received – creates new opportunities that extend beyond a single day of prayer.