We will be wearing our Christmas Jumpers between Thursday the 10th and Sunday the 13th to help raise money for Save the Children. Last year our church community, helped by those who joined us for Carols by Candlelight, raised £446.54 - we hope despite the restrictions we are facing to increase that total - can you help us? Go to our Justgiving page here

Thy Kingdom Come Partnership

Northern Beaches Anglicans, Woolgoolga, NSW, Australia 

PARISH PROFILE

Northern Beaches Anglicans is a unique parish in our Diocese. A one church centre that ministers to the central seaside town of Woolgoolga (approx. 6,000), eight seaside communities to our north and south (approx. 12,000) and some small hinterland populated areas. It is 26 km from one end of the parish to another. Apart from Woolgoolga the other communities are essentially residential communities with only corner stores. Four primary schools and one high school, nursing home and developing over 55’s communities

There are two large Sikh temples in Woolgoolga with about 20% of the population being Indian. There is a growing multicultural population. Lots of residential development happening and proposed.

Though there are other Christian denominations, David and Simon are the only fulltime clergy living on the Northern Beaches. Northern Beaches is the means of self-identification for our communities all of which are in the northern area of the Coffs Harbour City Council.

The biggest industry is the rural industry of blueberry growing dominated by our Sikh citizens. It attracts thousands of backpackers and itinerant workers. We are a popular tourist destination. Lots of retirees live in the parish.

St Andrew’s Church, Kinson, Dorset, UK

PARISH PROFILE

St Andrew's Kinson is located in the north of Bournemouth and serves the suburbs of Kinson, and Northbourne (approx 14,000). The area is residential with retail business primarily situated in the main high street of Kinson. We have two primary schools and a relatively new nursing home. 

The last census was carried out in 2011. From the parish snapshot that was carried out at that time, over 94% of the parish is white British and 98% of those living here have English as their main spoken language. Other ethnic groups represented would include people who identify as Eastern European, Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean, Gypsy or Irish Traveller and Arab. All these groups individually represent less than 1% of population.

Some of the social needs in our community are highlighted in the following statistics: 29% of households are lone parents with children; 23% of children under 16 are living in poverty; 22% of people over 60 years of age are in receipt of the State Pension Credit (low income related benefit).

The parish is also home to two mainstream denominations: Methodist and Catholic.

PRAYER POINTS

1. The Local Church - Northern Beaches Anglican 

Clergy: David and Leone  Simon and Alison  Pam

Parish Council members – that God will raise up next generation of leaders

Weekly services:  Sunday@8  Sunday@10  Armchair Church in nursing home

Small groups that this year we will increase the number of groups and grow more leadership for them.

Fresh starts when we are able to meet together again.

Pray Colossians 1:9-14 for the 90 families/singles in our Parish Directory. 

Pray for the growing number of women in our parish with non-Christian husbands.

That we will grow our cradle to the grave focus in ministry.

The Local Church - St Andrew’s 

Clergy:  Lee and Rachel Darren and Steph

Parish Council Members as they seek to lead the church fellowship in Mission and Ministry.

Weekly Services: Daily Prayer (Mon-Sat) Thursday Communion @ 11:30   Sunday @ 9:30

For our young families who are balancing home education and the spiritual needs of our young disciples.

For Messy Church as a young congregation; that it would provide a space for the gospel to take root in the lives of those who attend. That it would increase in regularity and in offering opportunities for the community to grow and for discipleship to take place.

That our commitment to the Vine Project will continue to become embedded in our church DNA..

That we would continue to grow in maturity as disciple-making disciples.

That our LIFE Groups would continue to offer places of Establishing members in their faith and Equipping them for faithful Christian service.

That we can equip and establish more leaders for our LIFE Groups.

For the PCC as they develop LIFE Groups and our Pastoral Partnership Programme.

Our Outreach Activities - Northern Beaches Anglican 

That in general those who attended the following activities will return after lockdown

Play and Stay - group for mums with preschool children

WiFY – Year 4- Year 8 youth group many members from non Christian, dysfunctional families

Op Shop as it resumes trading, provides cheap clothing and goods for needy families that our conversations with people will turn into connections

Wisdom in making connections with large local Sikh community and growing numbers of backpackers and itinerant workers from all over the world

Wisdom about growing online ministry that COVID19 forced us to begin

Potential for planting new congregations to the north and south of Woolgoolga

Our Outreach Activities - St Andrew’s 

Little Angels - Carer & Toddler Group

Messy Church - wisdom as we explore online options for connecting with members.

Foodbank - www.kinsonwesthowe.foodbank.org.uk

HOTS - Healing on the Streets

TLG - Transforming Lives for Good and those currently committed to serving in this mission - Sue S, Jane, Tracy, Lee and Jon - www.tlg.org.uk

For wisdom and discernment in how to reach the community, whilst we can’t organise our usual activities

Romans 10: 14 - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Local Community - Northern Beaches Anglican

Special Religious Education in our local schools - interdenominational ministry - raising up of more teachers from other churches

Ministry to locals most affected economically from the pandemic. There has been no loss of life and very, very limited infection rates

Creative ways to reach active over 60’s in our communities who largely seem immune to the gospel

Current focus through Simon and Alison is ministry to families

Surf and sport are the powerful local idols we seek to break down

Local Community - St Andrew’s 

Our local Primary Schools: Kinson Academy and Christ the King Catholic Primary 

Local Businesses – particularly those facing closure.

People in need – poverty, homelessness, sickness, stress, relationships, etc.

Our neighbours.

That as individuals and as a local fellowship we can witness and evangelise to our community.

Jeremiah 29:7 - Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

The Wider Church - Northern Beaches Anglican

We are part of an orthodox group of parishes in a liberal Diocese.

Relationships are complex. We comprise the spiritually healthiest churches in the Diocese.

A relatively new Bishop with whom we enjoy a godly, constructive relationship.

Diocese is going through a major restructuring of parishes due to long period of decline and growing number of unviable parishes.

Pray for wisdom and for gospel opportunities in this restructure.

The Wider Church - St Andrew’s 

For Unity in seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness.

That faithfulness to the Gospel would be the number 1 priority.

That Church Leaders in our Diocese would not be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and promote the Great Commission as their chief concern.

That opportunities for engaging in the mission of Jesus would also feature alongside social action.

2 Corinthians 13: 11 - Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

The Persecuted Church - Northern Beaches Anglican 

Role of GAFCON in supporting persecuted churches throughout the Anglican Communion

And we join together in praying for the following prayer points:

The Persecuted Church - St Andrew’s 

See www.opendoorsuk.org for more information regarding individual countries.

Three major trends have shaped persecution against Christians this year:

• Authoritarian states are clamping down and using legal regulations to control religion.
• Ultra-nationalists are depicting Christians as ‘alien’ or ‘western’ and trying to drive them out.
• Radical Islam has moved from the Middle East to sub-Saharan Africa.

Freedom for the Gospel to be preached in all nations.

The work of Open Doors and other agencies who work for a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is remembered and supported by other Christians.

1 Corinthians 12:26 - "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it..."

The World - Northern Beaches Anglican

We join together in praying for the following prayer points:

The World - St Andrew’s 

World Leaders.

Peace between nations and people groups.

The environmental issues that face Australia, the UK and the world.

Poverty.

Refugees.

Homelessness.

1 Timothy 2: 1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Effects of Coronavirus - Northern Beaches Anglican 

Praise for God’s mercy on Australia including our local communities.

Pray for responsible behaviour throughout the nation as restrictions ease.

That Christians will learn what God is teaching us.

That people would repent and turn their heart toward God in the midst of fear and insecurity.

Effects of Coronavirus - St Andrew’s 

The Sick.

Medical staff and all front-line workers.

Those who do not have access to sanitation, healthcare etc.

Those who have lost their jobs/livelihoods.

The lonely and isolated.

Wisdom for Governments for the next step.

The search for vaccine and treatment.

2 Chronicles 7: 14 - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Healing for Specific Needs - Northern Beaches Anglican 

Particular prayer for our Deacon Pam recovering from serious illness.

Prayer for young and not so young members of our parish family battling depression and other forms of mental illness.

Healing of Specific Needs - St Andrew’s 

Physical

Emotional

Mental

Spiritual

James 5: 14-15 - Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 1And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

Our Mission Partners - Northern Beaches Anglican 

Church Missionary Society.

The Bush Church Aid Society BCA.

Anglican Aid.

For our mission partner M in an undisclosed location in the Middle East for peace of mind during the pandemic, concerns for her family back in Australia, for gospel opportunities amongst the women and families she has grown friendships with, patience in language learning.

For our BCA partner church in the small isolated township of Coober Pedy, South Australia seeking a new minister for nearly 2 years. 

Our Mission Partners - St Andrew's

For Lex and Alan serving with CMS in South East Asia:

We especially pray:

Thanks for the safe arrival of Micah and how smoothly everything went.

For wisdom for the government and the country to move forward in the best way. There are now no active cases in the country. The government is remaining cautious.

For Lex's school (and all educational facilities), as it tries the navigate the current situation.

Many schools have closed for good already and the country heavily relies on private institutions to provide education. 

For our budget and fundraising needs - we still need more funds to meet our budget. 

For good health and development for Joshua, Caleb and latest addition: Micah (born 14th May)

For the work of our Patrons The Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), particularly in relation to their children & Youth camps Ventures (ages 8-18) that have all had to be cancelled this year. That God will enable CPAS to bridge the £150,000 cost of non-recoverable losses due to this last minute adjustment in their 2020 programme.

For the work of our partners Good News of Peace and Development in Rwanda (GNPDR) and its vision to equip, educate and thus empower specific groups of marginalised Rwandan people to lift themselves out of poverty, and to promote and uphold peace within the Rwandan communities that it serves.

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Missionaries and Aid Workers - Northern Beaches Anglican

We join together in praying for the following prayer points:

Missionaries and Aid Workers - St Andrew’s 

All those sharing the gospel in word and deed across the world.

Safety.

That God would provide for their needs.

Opportunities to share God’s love would increase.

Specific Organisations such as Tearfund, CMS, SIM, CMF, Samaritan's Purse, etc.

Matthew 28: 19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age

Our Five People - Northern Beaches Anglican 

We join in praying for the following prayer points:

Our Five People - St Andrew’s

Opportunities to share the Good News with the 5 people we have been praying for this week. 

That God will open their minds and soften their hearts.

1 Peter 3: 15 -  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Praise and Thanksgiving - Northern Beaches Anglican 

For the deepening prayer life of our parish.

For much answered prayer, blessing, grace and mercy during the 10 years of David and Leone’s ministry and the 3 years of Simon and Alison’s ministry.

For the potential for ongoing gospel growth, not just in our parish but in our region within the Diocese .

Praise and Thanksgiving - St Andrew’s

Give thanks that God hears our prayers.

For the engagement of church family members in online means of connecting during the Coronavirus pandemic.

For our financial stability as a parish, though tight. That God has provided for our needs through the generosity of our members who have responding to the call.

For the spiritual growth we are experiencing as individuals and a church fellowship.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.