Reading this week's prayers is Richard Chitty. Richard served a full career in the Army, mainly in Dorset and Wiltshire and he is now semi-retired. He has been married to Caroline for 35 years and they have three children and two grandchildren (so far). They've lived in Salisbury for over 30 years and are both actively involved in the life of the church. Richard is currently a member of our PCC and sit on Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod and for the past 8 years on Bishop’s Council.
Listen to our prayers: @DioSalisbury
Read January-February's Prayers
15 January
Father God,
We pray for Hazelbury Bryan & the Hillside Parishes, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Licensed Lay Minister: James Hepburn. Almighty God, Once again the days and months of a new year stretch out before us as a blank canvas. Help us to seek your will for our endeavours in your service in these parishes and graciously grant unto us the wisdom and courage to fulfil it.
Amen.
16 January
Creator God,
Today in our prayers we pray for Marnhull, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Clergy: Gaenor Hockey and Angus Mayhew. We pray for the effectiveness and impact locally of the parish life of worship, welcome and witness at St Gregory's and working together with the other Pilgrim Group churches on joint ventures in 2024. We raise to you the staff and students at St Gregory’s CE Primary School – and the Interim Headteacher: James Stanford
Amen
17 January
Our Lord and our God,
Thank you for Okeford, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Clergy: Andrew Gubbins. We pray today for the communities, congregations and officers of Child Okeford, Hammoon, Manston, Okeford Fitzpaine and Shillingstone. We give thanks for the vibrancy of the CE VA academies of Child Okeford and Shillingstone, praying for their Heads (Jill & Jane), staff and families. Lord grant us joy in the faith, wisdom from learning, and love for our shared journey. Thank you for the staff and students at Shillingstone CE VA Primary School and Child Okeford St Nicholas CE VA Primary School In our prayers for Episcopal Churches in South Sudan and Sudan: we pray for the Rt Revd William Mading Machar, Bishop of Maper in South Sudan.
Amen
18 January
Father,
Today in our prayers we pray your blessing upon Spire Hill, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Clergy: Richard Hancock, Belinda West, Pioneer Minister: Rachel Page. We pray for Licensed Lay Minister: Judy Wait and Lay Worship Leaders: John Worth, Sue Bollen, Vinny Taylor. We pray today and give thanks for the work with the Bumblebee outreach cafe at Stourton Candle and pray for the Jesus and Jam breakfast Club to be launched in February. We pray for the four parishes all struggling financially and particularly St Mary’s Stalbridge dealing with large maintenance challenges. We pray the new 10 year benefice plan leads to growth and more involvement in the community. We pray for the rest of our ministry team and for those exploring ministry. We raise to you Stalbridge Congregational church and the good relationship that has been developed and their ministers Sandra and John. We pray for Stalbridge CofE School and all the staff and pupils and the Prayer Space we will run this term.
Amen
19 January
Lord God,
In our prayers we raise to you, Stour Vale, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Clergy: Clare Dean and Licensed Lay Ministers: Fiona Hedges, Carol Hibbert. We pray for all in need in our communities - the lonely, the sick, the bereaved, those struggling financially. For guidance and strength as we seek to respond to them. We particularly pray for our efforts to build on our ministry in Stower Provost School and the events in the local pubs.
Amen
20 January
Living God,
Thank you for Sturminster Newton, Hinton St Mary and Lydlinch, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Clergy: Mary Gubbins, Eric Woods, Roger Townley, Lorraine McGregor. We pray for Sturminster as they seek to continue to bless our parishes in familiar and new ways, and grow together as a mutually supportive Benefice and part of the Pilgrim Group of Churches. We pray for all who enable the life and witness of our church communities and for people to join them.
Amen
21 January
On today, Third Sunday of Epiphany
We raise in our prayers to you, Shaftesbury, Blackmore Vale Deanery and its Clergy: Donna Gibbs, Helen Williams, Maggie Crosbie. We pray for the Shaftesbury Benefice as they develop the vision in their area, which includes growing in vocation. We give thanks for our Team Vicar Helen Williams and curate Maggie Crosbie And for local schools: Shaftesbury CE VC Primary School Motcombe CE VA Primary School Shaftesbury The Abbey CE VA Primary School Shaftesbury VC School In our Anglican Cycle of Prayer: we pray for The Church of South India (United)
Amen