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Prayer Partners' Newsletter December 2017

Happy Christmas everyone!

I don't know about you but I'm struggling to believe that we are at the end of another year and are almost half way through Advent.
I feel sure that you have all got lots to do but once again, we want to share with you what we have been doing and ask if you would stand with us in prayer as we enter another year of Transforming Lives in Chester Diocese.

Together Grant for Tameside South and Longdendale Food Bank

Mayor of Tameside opens new extension at Hattersley Baptist Church.

The foodbank of Tameside South and Longdendale which includes the churches of St Michael and All Angels, Mottram, St Mary's, Hollingworth, Hollingworth Methodists, Hattersley Baptists and Mottram Evangelical Church applied, through TLT for a Together Grant to help to fund an extension which would improve their warehouse for food bank. We were delighted to help and were even more thrilled to hear that they also have succeeded in creating a great space for a Job Club and for children's work in the holidays.
The Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Joyce Bowerman opened the extension recently and was delighted with what was being provided.
Please pray for all of our food banks, especially as Christmas approaches.
(Sadly, we also have to announce the closure of the Together Grant. CUF have announced recently that this facility is no longer available).

We were recently invited to facilitate a PCC Away Day for a parish who were keen to explore Asset Based Community Development and what it might mean for them.
It was a day of blessing and we are delighted to have opportunities such as this and Know Your Church, Know Your Neighbourhood to spread a movement of engaging with communities and exploring how our churches can Transform Lives in their locality.
Please pray that more churches can be inspired to look at ways in which they can make a difference to their neighbourhood, wherever that may be.

Together Wirral- ecumenical group has recently been formed to encourage and support churches working together on the Wirral. The group aims also to develop communication between churches and statutory sector. Concerned with evangelism and social action aspects of mission. TLT began discussions at an event earlier this year.
Please pray for unity and fellowship in the group and beyond into their churches.

In November we took part in the #We Stand Together event in Tarporley which was hosted by Redeeming Our Communities and Cheshire Constabulary. It was great to see so many churches and other faith groups come together with a common goal, 'to make kinder communities'.
In our work with individuals and churches we often hear stories about the small acts of kindness which go on in towns and villages, schools, workplaces and what a difference those considerate people have made.
Please join us in praying for those communities where those people who 'make a difference' can be strengthened and encouraged.

As we mentioned last time, we are seeing growth across the Diocese in the number of churches who want to get involved in providing food and fun for children in the school holidays.
In September we ran another networking event for interested leaders to explore how their churches might get involved.
They were a great group of people who were both inspired and inspirational in their ideas and commitment.
Please pray that they will recruit enough volunteers and will be blessed to be a blessing to all who enjoy their endeavours.

Once again, please accept our grateful thanks for your prayers and support. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends, neighbours, colleagues and churches.

Kath Leigh
Lead Community Builder
kath.leigh@tltogether.org.uk

Wendy Robertson
Community Builder
wendy.robertson@tltogether.org.uk

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