It's all about team work

I am posting this a little early as I am unsure that I will be able to write it tomorrow.  This afternoon (Friday) I have to go to hospital for some minor surgery.  Although it is minor and will be dealt with on a Day Surgery Unit it requires a general anaesthetic and I have been advised to take it easy for the following several days.  I have therefore cleared my diary for the whole of next week.

So on this occasion there is not biblical reflection and nothing particularly about my activities so I can stand back and ask for prayer on a wider basis.  So here are some broad outlines and a glimpse into the wider ministry circle.

Congregational Colleagues
Although the Congregational Federation is a relatively small denomination there is so much to be thankful for including the support staff in our offices headed up by our General Secretary, Michael Heaney.  I am especially encouraged by the investment that has been made in encouraging and enabling mission.  So much to thank God for.  But I ask your prayers for two colleagues in ministry, both called Elaine, and both battling serious forms of cancer.

Rural Evangelism Network
Please give thanks for our new committee and pray for us.  I have to arrange a committee meeting soon from which we will be developing an agenda in accordance with decisions of our members.  There are other matters that arise out of REN.

Country Way
This is such a fantastic magazine and it is a privilege to be part of the editorial group.  We started out many years ago as an independent magazine produced collaboratively and REN was one of the partners.  I was the first Chairman of the publishing company and chaired editorial meetings over several years.  During this time we felt that it would be best to gift the magazine to the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) but continue to publish it on a collaborative basis.  The ARC have really carried the work and costs since its beginning.  The current editor is Jill Hopkinson, the national Rural Officer for the Church of England.  Her predecessor and the original editor is Jeremy Martineau.  Both Jill and Jeremy are really great people.  Please give thanks for the editorial team and the success of this fantastic magazine.  Please pray as we are developing an on line version and would love to see the number of subscribers (both printed and on line versions) increase substantially.  It is a key resource for information, ideas and inspiration.

Rural Ministry Colleagues
I have so many good friends and could not possibly mention all buy name, so here are just a few for your prayers.  Simon Martin a staff member at ARC who has been unwell with various issues over recent months.  Jerry Marshall who now heads up the important ministry of the ARC.  Graham Jones who is the Methodist and URC Rural national Officer also based at ARC.  Stephen Cope and Ron Spillards who both recently lost their wives after long periods of illness.

International Congregational Fellowship
Do please look up the website at www.intercong.org.  You can also find us on Facebook.  Four years ago I was appointed as its Communications Officer and I also convene a Structures Commission.  There is not a great deal of work normally but this has intensified as we have a quadrennial international conference 29th July to 2nd August at Brunel University, West London.  Please pray for Val Price and Phaedon Cambouropoulos our Co-Modrators and for Geraint Tudur who will take over the role from the Conference.  Give thanks for all who are working hard behind the scenes to make this a successful event.  Please pray also for enthusiastic and able people who will take over my roles.

Yelvertoft
When Doreen and I left Herstmonceux, East Sussex, we wondered if we would ever find such a wonderful ministry experience.  Ministry at Yelvertoft Congregational Church, though different to Herstmonceux, is an equal blessing.  The whole congregation is like a ministry team, the village has welcomed us and our work, the church has grown spiritually and numerically and we have such good friends in other churches in the village and area. For your prayers we are just starting to establish a new aspect in the life of the church and ask your prayers for wisdom.  Give thanks for those who take some of the services in my place, Gordon Temple, John Harris and Angela Berry.  Gordon will be there this Sunday.

Rural Mission Solutions
Although this is the major part of my ministry I will not write much at this time.  Please pray for my colleague, Monica Cook, still not 100% recovered from her accident during ministry in Malawi recently.  Give thanks for a good team of trustees.  Please pray for the East Midlands Support and Management Team as our Chairperson has now left to take up a new and exciting ministry within the Congregational Federation.  Our prayers go with Suzanne Nockells.  We give God thanks for increased income (much needed) at the start of the year.  Prayer and financial support for all aspects of this ministry is needed and many of our supporters are ageing and have limited income.

YOU!
I firmly believe that all members of the Body of Christ are of equal importance and value.  God has made us to be interdependent.  We need one another.  Some that receive this via email or who look it up on the internet pray earnestly.  Some pray very early in the mornings; others pray late into the night.  Some pray every day; some pray after receiving the news.  However you pray and whatever you are able to do practically to help - you are a vital part of my life and I give God thanks for you.

Barry