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1st February 2026
Candlemas
Candlemas, celebrated on 2 February, marks a beautiful turning point in the
Church’s year - the moment we look back to the light of Christmas and forward
toward the shadows of Lent. It recalls the day when Mary and Joseph brought
the infant Jesus to the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognised him as the
promised light to the nations.
As Simeon held the Christ Child, his eyes saw salvation - not power or grandeur, but divine love made visible in vulnerability. Candlemas invites us to that same vision: to recognise Christ’s light shining in ordinary lives, homes, and communities.
Traditionally, this feast is when candles are blessed, symbols of Christ’s light
guiding us through the dark and uncertain places of life. It reminds us that we
too are called to bear that light - not only within the safety of church walls, but
in workplaces, families, and the wider world.
As we cross this threshold from Epiphany’s brightness into Lent’s reflection, may
we carry the light of Christ with courage and hope, trusting that his presence
will never fade.
Light of the World, shine in our hearts and homes. As Simeon rejoiced to see your glory, may we recognise your presence and share your light. Guide us faithfully into the way of peace. Amen.
Candlemas, celebrated on 2 February, marks a beautiful turning point in the
Church’s year - the moment we look back to the light of Christmas and forward
toward the shadows of Lent. It recalls the day when Mary and Joseph brought
the infant Jesus to the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognised him as the
promised light to the nations.
As Simeon held the Christ Child, his eyes saw salvation - not power or grandeur, but divine love made visible in vulnerability. Candlemas invites us to that same vision: to recognise Christ’s light shining in ordinary lives, homes, and communities.
Traditionally, this feast is when candles are blessed, symbols of Christ’s light
guiding us through the dark and uncertain places of life. It reminds us that we
too are called to bear that light - not only within the safety of church walls, but
in workplaces, families, and the wider world.
As we cross this threshold from Epiphany’s brightness into Lent’s reflection, may
we carry the light of Christ with courage and hope, trusting that his presence
will never fade.
Light of the World, shine in our hearts and homes. As Simeon rejoiced to see your glory, may we recognise your presence and share your light. Guide us faithfully into the way of peace. Amen.
2nd February 2026
Bowland Benefice
Please pray for energy in our small rural churches across Peopleton, White Ladies Aston, Upton Snodsbury and Broughton Hackett as we seek to promote God’s
mission. For all lay leaders, existing congregations and seekers. Clergy: Claire
Billington, Sarah Dangerfield, Emma Goldby
Please pray for energy in our small rural churches across Peopleton, White Ladies Aston, Upton Snodsbury and Broughton Hackett as we seek to promote God’s
mission. For all lay leaders, existing congregations and seekers. Clergy: Claire
Billington, Sarah Dangerfield, Emma Goldby
3rd February 2026
Bredon Hill Group
At Elmley Castle with Bricklehampton & the Combertons, pray for families coming to Messy Church, the children and staff of Elmley Castle First School and the Open the Book team. For the witness of Christians in our villages, that we may be gently bold in telling our own stories of faith. Clergy: Katryn Leclézio, Allison Davies, Roger Spiller
At Elmley Castle with Bricklehampton & the Combertons, pray for families coming to Messy Church, the children and staff of Elmley Castle First School and the Open the Book team. For the witness of Christians in our villages, that we may be gently bold in telling our own stories of faith. Clergy: Katryn Leclézio, Allison Davies, Roger Spiller
4th February 2026
Diocese of Morogoro
Pray for Yona, midwife at Tunguli Health Centre, as he supports women’s groups,
providing vital education on maternal and child health. Give thanks for the gift of a
motorbike to provide outdoor clinics in more remote areas.
Pray for Yona, midwife at Tunguli Health Centre, as he supports women’s groups,
providing vital education on maternal and child health. Give thanks for the gift of a
motorbike to provide outdoor clinics in more remote areas.
5th February 2026
Bredon Hill Group
In Overbury w Teddington, Alstone & Little Washbourne with Beckford & Ashton
under Hill, pray for our living witness to Jesus. For Overbury CE First School, Ashton First School and Bredon Hill Academy and our Open the Book teams. Clergy: Katryn Leclézio, Allison Davies, Gerard Moate, Alma Organ
In Overbury w Teddington, Alstone & Little Washbourne with Beckford & Ashton
under Hill, pray for our living witness to Jesus. For Overbury CE First School, Ashton First School and Bredon Hill Academy and our Open the Book teams. Clergy: Katryn Leclézio, Allison Davies, Gerard Moate, Alma Organ
6th February 2026
Bredon Hill Group
Pray for our farming community who have had a challenging two years of much
reduced harvest. That community support and our love and prayers would sustain
farms and farmers who are struggling. Pray also for our generous giving to mission partners overseas in our cost-of-living challenges. For our ALMs and churchwardens.
Pray for our farming community who have had a challenging two years of much
reduced harvest. That community support and our love and prayers would sustain
farms and farmers who are struggling. Pray also for our generous giving to mission partners overseas in our cost-of-living challenges. For our ALMs and churchwardens.
7th February 2026
Bredon Hill Group
At Bredon with Bredon’s Norton, Eckington and Defford cum Besford please pray
for our regular coffee mornings and new Board Games morning. For strengthened links with three Primary Schools and Open the Book teams. Pray for the Pastoral Team at Bredon, as they care for the elderly and those in need, our retired clergy
and ALMs. Clergy: Allison Davies, Sooz Maggee
8th February 2026
ATC Sunday
Today is ATC Sunday - a day when the Air Training Corps (ATC), now part of the
Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), celebrates its formation, which happened
on 5 February, 1941.
Typically observed on the Sunday closest to this anniversary, it’s a day for RAF
Air Cadets across the UK to parade and attend services, often in local churches,
to commemorate the founding of the corps and the beginning of their aviationfocused training and activities.
Fr Adam Hadley is padre to the Kingswinford Squadron, regularly leading padre’s
hour during the year and hosting a number of squadrons from across the Black
Country for ATC Sunday at St Mary’s Kingswinford.
This ATC Sunday please pray for all those who volunteer with the ATC and for the cadets themselves.
Today is ATC Sunday - a day when the Air Training Corps (ATC), now part of the
Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), celebrates its formation, which happened
on 5 February, 1941.
Typically observed on the Sunday closest to this anniversary, it’s a day for RAF
Air Cadets across the UK to parade and attend services, often in local churches,
to commemorate the founding of the corps and the beginning of their aviationfocused training and activities.
Fr Adam Hadley is padre to the Kingswinford Squadron, regularly leading padre’s
hour during the year and hosting a number of squadrons from across the Black
Country for ATC Sunday at St Mary’s Kingswinford.
This ATC Sunday please pray for all those who volunteer with the ATC and for the cadets themselves.
9th February 2026
Broadway, Wickhamford and Childswickham
We pray for coming together as a benefice working across boundaries with
Sedgeberrow and Hinton on the Green; working together to show God’s presence
in our villages. We give thanks for all who volunteer in our churches to help sustain ministry and for the work our PCCs and Friends’ committees do for our church community and buildings. For our ALMs and retired clergy. Clergy: Shellie Ward. Readers: Elaine Major, Helen Black
We pray for coming together as a benefice working across boundaries with
Sedgeberrow and Hinton on the Green; working together to show God’s presence
in our villages. We give thanks for all who volunteer in our churches to help sustain ministry and for the work our PCCs and Friends’ committees do for our church community and buildings. For our ALMs and retired clergy. Clergy: Shellie Ward. Readers: Elaine Major, Helen Black
10th February 2026
East Vale & Avon Villages
We give thanks for our dedicated, faithful & multi-tasking people including ALMs and retired clergy in our team, conducting services, running Messy Church, Open the Book, coffee mornings and special events. Clergy: Jo Fielding. Reader: Margaret Pye
We give thanks for our dedicated, faithful & multi-tasking people including ALMs and retired clergy in our team, conducting services, running Messy Church, Open the Book, coffee mornings and special events. Clergy: Jo Fielding. Reader: Margaret Pye
11th February 2026
The Protestant Church of Central Germany
We pray for the congregations of our church district (Kirchenkreis Salzwedel) and
that all those working there will not feel hopeless or get frustrated by the many
challenges we are facing due to the shrinking membership and financial resources.
We pray for the congregations of our church district (Kirchenkreis Salzwedel) and
that all those working there will not feel hopeless or get frustrated by the many
challenges we are facing due to the shrinking membership and financial resources.