Worcester Deanery prayer evening

Members of churches from across Worcester Deanery came together at St Martin’s Church in Holt recently, for an evening of prayer and reflection around the theme ‘Praying through Change’.

Lay Chair, Sue Rowlands reports on the evening: 

“After gathering for a short time of worship, led by Area Dean, Phil Bradford, participants were invited to move at our own pace around a series of prayer stations placed throughout the church and outside. Each offered a different way of reflecting on the changes we experience in our own lives, our churches and our communities.

At the font, rice paper dissolved in water as we prayed about changes we find difficult to accept and the things we need to let go. At the lectern, ribbons were tied together as a sign of the connections between our parishes and communities. In the chancel, stones representing the burdens we carry were laid at the foot of the cross; scripture provided words to reflect on and take away; and beads were used to remember and pray for people experiencing change. Those venturing outside were encouraged to look afresh at our churchyards and the possibilities they offer.

There was no need to hurry. Silence, creativity and the beautiful setting gave people space simply to stop, listen and pray — for themselves, for others and for the life of our Deanery.

One person afterwards described the evening as “so carefully and imaginatively prepared, providing gentle prompts to ponder and pray through the many facets of change that we live with and through.” Another, who admitted needing “a nudge” to go out that evening, said simply: “I am so glad I went.”

Perhaps the evening was best summed up by another comment: it was “an object lesson in how worship and community can grow through contemplation and silence just as much as through agendas and action plans.”

We came back together at the end of the evening to pray for our churches, clergy, lay leaders and communities, asking God to give us “imagination for what is emerging, gratitude for what has been, and courage for what lies ahead.”

A particularly special conclusion to the evening came as one of our two guests, visiting Bishops from Peru, gave the final blessing.

Our thanks go to Alison Cook and everyone at St Martin’s for their generous hospitality, and to all those who prepared the evening and its prayer stations.”