Members of Holy Trinity are being encouraged to take part in 14 days of prayer for the future of the church and Mission at Holy Trinity.

At the last AGM, the church members recognised the need and desire to grow as a church and formed a Mission Group, which is now asking members to engage in a fortnight of prayer and feedback any inspiration or ideas they may have.

The church will be open during the day for people to visit for private prayer and there will be a group Prayer Time in the Side Chapel, Monday to Friday, at 5.00- 5.30pm., which everyone is welcome to attend.

The timetable for the Mission prayer and feedback is:

• Sunday 15th May:  Beginning of fortnight of prayer

• Mon-Fri 5.00-5.30pm: Prayer in church

• Sunday 29th May:  Week of sharing ideas and feedback

• Wed 8th June 7.00pm: Congregational meeting in Trinity Centre.

Introducing the idea of the fortnight of prayer in his sermon for Ascension Sunday, Fr. Philip Blackledge, Rector at Holy Trinity, said: “The first phase of any church growth is that we pray.  All of us can do that, every one of us.  And through that time spent with God, we find what we are called to do. And when we share our ideas with one another, we find what God wants of us as a church.  

“It can’t be sharing our opinion on things. This process has to start with God – it has to start with weeks of genuine, intensive prayer. Otherwise it will fail. As the psalmist says, ‘unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it’.

“But when we pray, and when we gather together and discern what god’s will is for us together, then Mission is not about my ideas, or the Vestry’s ideas, or the church’s ideas, but God’s ideas. And that is how churches grow.”

A leaflet is available, which explains the reasons for the prayer fortnight and gives suggestions to help people with their prayers at home and work.  It also explains how members can give feedback and who to contact if they have any concerns.

A full copy of Fr. Blackledge’s sermon is also available to download.