Bible readings for this week:Jer 31:27-34; 2 Tim 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8; Psalm 121
Schools being prayed for this week:Ewhurst Infant, Farnborough Grange, Farncombe Infant
Issue 7
Theme for week
The Gospel reading for this week is the story of the persistent widow and the corrupt judge who finally relents to her request. It is quintessentially a story about the need to be persistent in prayer. I was talking to the headteacher of a very successful Church school who was concerned that the rhythm of prayer for her school had been halted. She noted a change in the atmosphere of the school. When people stop praying, good coincidences seem to happen less frequently! Certainly in my experience of running Church schools the best outcomes flowed from a rhythm of hard work and regular prayer. Will persistent prayer give us what we want? Jesus doesn’t say this. Rather, like the parents of a demanding child, the most loving long-term answer is often a simple ‘no’. So why then should we be persistent in prayer? The clue comes in Jesus’ words recorded in verse 7. Persistent prayer builds relationship. If an unjust judge acts for you, how much more will a loving Heavenly Father engage with you. Ultimately this personal relationship with God is more important than the prayer request itself. That is why prayer is about much more than just asking for things. Persistent prayer may not always result in what we WANT but it should result in what we NEED – a growing relationship with a loving, kind and just Judge. / Ideas for assemblies on this theme
Please note these are entirely voluntary and should not replace existing assembly plans for the year. The Gospel story is about being persistent in our relationship with God. If you like someone you will want to spend time with them. God wants to spend time with us because He loves us and prayer is one way in which we can allow this to happen. In the end we can only benefit from this relationship.See for example:
Persistence in Prayer
Or
Persistent Prayer doesn’t annoy God
Or
For Something more practical
Or
‘It’s not my fault’ based on the Jeremiah reading for this week, recorded above:
Acts of Worship – The Diocese of Ely Education Directorate
CPD – The Lifeblood of an improving organisation
- Wednesday 19th October, 10.00am-12.30pm ‘Supporting writing – for TAs’, at the Education Centre
- Thursday, 20th October, 9.30am-12.30pm, ‘Being Ofsted ready (not preparing for Ofsted)’, at the Education Centre
- Thursday, 20th October, 7.00pm-9.30pm, ‘Being Ofsted ready (not preparing for Ofsted)’, at the Education Centre
- Thursday, 3rd November, 8.30am to 4.30pm Head teachers Away Dayat Waverley Abbey House
- Tuesday, 8th November, 9.30am – 12.30pm ‘Christian Distinctiveness’, at the Education Centre
- Thursday, 10th November, 7.00pm – 9.30pm ‘Safeguarding and the role of the Governor’, at the Education Centre
News from family of Church schools
- We rejoice with St John’s Dorking following the publication of their successful Ofsted report. Credit to Mark and all concerned
- We give thanks for the rich life of John Abbot (Deputy Head at Busbridge Junior) and we pray for his young family
- Colleagues are warmly encouraged to sign up for the Head Teachers Away Day being run by Rachel Slough, a consultant who works with the Institute of Leadership and Management. The title for the day is ‘Managing our energy and not just our time’. Thursday, 3rd November at Waverley Abbey House.
- Academies Policy for the Diocese has been produced in draft form. It is a lengthy document of 13 pages with a Free Schools Policy of a further 5 pages. Following consultation, these will be added to the ‘handbooks’ and posted on the web-site from January 2017. The plan is to grow the Good Shepherd Trust so that every single Church school in the diocese has the opportunity to join in the next 5 years if that is their wish
- The ‘Diocesan Education Team’ is moving to a new building on the Surrey Research Park (behind the Royal Surrey hospital) and a 10 minute walk from the University Sports Park, Park and Ride. It is possible that the building will be operational by the time of the next heads and chairs meeting on 25th and 27th January 2017. If so, the conference room is bigger and the facilities better.
- Failing Academies are not being taken over fast enough. Click here
- National Audit office criticises Government attempts to improve protection for ‘at risk’ children in England. Click here
- Ofsted’s Chief Inspector comments on high performing MATs and what they have in common. Click here
- Maintaining professional boundaries with pupils. Pupils should not be called ‘mate’ or treated as equals by parents or teachers as this is very confusing for them. Click here.
- Teachers facing burnout. Teachers in England are working significantly longer hours than the OECD average with consequent impacts on the whole of the education sector. Click here.