General Chat

Good morning :-)



The Collect (special prayer) for today:

God of grace, ever creating and restoring,
You breathe life into all things
And embrace us with an everlasting love,
Help us to grow in wonder and awe.
To embody a spirit of gratitude
And to dream generous dreams
That. In gathering what we have
We may graciously offer ourselves
To accomplish what you will.
In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

School’s back! We pray for all schools.

Loving Father, Thank you for all who are part of our schools. Please grant them your encouragement, wisdom and peace.

Strengthen teachers with heavy workloads. May they be firm, yet patient, expecting excellence but forgiving mistakes. May they support the children, playing to strengths, helping with struggles and motivating them to do their best.

Comfort and restore those living under shadows of unhappiness, abuse, pain or fear. May they come to know Jesus and His love for them.

Please pour out Your blessings upon all schools,
In Jesus' name.
Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

School’s back!

School secretaries play an important role in the day-to-day operations of a school. They handle providing administrative and clerical support to the school office by answering telephones, greeting visitors, managing pupil records, and handling correspondence.

The school secretary is often the first point of contact for parents and pupils and must be able to effectively communicate with them.
They ensure that the school environment runs as smoothly as possible and allow teachers to focus their energies purely on providing children with an education, rather than worrying about keeping records and other vital yet time-consuming tasks. Their role is vital to the overall performance of the institution.

We thank God for the expertise of these important people in the day-to-day running of our schools.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



School’s back!

Where would schools be without the caretakers, those good folk who manage and maintain the school premises to ensure that they are clean, secure, safe and well-maintained.

Their main duties are locking and unlocking the buildings, as required, assisting users with setting up facilities such as chairs, and tables and supervising the cleaning. Caretaking can be quite a physical job but these folk take things in their stride and head teachers are more than grateful for the support of a good caretaker.

We thank God for these people who maintain and keep our schools clean and well-tended

Cx :-)

Hello all

Very many thanks Cynthia. This week's prayers about schools are needed as our village schools re-reopen after the long Summer holidays.

Heavenly Father
Pour out Your blessings upon our whole school community so that everyone grows in the knowledge of your love, wisdom and peace.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Good morning :-)

School’s back!

In the 1960s, teacher aides were introduced, then this progressed to the 2000s when Teaching Assistants were termed and became commonplace in a variety of education sectors.

Typical duties include: helping pupils with their learning, often with a particular focus on maths, reading and writing supervising group activities setting up equipment for lessons and keeping classrooms safe and tidy helping develop programmes of learning activities and adapting appropriate materials motivating and encouraging pupils monitoring and recording children’s behaviour and progress helping with school events, trips and activities.


Then there are, of course, Special needs classroom assistants/special needs learning support assistants.
These are the teaching assistants who support teachers in helping children with special educational needs and disabilities. They ensure that the pupils are cared for and comfortable within the school community.

We thank God for these dedicated people who help and encourage our young ones through all stages of their lives in school.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


School’s back!

Most people remember school dinners and the dinner ladies who looked after them. School dinner ladies (also known as School Meal Supervisory Assistants) are those who supervise the activities of children during mealtime.

Dinner ladies assist the children in the dining area, supervise the kitchen work, and keep an eye on the younger children to make sure that they are eating their lunch. They do a fantastic job and what they serve nowadays is very different from when school meals first began in the early 1900’s.

If you were lucky enough to go to school in the early 20th century then you could expect porridge, bread with dripping and a nice glass of milk to wash it all down with.

In the 20’s/30’s, Mutton stew, and desserts like treacle pudding found their way onto the menu.

After the war, tinned meats with mashed potato were popular as was jam roly-poly. Fish and chips would become a Friday staple and Iconic school desserts like spotted dick and rice pudding (with a dollop of jam of course) became the norm.

The dinner ladies then had to get used to serving ‘fast foods’ like pizza, fries and chicken nuggets, along with fizzy drinks with high sugar content. In 1999 a medical survey suggested children in the 1950’s had healthier diets with a higher nutritional value than children in the 1990’s – and that was during rationing!

This all changed and now, every meal has to include at least one portion of vegetables or salad with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables available.

Today’s school dinners look a lot more colourful than they did thirty years ago and they’re much more nutritious as well.

We thank God for these committed ladies who, with patience and expertise, look after the children in our schools.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


That's so lovely Vera, and thank God for that nice gentleman and his welcome to you. Glad you enjoyed your visit and enjoy the rest of your break. <3


Our children are now back at school, ready to begin the new term. We thank God for all who contribute to their well-being:

School Crossing Patrols.
The job of a lollipop person is to walk to the middle of the road, at a suitable time, holding up their sign; it is a legal requirement for traffic to stop at this command. Once it is safe to do so, the lollipop man/lady will signal that it is alright to cross. Traffic may only move once the sign has been lowered and it is safe to do so.

They were introduced to enable policemen, who had previously run crossing patrols, to perform other duties.

The earliest lollipops were red and black rectangles printed with “Stop, Children Crossing”.

The round lollipop was introduced in the 1960s. In 1974 the uniform changed to the familiar yellow coat.

Britain’s longest-serving lollipop lady was Eunice Robinson who celebrated 40 years of work on a single patrol in 2002. Ms Robinson had planned to take the job only for a few months as a favour to a friend.

Dear God, thank you for these men and women who, through all sorts of weather, guide our children safely across the busy roads. We give thanks for their commitment and care towards these young people. Amen.

Cx :-)

You may remember a couple of weeks ago I mentioned how some churches give out warmth while others seem cold. We are on holiday in Sussex and yesterday we were trying to find a pub we had been told about. While hunting for it we found a church and went in. A gentleman immediately appeared and gave us such a warm welcome and we had a chat. As we walked around it was obvious the church was cared for and the chap was able to answer one or two questions we had. We felt very at ease there. Even my non-believer OH was impressed and thanked the gentleman for his lovely welcome.

We did find the pub but I am sure we got the priorities right i.e. church first, pub second ;-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer for today)

Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel story today gives advice for dealing with sin within the church.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


As Christians, we have a duty to pass on God's love.......


Lord, I see faces wrought with pain -
the suffering, intense.
I know not what they're going through
but know it is immense.

I want to lend a helping hand
to ease their pain and tears.
I ask You, Lord, "what can I do?
Please speak so I may hear.

I pray to be the hands and feet
of Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Enable me, Almighty God,
so I may help someone."

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Children and their teachers are now back at school and some parents will be wondering where time has gone!

A new chapter of life.

We look at you and wonder,
Where have the years all gone?
What happened to our yesterdays?
It hasn’t been that long….

Since you were learning how to ride a bike
And how to catch a ball.
When did you get so confident?
How did you grow so tall?


We look at you and wonder
at how the years go by,
who showed you how to find your wings?
Who taught you how to fly?

You stand before us on this day
Prepared to step into
As special chapter of your life
written just for you.

We look at you and wonder
And then we realise
The time has come to see you,
Through a different kind of eyes

The one that you’ve grown into
Is a gift beyond the best
So we tell you that we love you
And count ourselves so blessed.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

For those who may be feeling a little lost....................


Why is it, when I’m in a crowd, I still feel so alone?
How come I’m labelled ‘popular’, and yet feel so unknown?
And all this isolation, why is no one aware?
Why do I feel invisible? Does anybody care?

I feel so insignificant; why am I never heard?
Why, when I speak, does no one seem to hear a single word?
I, strangely, know the answers. They’re all clear in my head….
Yet, how I wish I could convince my hurting heart instead!

I know that these are all untruths; they are the devil’s lies.
I know I need a moment looking through The Father’s eyes.
A moment: Just a fleeting glance of what the Father sees:
Lord, help me to receive and know the love around me. PLEASE!

Transform my life, my outlook; heal my eyes, like you did Saul.
Lord, send someone to notice me, like Barnabas to Paul.
Please help me focus differently; cast out the devil’s pain,
And, in the name of Jesus, help me overcome again.

Now, guard me through the precious blood that Jesus shed for me
And show me all the wondrous truths you’d like for me to see.
“My soul finds rest in you alone, salvation comes from you.
You are my rock, my fortress” as I quote Psalm sixty-two.


Lord, help me put my armour on (Ephesians, chapter six)
So I can firmly stand and beat the devil at his tricks.
So finally, I speak aloud, “i’m special, through and through!”
so now, believe these words for, God says, they apply to YOU.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This may help those who are questioning life…..

Trust Me
I sat on the beach and gazed at the sky,
looking for answers to my questions: "Why?"
Why did the Father create you and me,
the sun and the stars and the deep blue sea?
Why are there mountains, and valleys below?
These are some things I would like to know.
Why is there hatred, violence and greed—
they're works of the devil—they are, indeed.

Why can't we gather as one in accord—
one happy family with God as our Lord?
Why is there sorrow, such pain and disease?
I ask You, dear Lord—God, answer me please.
I sat for a while to wait on the Lord.
He heard my questions—the ones I implored.
And then with much love, great patience and grace,
God whispered gently with words I embraced.

"My child, I love you, and your strong will.
I love all the world—just trust Me—be still.
You don't understand—it's not time to know.
Someday I'll tell you, but first you must grow.
With every season you'll learn more and more—
learn all you can with no fear to explore.
Now, reach for My hand and I'll lead the way—
follow My footsteps, take heed and obey.
I'll answer your questions when timing is right.
For now, you must trust Me, each day and night."

-Kristine Stanton

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I think what I like about her poems Vera, is the way they flow......sometimes, poems can be a bit erratic but hers seem sort of steady - if you get what I mean :-D


For those mourning the death of a loved one, remember.......

Love Lives On

Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one’s gone.
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,
far as long as there is memory,
they’ll live on in the heart.


Cx :-)

I think I have said before that I am not a huge fan of Helen Steiner Rice's verse but I rather like that poem. Thank you, Cynthia, for posting it.

Good morning :-)


This rather lovely poem may encourage someone..........

We cannot all be famous
or be listed in "WHO'S WHO,"
But every person great or small
has important work to do,
For seldom do we realize
the importance of small deeds
Or to what degree of greatness
unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
in a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
in undistinguished ways
The work that God assigned to us,
unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding
and brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
for wider, new dimensions
Where you can put in practice
your many "GOOD INTENTIONS"
But at the spot God placed you
begin at once to do
Little things to brighten up
the lives surrounding you,

For if everybody brightened up
the spot in which they're standing
By being more considerate
and a little less demanding,
This dark old world would very soon
eclipse the "Evening Star"
If everybody BRIGHTENED UP
THE CORNER WHERE THEY ARE!
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen


In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus tells us 'take up your cross and follow me'.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


What a lovely story Vera, and what a caring and thoughtful little girl. Her parents must be so proud of her - she has set a shining example of how to think of others bless her. <3


Volunteers
Flower arrangers, youth workers, choir members……..the list of these wonderful people doesn’t seem to end. We give thanks for each and every one of them – for their time and talents, for their willingness and generosity of spirit. Thank you, good Lord.

Cx :-)

Where would we be without volunteers? I live near a centre where a number of organisations hold meetings: a fortnightly lunch club for the elderly, clubs for people who have had a stroke or have Parkinsons etc. The bulk of the work necessary to keep these going is done by volunteers. Bless them all.

I'd like to share with you an act of volunteering and charitable giving that concerns a child of my acquaintance. When she first started school at the age of 4 she heard about the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair for whatever reason. Young as she was she volunteered to grow her hair to give to a child in need. She also learnt that it costs £700 to provide each wig. She is now 7 years old and has kept her promise to grow her hair and has also said she would like to raise £700 for the cause. This week her waist length hair has been cut to ear level to be made into a wig and by nearly 50 people giving what they could afford she has raised nearly £800. I think it's amazing that such a young girl could understand someone else's need and keep a promise made when she was only 4 years old. Children can often show us adults the way.