Below is a prayer for the people of Afghanistan in the midst of rapid change and much fear of what may follow - it can also be downloaded from this page.Christian Aid prayer for Afghanistan, August 2021O God of mercy and of peaceWe hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan; be living bread to those who are hungry each dayBe healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of the pandemicBe a true home to all who have been displaced.Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political viewsBe peace to those engaged in armed conflict, and those who live within its shadow.Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace; open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care.Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people, and hold us all in your unfailing love.We pray in the name of Jesus Christ who emptied himself of all but love, in order to bring life in all its fullness. Amen
The Church of England General Synod last year made a commitment that the Church of England would achieve net zero by 2030 by eliminating CO2 emissions from church buildings large and small across the country. This challenge is now being picked up by dioceses and parishes. There are big issues to be tackled nationally and in the diocese - including church offices, church schools and clergy travel - but here in Longframlington our principal challenge is all the oil we burn to heat a beautiful but cold church. This challenge also represents a tremendous opportunity to engage our congregation and others in the village with caring for God’s creation not only in our church but in all aspects of our lives. Our PCC have accepted this challenge, registered St Mary’s in the A Rocha Eco Church scheme, and agreed to set up an Environment Group to lead action on environmental improvement in the church, in our lives and in the village. We invite volunteers (church members and others) prepared to work together, to come up with ideas, persuade others and to facilitate improvement in God’s world in the church and in our area. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Roger Horne
Our electricity contract through the Church of England Parish Buying Scheme means all our electricity comes from renewable sourcesAnd we have a certificate to prove it!
