We asked our Prayer Chain Coordinator, Steve Clark, a few questions to find out more about how this vital ministry works, how you can request prayer, and how you can get involved. Q1: Steve, to start us off, could you tell us a little bit about what the prayer chain actually is, and what a typical week looks like for you as the coordinator? Steve: The prayer chain is a team of people who make time during their week to pray for people on a list that I provide. The people on the list are in situations—often medical—where prayer is needed. I usually perform my role once a week, normally on a Sunday after church, though occasionally I may be contacted with an urgent prayer request which I act on as soon as possible. My role involves sending out an email to the members of the prayer chain. This includes new people who are in need of prayer and updates on those already on the list. I spend time contacting "link people" who can provide progress reports on individuals and specific current prayer needs. The email normally is rounded off with a summary prayer for all mentioned, giving people a starting point when preparing to pray themselves. I then issue an updated prayer list once a month. Q2: It sounds like a vital lifeline for the church. If someone is going through a tough time, how can they get a request onto the prayer list, and what can they expect? Steve: If somebody at St. Peter's would like to be added to the prayer list, they can speak to either myself or another member of the prayer chain, who will then inform me. You can give as much or as little detail as you like; all we need to know is what you would like us to pray for. If somebody contacts me on behalf of another person, they become that individual's "link person," and they will be the one I contact for progress reports. It should be noted, however, that this is not only open to people in our congregation. Many people on our list do not attend St. Peter’s but have been approached by one of our prayer chain members and asked whether they would like to be prayed for. It is important, however, that everyone on our list has given their explicit permission to be there. What they can expect is that our team of around 50 people will be praying for them on a regular basis—praying for strength, reassurance, healing, guidance, or anything they feel they need God's intercession in. You can also rest assured that all information shared with us is treated as strictly confidential and will only be passed amongst those who are in the prayer chain. Q3: With 50 people praying regularly, that is a powerful wall of support. Have there been any particular moments that highlighted the impact of this ministry? Steve: I feel very blessed to be part of this team of prayer warriors, and there have been several times where I strongly believe prayer has been answered. This has taken the form of successful surgical procedures, healing when conditions seemed insurmountable, and sometimes, in cases of terminal illness, a prolonging of their time among loved ones and family. Since I started my role, I have received a lot of positive feedback, for which I am very grateful. I simply see myself as a coordinator, providing a framework for those who do the important work of praying for those in need. Q4: For those reading this who feel called to support others in this way, how can they become a part of the prayer chain team, and what kind of commitment does it involve? Steve: If you would like to become a member of the prayer chain, then just have a chat with me about it! The only strict rule we have is that all information must be kept entirely confidential. Beyond that, you can pray in any way that you find works best for you. I personally try to pray for several people on the chain each evening, but you could pray for more or fewer people on a different timescale. Alternatively, you could wait for the weekly email update so that you know what the specific, current prayer needs are and focus on those. All prayers are very gratefully received. Need Prayer or Want to Join? > If you have a prayer request, or if you feel called to join this confidential team of prayer warriors, please speak to Steve Clark after a Sunday service to be put in touch with him.
Every parish church, cathedral, church plant or other local church body has a safeguarding policy, and a volunteer appointed to act as safeguarding officer. The safeguarding officer is supported at a local level by a diocesan safeguarding adviser (DSA) and at a national level by the National Safeguarding Team (NST). I asked Rebecca Kelly, the Safeguarding Officer for St. Peter’s, if she could tell us a little more about her role. I asked her why she felt that the Safeguarding Officer’s role was so important. She said “Keeping people safe in St Peter's Church is everyone's responsibility. I want people who come to St Peter's, for church services, special events, groups and hobbies, to feel welcome and know that people are looking out for them. As safeguarding officer at St Peter's, I want people who come into the church to feel loved, cared for and for it to be a safe place to talk, be listened to and advice given if appropriate. If safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone at St. Peter’s I asked what the church is doing to empower individuals within the church family. Her answer was “people who come to church services and do voluntary roles within the church are encouraged to do safeguarding training. The training sessions are provided by the Church of England and are done online. We learn about safeguarding adults and children and different kinds of abuse. There is additional training of domestic abuse awareness, safer recruitment and leadership training for some roles, and I keep track of what training is needed and let people know what is recommended for their role.” “Some roles in church, including those with children and/or vulnerable adults and members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) are also required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. As safeguarding officer, this is something I do and keep track of who needs what and when.” “At a local level, we, as a church, are working really hard to look after people and provide a safe space in our community.” As well as being responsible for training and background checks the Safeguarding Officer also acts as the first point of contact for people with concerns about safeguarding issues at St. Peter’s. I asked Rebecca what individuals that are worried about a situation in the church environment should do about it “If you have safeguarding concerns for yourself or someone else at church or in a church led group, please contact me and we can have a chat. If you would rather talk to someone else in church that is fine too. You will be heard. There are support services in Leeds which are here to help us if we open up, reach out and ask. As Jesus said in the Bible in Matthew 7:7 ‘knock and the door will be opened to you’.” If you or somebody you know would like to have a chat about a safeguarding issue within St. Peters’ here are some useful contact details Rebecca Kelly Parish Safeguarding Officer St Peter's Church 07779 393834 Leeds Anglican Diocese Safeguarding Team 0113 353 0257 Adult Social Care 0113 222 4401 Children's Social Care 0113 222 4403( Cover image: Icon by the best icon)
