Dear Friends,

I am delighted that this weekend's prayer and reflection is led by Marilyn Sanders, who is on placement with us whilst training for ministry at St Mellitus' College, and who those of you who have been able to come to services at St Mary's will recognise, and, who those of you who have not met her, will now get to know better. Marilyn is also leading a Zoom Bible study on Thursdays mornings, and if after "meeting" her this weekend you would like to join in with that, you don't need to have taken part in the previous sessions as each session looks at preparation for Christmas from a different Biblical perspective. I can put you in touch if you would like to join in, so let me know.

Marilyn reminds us that one of the ways that we can each use time during these weeks is by taking time to pray - the prayer for this week as part of the Archbishop's call to pray for the nation is below. We are encouraged to pray at 6pm in the knowledge that people across our nation are all praying then. More locally, it is rather lovely that Vespers at the Convent begins at 6pm so we join our prayer with the daily rhythm of prayer in which our Sisters hold us all, day in and day out.

God bless

Samantha

Loving Father God,
be with us in our distress;
be with our families, friends, and neighbours,
our country and our world.
Give health to the sick,
hope to the fearful,
and comfort to mourners.
Give wisdom to our frontline and key workers,
insight to our Government,
and patience to us all.
Overcome disease with the power of your new life,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.