Praying for the teachers and support staff at St Stephen's First School as they have their 2nd day of OFSTED: Dear God, Grant our teachers an abundance of Your wisdom. Prepare their hearts to welcome and love our loved ones, and may we make sure to show them love and respect in return. Give them grace as they help students who aren’t thriving, courage to say what needs to be said, tools and knowledge on how and when to speak love, and strength when they feel weak. When they feel unseen, remind them that no moment goes unnoticed. They are shaping the future in one million small - yet incredibly important - ways every day. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of learning they share with our children. Bless them, Lord, and may they see even just a glimpse of how their faithfulness will forever impact generations to come. Amen.

We'll be singing this song for the first time this Sunday (8th Oct) - if you want to see the actions, there's another video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XVq2z_7TLM

A montage of all the clergy hands from our diocese of Worcester, taken at the conference last week.

Know someone who wants to start Bible journalling? Here's a lovely example that could be ordered from the bookshop.

Come and Pray Tuesday, 3rd October, 7pm at St Stephens Prayer 4 Redditch is an opportunity for all Christians to join together in prayer for our town and the people who live and work in it.

https://www.new-wine.org/events/new-wine-womens-day-london

Today's post communion prayer: Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbours as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

As Twitter considers trialling a 280 character limit (currently 140), can you sum up the Christian gospel in 140 characters?

Did you know all of our vicars have been at conference this week. This is one of our favourite photos of the team rector.

A 15 minute guided prayer reflection - put yourself in the picture