Please keep Vanuatu in your prayers

Message from the Chair

Congratulations to Dawn, a co-opted member of the National Committee, on the safe arrival of a beautiful baby girl on Sunday 30 May.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the office since the Day of Prayer: we are very grateful for all the donations we have received both in the post and via the website or text. However, it is taking much longer than usual for your returns to be processed. Receipts will be issued in due course. Please be patient with us during these challenging times.

Our committee members held many Preparation Days on Zoom which enabled local branch participants to present WDP in their town or village in a meaningful way. The Pandemic has affected the way we usually work but people have appreciated the effort taken equipping them to deliver the service. The simplicity and clear message of the Vanuatu service enabled the Day of Prayer to be delivered mainly on Zoom. However a few distanced or shared services did happen.

The past twelve months have been both challenging and rewarding. We have had to learn all sorts of new skills. By not controlling and centralising things we enabled people to find creative ways of delivering the service in their own areas and localities. Our branches took responsibility and did a brilliant job. We have all increased our technical knowledge and we hope to find a way to consolidate and build on this.

Digital communication is replacing print at a much faster rate than before. This means that the website, with Face book and Twitter is becoming the most important part of the organisation. I represent Quakers on Derbyshire Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education and have recently managed to make the DCC aware of the WDP Children and Young People’s resources which schools can obtain free for use in their Religious Education lessons. If your church is involved with SACRE please inform them of this opportunity.

We now look forward prayerfully for next year when the service comes from England Wales and Northern Ireland. The committee is planning the Preparation Days and we trust that Branch secretaries will support us as you have done in recent years. Most of all I would like to thank you all for your prayers support and generosity in these difficult times.
Nicola Hoskin-Stone

If you would like to support World Day of Prayer, then you may donate using the Donate button or, if you prefer, you can text: –

Text 2021WDP 5 to 70085 to donate £5

Any amount can be donated up to £40 just add the sum after 2021WDP and your text will cost the amount plus one standard rate message.