Lots of Ideas to Consider

 The Women of the Diocese met on October 24 to Plan and Pray. We brainstormed ideas for upcoming ANEW2 events. Although attendance was low due to a simultaneous diocesan meeting, a wide variety of themes and ideas were gathered. The Women's Ministry council will work to implement some of these in the coming months. 

Ideas ranged from 'our mothers' to racial and border ministry topics to ways to deepen our spirituality and moving beyond COVID. 

A prayer vigil was also introduced for use through Election Day. 

You can watch the video of the meeting. 

Currently scheduled upcoming events include:

•       Nov. 20-21 with the Rev. Carolyn Metzler. Registration is $10. Full info andregistration.  

•       Dec. 12: Christmas Party

•       Jan. 23: Why Gratitude Matters: A Theology of Thankfulness  (the Rev. Canon Heather Melton)

•        Feb. 27: All you need is Love (Linda Rounds-Nichols) 

•        March 13: Lent Retreat with Canon Lee Curtis

Prayer Vigil to Share

 During the ANEW2 Women's Ministry gathering on Oct. 24, a prayer vigil was introduced for use and sharing. 

Click to download the Vigil. All prayers are from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. 

The Vigil is made for use now through the election on November 3. It includes prayers for our Diocesan Convention on Oct. 29-31.

You are encouraged to pray the Litany for Sound Government (at the beginning of the file) each day along with the prayer for the date.

You are welcome to add other prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer or Collect for the Day as desired.

All prayers are found in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) as noted. You can use this in conjunction with Morning or Evening Prayer or Compline, or just as separate prayers. 

(Other election prayer resources available from ForwardMovement: Season-of-Prayer)

Vigils

A final idea this week to pray for friends and neighbors near and far involves setting up Prayer Vigils for specific needs. This can be done prior to an event-a convention or a meeting, perhaps. Vigils are also appropriate for someone who is having major surgery or who is very ill. Special seasons of the year inspire the idea of vigils - like Good Friday.
Once the reason is identified, post a sign up sheet and invite people to join the prayers. People can come to a central place to pray or pray at their own home, depending on convenience.

A way to make this even more visual is for each person to sign up on a brick (or a paper looking like a brick) that is used to build a wall! You could also make a vine and have each person sign up on a flower or leaf to cover the vine in foliage.
(You could also use the vine for prayer requests...)