The Archdiocese of Southwark:
The Christian Unity Commission
Jesus said:
May they all be one.
Father may they be one in us, as You are in me and I am in You,
so that the world may believe it was You who sent me.
John 17: V 21
Holy Innocents' is a member of Churches Together in Orpington, the local branch of a national organisation to promote Christian unity. It initiates ecumenical services and activities which demonstrate the existence of a Christian family in Orpington.
All church clergy are members, plus one or two lay members from each of the 20 churches involved. Throughout the year Churches Together in Orpington come together to worship and pray and Lenten House Groups are part of our annual programme.
Specific Sundays are regularly set aside for Christian ministers to preach in other churches of different denominations during Christian Unity Week 18th -25th January.
CTO Prayer Meeting dates for 2012:
from 9am unless otherwise stated.
Please note the following dates (usually the first Saturday, but sometimes changed cos of holiday weekend!) - and the venues (usually 0900 but sometimes 0800!)
We encourage our parishioners to join in and PRAY FOR ORPINGTON with other believers. Sometimes we only have a few praying ---- but then the Lord did use only a few soldiers with Gideon; and only a few disciples ; and only a few praying women to bring Revivals; on the other hand - there was a big Prayer Meeting going on at Day of Pentecost!
And today large-scale Prayer Happenings - all over the world.
So - can we see the Lord working among us here in Orpington - as we pray together ?!
If a Prayer Meeting is scheduled for our own church, please:
- Make sure someone opens up the doors
- Make sure someone will lead it the meeting (brief Scripture and/or worship)
- And - please encourage people to PRAY - and not just bring all their "latest news".
Mostly we are aware of "whats happening " - we only need a few pointers to pray.
2012
January 7 - Orpington Methodist
February 4 - HOPE church - 0800 - always a great time of worship and prayer!
March 3 - St Pauls Crofton - 0800- 0830 (prior to their local outreach)
April 7 - Christ Church (Easter weekend)
May 5 - Crofton Baptist (Bank Holiday weekend)
June 2 - Holy Innocents' (Bank Holiday weekend)
July 7 - Orpington Methodist (TBC)
August - no prayer meeting!
September 8 - Green Street Green Baptist (might be swapped....)
October 6 - St Johns URC
November 3 - Orpington Baptist
December 1 - HOPE Church - 0800 (TBC)
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Street Pastors
A Street Pastor is a Church leader/minister or member with a concern for society - in particular young people who feel themselves to be excluded and marginalised - and who is willing to engage people where they are, in terms of their thinking (i.e. their perspective of life) and location (i.e. where they hang out - be it on the streets, in the pubs and clubs or at parties etc).
Street Pastors will also be willing to work with fellow activists, church and community leaders, and with agencies and projects, both statutory and voluntary, to look at collaborative ways of working on issues affecting youth, and initiatives that will build trust between them and the Street Pastors.
As the Street Pastor gets to know people in the community he/she will find out their needs are and what can be done to help. A presence of Street Pastors will earn credibility in the community, so that people know that the Church is there for them in a practical way. The role is not about preaching heaven and hell, but one of listening, caring and helping - working in an unconditional way.To be a Street Pastor you need to be over 18 (no upper age limit), a church member, and able to commit to our training programme.
Each Street Pastor team consists of at least three groups of four, each of which will work a minimum of one night a month.
In Orpington teams currently work on Friday evenings from 8.45pm - 12.15am approx.
See more on What are Street Pastors?
NB:
(Southwark Diocese sees no reason why Catholics should not be able to become a Street pastor or students'if they so wish.)
STUDENTS' PASTORS
Rev Ray Bell from Hope Church, Leader of the Street Pastors in Orpington and colleagues have held discussions with Orpington College and Ascension Trust with a view to launching
Students' Pastors at the start of the academic year in September.
Potential volunteers are being sought to train as students' pastors and also others as prayer partners. We are excited by the prospect of serving the College and being church on the streets at prime shopping time.
(2 and a half hours fortnightly or possibly weekly;)
We have been praying and preparing for this for most of last year.
Street Pastors continues to operate under the auspices of Churches Together Orpington(CTO).
See link.. Orpington Street & Students' Pastors
or
See Father Victor if you feel you wish to become a Street Pastor or Students' Pastor
| All Saints, Orpington | Church of Unity, Ramsden |
| Baptist Church, Crofton | |
| Christ Church, Charterhouse Road | Baptist Church, Green Street Green |
| St Andrew's | Baptist Church, Station Road |
| St Giles', Farnborough | Methodist Church, Chelsfield |
| St Martin of Tours, Chelsfield | Methodist Church, Farnborough |
| St Mary's, Green Street Green | Methodist Church, Orpington |
| St Giles the Abbot and St Nicholas' Church, Farnborough | St John's United Reformed Church, Orpington |
| St Paul's, Crofton | URC, Pratts Bottom |
| Holy Innocents', Orpington | St Michael & All Angels Roman Catholic Church, Farnborough |
Contacts: Cecilia Skudder (at Parish Office) 01689 817537
email: Churches Together