Cheltenham Prayer Network for Schools 10^th Birthday Celebration

On 10^th May, Christ College Cheltenham hosted the 10^th Birthday celebration of the Cheltenham area Prayer network for Schools. Ten years ago, there were 12 school prayer groups in the Cheltenham area, today there are 39. There are prayer groups in schools of all kinds, state schools and private schools, primary, secondary and special schools, Anglican and Roman Catholic Church schools and community schools, also the Star Centre and Gloucestershire College . Each group holds a school in prayer, working in different ways according to circumstance. Around 150 people attended the celebration, including headteachers, teachers, support staff, parents and governors from schools around Cheltenham .. The evening included worship, a time of thanksgiving, a time of prayer and there were various speakers, including Celia Bowring from CARE, the umbrella organisation which looks after these prayer groups. The Bishop of Tewkesbury was there to lead the closing prayers and give a blessing. Oh, and  we sang ‘Happy Birthday’, drank fizz and ate birthday cake.

The Leckhampton C. E. Primary School Prayer group is currently flourishing.  About 8 of us, from churches across Cheltenham , meet once each half-term in school for a short time of prayer for the school and for fellowship. All aspects of school life are prayed for quietly during the course of the year, as well as any issues which arise. We have a service at St. Peter’s in the Autumn.  A DVD prepared by the Cheltenham group for the 10^th birthday celebrations features pictures of Leckhampton School and the headteacher Mr Gardner talks about the importance of a prayer group.

If anyone would like more information about the Leckhampton C. E. Primary School prayer group or the Cheltenham organisation, please contact me.

Anne Gale

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