God's Light Shines in Suffolk

"You LORD keep my lamp burning:  My God turns my darkness into light" Psalm 18.28

Around Suffolk, Lightwave groups had a great January with new alpha courses and youth groups starting, such as Voyage  (pictured right as they crafted crosses round a bonfire.) Epiphany brought the opportunity to celebrate the tradition of home-blessing and many in village communities asked for a visit. Members  of the Lightwave agricultural chaplaincy support group enjoyed being part of the collaborative farming community breakfast held in the parish of Stratford St Andrew.

We are seeing progress towards financial sustainability as the funding from the "Growing in God in the Countryside Project" draws to a close.  Financial giving is increasing gradually and so we have been seeking bridging finding from other sources: The diocese has applied for 3 years of national strategic funding for the Lightwave hubs at Red Lodge and Bungay.  At Playford Emerge, Ben Wale has taken on a complementary paid role with Rushmere Baptists and is finding synergies in local mission.  We are exploring funding from Rural Ministries and Henry Smith for Place by the Water.  In support of this the diocese has made a lovely video about some of the Place by the Water work and Rural Ministries have published a great article in their magazine Mosaic.

Prayer Pointers for February

We're thanking God for:

• All the new people, young and old, our hubs are meeting as activities start up after the Christmas break.  (Pictured above children at Messy Church (Red Lodge)
• A really great start to collaborative planning for some of the things Lightwave is involved with - including  the national LoveRural Conference, the new Lightwave communications team and the work of discernment for the integration of Lightwave in the wider diocese through an appreciative inquiry process.
• All who are supporting the Lightwave Community financially at local and county-wide level
• A deepening relationship with the Diocesan Mission and Ministry Team and for Sharron Coburn our new Bishop's Visitor

We'd love you to pray for:

• People who have started an Alpha course or beginning to come to youth discipleship activities for the first time - that they may discover the love and light of Jesus
• Our Diocesan Bishop, Martin Seeley as he retires this month, our interim Bishop Graeme Knowles and for the panel discerning the appointment of our next diocesan bishop
• Future financial provision for Lightwave lead ministers  both grants by and by increasing generous giving

The work of discernment through an Appreciative Inquiry process being planned for March to discover how best the Lightwave Community can contribute to and flourish within the wider diocese in the years ahead

Events coming up

• WEEKLY LIGHTWAVE ZOOM PRAYERS  Every Wednesday at 9.30am. 
  
• Join at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8948993510?pwd=htxlalzwgoHlOlvm1PqgcGtgg5D0Pa.1
  
• THE BIG THANKYOU - Lightwave Community AGM and celebration - Monday 12th May 2025 - 6.30pm - Salvation Army Hall, Stowmarket
  
• CATCHING THE FIRE - All Age Pentecost Celebration 8th June from lunchtime into the afternoon.  White House Farm, Great Glemham
  
• LOVERURAL 24 HOUR NATIONAL RURAL MISSION CONFERENCE - 22nd-23rd June at St Edmundsbury Cathedral    bit.ly/loverural

Supporting the Ministry of Lightwave

• Thankyou for your prayer support.  Some of our prayer supporters commit to praying for us on an allocated day of prayer each month.  If you could do this, please email communications@lightwave.community
  
• If you would like to help with our volunteer communications team, please email archdeacon.sally@cofesuffolk.org
  
• Please consider giving financially to the Lightwave community at www.lightwave.community/giving You can choose whether to give to a local group or hub or the Lightwave Community as a whole.