24/7Prayer
We look forward to welcoming you to 24/7 Prayer this weekend. It begins at 9am tomorrow morning, Friday 12th July with Morning Prayer and runs through to 6pm on Sunday evening when it will end with a sung Worship Celebration.  

Please click on this link to see what is happening. If the slot has a padlock on it then it is allocated as a private time for the person who has booked but there are plenty of opportunities to come together to pray. If you have booked a slot but are not sure whether it is private or not please contact Ruth.

Children's Hour is between 2-3pm on Saturday and is open to children and youth as well as adults who are young at heart! There will be activities for all ages.
 
Vacancy
The job role for our Vacancy has now gone live on our website and the New Wine Jobs site. It will also be published in the Church Times tomorrow. If you see our social media posts please do share them to spread the word and please also pray that we have the right applicants apply for the role.
 
Guest Speakers from our Mission Partners
St. Stephen's supports a number of Christian Charities through our tithing: giving 1/10th of our donations between them. In recent months we have invited speakers from Christians Against Poverty, and LAMB Healthcare in Bangladesh. We've learned a lot about the work done locally for people needing Debt advice and support with CAP; and about how our money supports people in NW Bangladesh, who cannot afford healthcare. On Sunday 21st July we'll be welcoming a Guest Speaker from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) to both our services. CSW is a human rights organisation specialising in freedom of religion or belief, working in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. 

And on Sunday 15th September, we host Helen Stephens from A Rocha UK. A Rocha created the Eco Church movement, with whom we gained a Silver Award in 2021. Come and hear more about these organisations, and find out how our Church money supports mission at home and abroad.
 
Christian Aid (CA)
Following some late donations, we have an update to the total amount given for Christian Aid Week 2024. It now stands at £2,962.79p.Thanks again for all who so generously gave or supported our events. Our CAW 2024 campaign is now closed, but donations can always be made on the Christian Aid website www.christianaid.org.uk 

We intend to show a film being recommended by CA called 'The Tinderbox'. A thoughtful movie about Israel/Palestine by Gillian Mosely, raising important issues and historical background going back to Ottoman times. Watch out for news of us showing this in the autumn.
 
Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter (WNS)
All but newer members in Church will be aware that we host WNS each year from mid February to the end of March. We are one of 21 churches working to provide 24/7 support with an evening meal, and safe overnight bed and breakfast from November. The only paid staff are the Administrator and the Shelter Worker who works through the year supporting the clients. We are the only Night Shelter in the Borough of Ealing, which has the 4th largest number of homeless people in London. 

Due mainly to the pandemic and the necessity to house clients in hotels in 2020 and partially in the following two years, WNS is in need of replacing their Reserves. It costs approximately £40,000 per annum to run, with churches providing voluntary accommodation.

WNS is embarking on a fund raising campaign to keep the service going.

Our own Lizzie Rainbow is running the Ealing Half Marathon in September for sponsorship to WNS. St. Stephen's provides a Water Station for this popular annual event. Please support her and WNS by donating what you can.
 
Recycling
Thanks to all who have given Sue jam jars in readiness for the making of jams and chutneys for sale at Christmas. She now has more than enough! Please re-use or recycle you jars at home.

We still have a Recycle4Charity box for used ink cartridges to be found on the cupboard opposite the vestry/church office. Money raised this way goes to Christian Aid, our chosen charity. Please bring any used cartridges when coming to church.
 
Parish Prayer
These are the streets in our parish we are praying for this fortnight – please do pray for all who live there and for people to come to know Jesus.
The Avenue
Sutherland Avenue
Colebrooke Avenue
College Road
Dominion House and Sinclair House ( The Avenue - flats behind Drayton Pub)
 
Prayer for the Week
Generous God,
you give us gifts and make them grow:
though our faith is small as mustard seed,
make it grow to your glory
and the flourishing of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.