niscuNorthern Inter Schools Christian Union Working with schools and churches

West Cumbria

PRAYER LETTERLate September - October - November 2015

Welcome to the NISCU schoolsworkers’ prayer letter.Come and hear news from the teams and find out how youcan be involved and support your local schoolswork.We hope that you enjoy the read.

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Northern Inter Schools Christian Union NISCU West Cumbria is part of the Northern Inter-Schools Christian Union. Charity No. 1135880. Company No. 7203313

West Cumbria TreasurerPaul Cooper, 5 Beech Grove, Whitehaven

CA28 6LG Tel:01946 67697

West Cumbria Secretary (See page 3)

West Cumbria ChairmanSimon Astill

Tel: 01697 321679 or simona@sdeng.co.uk

“And now I give you a new commandment:love one another. As I have loved you, so you

must love one another” John13 : 34

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Welcome to the NISCU West Cumbria prayer letter.Thank you for themany prayers for the work in schools that a growing number ofwonderful people are doing in our area. As we look at the year aheadwe are glad and full of thanks to God for His transforming work inschools that the NISCU and church teams have a privilege to be a partof. May the work of the Holy Spirit continue to show us His glory, Hispower and His name in every presentation that is given, every clubthat is led, every conversation that takes place, and in every meetingthat is attended in serving our schools and communities. “And now Igive you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you,so you must love one another” John 13 verse 34. Let us be known bythe love we have for others in every context of our lives and let thislove overflow to every area of life we are involved in. Amen.

Lynn

This summer I had the privilege of being able to join the rest of anamazing team of adults and young people at CCYC. This year’s themefor camp was ‘Dare to be Different!’ Together we explored how Godhas called each of us to be unique and that as Christians, it is ok toshow the rest of the world that we are standing and believing insomething different to what the world can offer us.Our world is constantly changing, with new laws and rules madealmost daily that challenge what we believe as Christians and force usto make some tough decisions. In schools young Christians have todecide whether to stand up for what they believe in, or be tempted tokeep their heads down and just blend in amongst the rest of the crowd.It can be tough as a young person to have to face these challengesand CCYC offers them the chance to be encouraged and to realise thatthey are not alone. During this fantastic week they can walk, growand have fun with over 200 other people. There are workshops,outdoor activities and challenges, suppertime meetings and so muchmore! Through the entire week, God shows everyone that He lovesus and will care for us no matter what!Praise God for such an incredible time at CCYC! Thank you Jesus forall of those young people that gave their life to you this summer!My hope is that this school term will be a chance for the young peoplewho are Christians to really stand up for what they believe in.May they shine for Jesus in their schools and dare to be different… God bless,

Alice

Alice and Lynn’s Prayer points:

● Please pray for all of those young people that have made acommitment to their faith this summer at CCYC.

● Please pray for all of the staff and students that have returnedto school this term. Please pray that God would renew theirstrength.

● Please pray for all of the upcoming community events, such asthe Workington and Cockermouth lights switch on. We prayfor our great team, a great atmosphere and for God to be

glorified.● Please pray for our connections with the schools that we visit

weekly. Please pray that God would continue to bless thoserelationships with both the staff and students as we continuewith clubs and assemblies this term.

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Contact the TeamNISCU Office: Christ Church Rooms, South Street,Cockermouth. CA13 9RU www.niscu.co.ukAlice: alice.stop@niscu.org.uk 07568593361Lynn: lynn.graham@niscu.org.uk 07568567539

Amazing news: Beacon Hill and Keswick School clubs raised£238 altogether for 2 Nepal Earthquake Appeals by runningfund raising events last term. Well done to all the students forall the effort and courage they showed in putting these on infront of their peers in high profile areas in the schools.

CAN YOU HELP?Could you take the minutes at Support Group meetings?We need someone willing to do this who will then distribute them, byemail. The Support Group meet at about two-monthly intervals atmembers’ homes.For more information contact Suzanne on 01946 67697 or by email atsuzcooper@sky.com.

THANK YOU"A big thank you to everyone who supports NISCU in any way, be it byprayer, practical help or financially.Your involvement is the OIL that makes the wheels turn".

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SeptemberTues 1: Puppet practice for Fletchertown presentationTues 8: Copeland PPT meet togetherWed 9: Joseph assembly practice for Allerdale PPTThur 10: Puppet practice for Fletchertown presentationSat 12: Puppet presentation at Fletchertown Community HallTues 15: Forgiveness assembly practice for Copeland PPTWed 16: Joseph assembly practice for Allerdale PPTThur 17: Joseph assembly practice for Workington PPTTues 22: Cockermouth & Keswick School QM Clubs launchTues 22: Forgiveness assembly practice for Copeland PPTWed 23: Change Club Team practiceWed 23: Allerdale PPT with Joseph assemblies at Crosscanonby St. John’s CofE School and Allonby PrimaryThur 24: Beacon Hill School Thursday Club launchesThur 24: Joseph assembly practice for Workington PPTFri 25: Collective Worship Assembly Beacon Hill School 9amMon 28: Collective Worship Assembly at Keswick School Year 7 9amTues 29: Copeland PPT with Forgiveness assembly at Kells InfantsWed 30: Collective Worship Assembly at Keswick School Year 8 9amWed 30: Allerdale PPT with Joseph assemblies at St Michael’s CofE Primary in Bothel, and Bolton CofE School in Bolton Low Houses

OctoberThur 1: Collective Worship Assembly at Keswick School Year 9 9amThur 1: Workington PPT with Joseph assembly at Victoria Junior School in WorkingtonTues 6: Copeland PPT with Forgiveness assembly at Moor Row Primary SchoolWed 7: Change Club in Mayfield School Year 7-9 2pmWed 7: Allerdale PPT with Joseph assemblies at Broughton Moor Primary and Broughton PrimaryMon 12: Team Reflection DayMon 12: Allerdale PPT with 2 Joseph assemblies at Fairfield Primary in CockermouthTues 13: Copeland PPT with Forgiveness assembly at Montreal CofE Primary SchoolThur 15: Workington PPT with Joseph assembly at

Distington Community SchoolSat 17: Ablaze Now Diocese Youth Event in PenrithSat 17: Puppet presentation at Keswick Praise and Celebration Evening.

Prayer Diary

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October (Cont)

Mon 19: NISCU Bible Study with Pam – Awesome!Tues 20: Copeland PPT with Forgiveness assembly at Monkwray Junior School, KellsWed 21: Allerdale PPT with Joseph assemblies at Dearham Primary and Bridekirk Dovenby CofE PrimaryThur 22: Workington PPT with Joseph assembly at Beckstone Primary in HarringtonFri 30-Sat 31: One Way UK Puppet Ministry Training in RugbyNovemberTues 3: Church & NISCU Secondary Teams Review MeetingTues 3: Christmas assembly practice for Copeland PPTWed 4: Change Club at Mayfield School Year 7-9 2pmWed 4: Christmas assembly practice for Allerdale PPTThur 5: Christmas assembly practice for Workington PPTTues 10: Christmas Collective Worship Roadshow PlanningTues 10: Christmas assembly practice for Copeland PPTWed 11: Christmas assembly practice for Allerdale PPTThur 12: Christmas assembly practice for Workington PPTTues 17: Copeland PPT with Christmas Unwrapped at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in FrizingtonWed 18: Allerdale PPT with Christmas Unwrapped at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in CockermouthSat 21: Puppet presentation for families supported by Christians Against PovertySun 22: Cockermouth Lights Switch-On NISCU Team, PPT & Churches Together Christmas ShowsTues 24: Christmas Collective Worship Roadshow PlanningTues 24: Copeland PPT with Christmas Unwrapped at Thornhill Primary SchoolWed 25: Allerdale PPT with 2 Christmas Unwrapped Assemblies at St Herbert’s CofE Primary, KeswickSat 28/Sun 29: Workington Lights Switch-On NISCU Team, PPT & Churches Together Christmas Shows

QM (Question Mark) Club: “What is life about? Who am I? QM is a club for life’s big questions and a

place to have fun, with games, video clips and space to think.

Please pray for all our church partners in the weekly andmonthly secondary clubs

Margaret Laycock, Mim Rainford, Sam Smethurst, Rachel Philips, Ian Harvie, Alison Riley, Adrian Thompson, Lucy Evans, Fergus Pearson, Jenny Sloan, Michael Sloan, Sudharshan Sarvananthan and Darryl Boustead

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This was my first visit to Mayfield, and one of the highlights for me washow it challenged some of my preconceptions. On arriving at the schoolI noticed a young boy in the playground who seemed very alone as helooked through the railings. He did not seem very sociable, and Iwondered if perhaps he had autism. I prayed he would enjoy ourpuppet assembly. After the assembly, we were dancing and singing assome of the children left the hall. That same little boy accepted theoffer of one of our streamers and he began to dance with it! I noticedhow very rhythmical he was as he moved to the beat of the tune. WhenI asked him if he enjoyed dancing, we made good eye contact, but withno conversation. He simply nodded, but I could see he was reallyenjoying his time with us!

Primary Team LeadersAllerdale TeamMaggie Cowles, 12 Harrot Hill, Cockermouth CA13 0BLTel: 01900 824466Copeland TeamAngela Scotchbrook, 39 Carlton Drive, Whitehaven CA28 6XBTel: 01946 67298Workington TeamJulie Bater, The Old Vicarage, Park End Road, Workington. CA14 4DGTel: 01900 68056

Mayfield School will always hold a dear special place in my heart! Thechildren are both excited and receptive. The main highlight for me is tosee so many children joining in spontaneously with the singing,dancing, praise and worship. There is so much joy!Another highlight occurred on our last visit - one little boy came backwith his teacher while we were packing away to say “thank you” usingthe Makaton sign language.It is humbling and a real privilege to be invited to Mayfield School! Yougo to give, but receive much, much more …..every time

Prayer Points· Let’s thank God for His countless blessings!· Please thank God for His provision of new team members;

please continue to ask Him for more, especially for Workington and Copeland puppet teams.· Please pray for God’s blessing on our assemblies in September and October – Copeland team continuing on the

theme of Forgiveness; Workington and Allerdale on It’s Amazing What God Can Do involving the life of Joseph.· Please pray God’s anointing on our Christmas assemblies entitled Christmas Unwrapped.· Please pray for God’s protection on the health of team members

and their families, and for safe travel on our roads.· Please pray for those going to the Puppet Ministry Festival in

Rugby to be held on 30th and 31st October. Pray for God’s blessing on this trip, and that our time there will greatly benefit

this work!· Please keep praying for Julie, Angela and Maggie in their

leadership of our puppet teams, and for God’s envisioning forthe way ahead!

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“Grow your teams!”For the work of

to grow,

we need more puppet-eers!

The Workington and Copeland

niscuNorthern Inter Schools Christian Union Working with schools and churches

West Cumbria

Prayer Breakfast

Please RSVP to lynn.graham@niscu.org.uk to book your breaky.Hosted by NISCU West Cumbria

On Tuesday 5th January 2016 at Christ Church Rooms South Street Cockermouth CA13 9RU

8 – 9am

“Grow your teams!”For the work of to grow,

we need more puppeteers!

The Workington and Copelandneed to recruit

a new member or two to join each team.To find out more, please contact:-Maggie Cowles [Tel: 01900 824466]

Julie Bater [Tel: 01900 68056]Angela Scotchbrook [Tel: 01946 67298]

The NISCU West Cumbria schoolsworkteam would like to invite you to receive abrief weekly email for prayer and updateson the work as it happens. We are callingthem “Butterfly emails” and we would loveyou to be a part of it.

Just click the link http://eepurl.com/bw1smz and follow the easysign-up instructions.Many thanks to you all for your valued prayers and partnership inGod’s wonderful work in our area from Lynn,& Alice, Primary PuppetTeams and NISCU West Cumbria Support Group