Pray for Ezekiel

Dear friends,

Sometimes it is easier to pray for just one person than a whole country. So, may I ask you to pray this week for Ezekiel Kondo, the Anglican Archbishop of Sudan? He and his team have recently been able to return to Khartoum from their enforced internal exile at Port Sudan. The civil war in Sudan has brought devastation across the whole country; Ezekiel’s home in Khartoum was destroyed, and All Saint’s Anglican Cathedral was desecrated and used as a paramilitary base. After two years, services have just been restarted, with a small congregation, as Christians once again slowly pick up their courage to return to their home town. We can’t begin to imagine what it must be like for them. Devastated infrastructure, lack of basic services, and ongoing security risks are all part of the picture. The civil war is now reckoned to be the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. It has ethnic, tribal and religious dimensions, with rebels on the one hand funded by the UAE, and Government forces on the other funded by Saudi Arabia and others. (I hope William is reading this). It is a proxy conflict, demonstrating, among other things, irrespective of global warming, that the enormous profits from the oil industry bring with them enormous responsibility. For those of us who use oil, whether in our cars or just in the plastics all around our homes, the sooner we learn to ask questions about where we are buying it from –  the better the world will be.

Worship Services for Sunday 15th February 2026

9.30am Informal Worship at St John’s Stoke Row with Mr Peter Ferguson

11am Informal Worship at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Canon Kevin Davies. A playful service for half term, with a chance to try some Bible themed games, and refreshments.

Midweek zoom service: Wednesday Evensong at 5.00pm  410 935 129

Half Term, underwater?

On Sunday week, services for 22nd February at Checkendon and Stoke Row are kindly being led by the Revd John Blair, with a communion in both churches.

As our schools take a break, give thanks for them, and all who support them, from Government departments, regional councils and boards of education, employees, and local volunteers. Let us give thanks for all the opportunities for learning that are provided. Let us also pray for a break in the weather, so that the chance for a holiday might be fully enjoyed by everyone.

Thank you all for your support and care for your churches – the next one of these notes from me will be with you on Feb 24th.

May the Lord bless you, and keep you, and make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.

Your Rector, Canon Kevin.