November 2008
This could be a very important month for CHESS:
- The candidates shortlisted for the new post of Chief Executive are due to visit CHESS and be interviewed by a panel of trustees during the first week of November. Pray that each one may be enthused by CHESS's vision and present himself or herself to the best advantage. Pray that the trustees may be given wisdom and insight to discern God's choice for Chief Executive or, should it be the case, to perceive that God wants CHESS to take some other route.
- We are currently awaiting confirmation of CHESS's participation later this month in an ITV programme in which different charities will be putting forward their cases for funding for specific projects they hope to start. Pray that, whatever the outcome, those taking part on behalf of CHESS will not suffer from "stage fright" and that those who watch the programme will have a greater sympathy for homeless people as a result.
- Our annual sponsored sleep-out will take place in the churchyard of St John's, Moulsham Street, on the night of 28-29 November. Please ask God to guide the organisers, so that all may run smoothly, to move potential sponsors to be generous, to give us clement weather and to give His Holy Spirit on the night to all those taking part that it may truly be a time of laughter and fellowship.
Please pray for the family and friends of Ian Gordon, who died suddenly last month. He was resident in the Night Shelter briefly a few years ago. He was well known to many people associated with CHESS and we continued to see him at the Day Centre occasionally. He and his friends could often be seen together locally; they are already sorely missing his company.
Give thanks for the success of our efforts to help homeless people get on to the new Housing Register and to bid for council properties that become available. Some people have already been rehoused. Pray that they may soon settle down into their new places and that those with children will be able to build up their relationships with them now that they have homes of their own.
Also give thanks for the Harvest gifts we have received this year from churches, schools and other organisations. Pray for all the CHESS trustees and volunteers who have gone out to talk to churches and schools, and those who will be doing so over the coming weeks, that their words may help those with supportive home backgrounds to understand the plight so many homeless people find themselves in.
Other people we would ask you to remember in your prayers this month include:
- Mike, our new Support Worker and Assistant Handyman, that he may quickly settle into life in CHESS and make a real difference to the people he deals with;
- a homeless person recently moved to Chelmsford from Great Yarmouth, that he may soon make friends here;
- a resident who is facing further medical treatment for serious medical conditions, that he may remain sufficiently healthy in other respects to receive the treatment he needs;
- two service users suffering from cancer, that they may receive the support they need from others;
- the pregnant sister of one of our volunteers, that she may face up to her responsibility for the new life within her;
- the man who was recently given an ASBO prohibiting him entering an area which includes the Day Centre, that he may receive appropriate support elsewhere; and
- all who are facing a loss of livelihood and possible homelessness as a result of the economic downturn.
Pray with us
Prayers are offered at our Day Centre every Monday morning at around 10.30 am and at the Night Shelter every Tuesday evening at about 9 pm. Remember us then if you pray at those times. If you are in the area, you are welcome to drop in and join us.