The Bandaged Cross

Whilst many of the prayer stations so far have encouraged people to pray for others, we haven't done one specifically for healing so our new one is The Bandaged Cross.














The veterinary nurse in the family supplied us with some wrap-around bandages which were used to cover our large wooden cross.















Visitors are invited to think of someone that's poorly - someone that needs healing. They write the name on a plaster and stick it on the bandaged cross as a way to physically pray for that person.
For some reason I have loads of packs of sticking plasters so I didn't need to buy any new ones.


As always, various Bible verses are laid out to help focus, this time ones on healing.


Although the prayer station is to be available in St Stephen's Church for the next month or so, it was
set up this morning for our ecumenical Messy Church on the Good Samaritan.
In supervising the station, I quickly learnt to invite children by saying "Do you know someone who is poorly?". Starting by saying "Do you want to pray for someone who is poorly?" did not get positive responses.
By the end of this morning, the bandaged cross already has a good number of plasters on it. I'm concerned that the cool air in the church might make the plasters curl off but I'll keep an eye on that.


I wanted a picture of a plaster cross to use on the invitations and instructions
but could only find protected ones online. A simple answer to this was to photograph my own. This image is free for anyone to use.

Celebrating Pentecost

The week before Pentecost, we celebrated Ascension when Jesus tells his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit. It seemed like a good Sunday to start the Pentecost prayer station.

The cellophane ribbons were cut from rolls and hung from a curtain rod. The red fairy lights are powered through USB connections so are plugged into phone chargers on a timer. The ribbons hanging from the candlesticks look pretty but had to be removed as I hadn't realised that these particular candlesticks are used during funeral services (oops).


Visitors are invited to think about people that need the Holy Spirit, including themselves; write the names on flames or doves and stick them on the cellophane with sticky buddies.
As always, they are encouraged to spend some time thinking/praying for those people.

Even with just a few on, the "wall of flames" is beginning to look effective. I'll try to post a final photo before it's dismantled.

Instructions with Acts 1:8

Children's Corner

The same cellophane ribbons were hung from a hula hoop suspended from the ceiling tiles above the children's corner. The doves and flames available here are larger and the ribbons come to just above adult height. I was aware that it was too tempting for children to tug on the ribbons so adults are needed to do the sticking...
I also managed to find a children's book on Pentecost with the story told in rhyme. It's a bit old fashioned but I do like to add to the book collection.

Lord's table

For this prayer station we've been particularly blessed by Karen who used to do a lot of flower arranging. She offered to help and I set her loose on the Lord's table that's in the side chapel (with permission from the vicar).
I'd had the idea of draping red fabric from the cross with a white dove at it's centre but Karen made it come to life with some gold voile and ribbon spiral flames. She also made a foot-piece that finishes it off but I didn't get a photo of that.
The existing real candles have been replaced by (safer) battery candle lights. They are effectively weighting the fabric to stop it slipping off but I think they add to the design.
This table is the focus of the quiet time & morning prayer that happen most weekdays 8.30-9.30am so it will be interesting to get some feedback from those people that attend.

And here's the final curtain of Pentecost ribbons - a lovely, bright celebration!