8 June 2022
June is the national month of prayer for toddler groups and in London the London Network of Parent and Toddler Groups will pray for a different borough each day.
On 1 June, to mark the start of London Prayer Marathon, members of the network, including Emma Anderton, Chelmsford Diocese Children and Families Missioner in our Barking Area, climbed to 02 to get a 360-degree view of the city and pray for toddler groups.
Emma was joined by other members of the network to climb the walkway over the iconic O2 building. As they did, they prayed over the city looking out over the expanse of buildings - and Emma pointed towards Barking and Dagenham. Each day of the London Prayer Marathon will involve a borough being prayed for each day and 1 June was the day to pray for groups in Barking and Dagenham.
Commenting on her climb over the O2, Emma said:
There were so many images to reflect on as we journeyed up to the top of the 02. The walk up and down the other side were very steep and hard work and sometimes it feels like that as toddler group leaders, but the view at the top was so worth it. I was struck by some small, old buildings right by the waterfront, dwarfed by the new shiny, tall buildings and sometimes our groups can feel overlooked by other things. The work of toddler groups in supporting young families is vital and has so much to offer the people in our communities.”
At the end of the walk, they joined Carol Welsby from Sparkles - a baby group based at St Chads in Barking and Dagenham. We heard how mums and babies find friendships and community through the baby group - a lifeline for so many.
Prayer dates
Toddler groups in London boroughs in Chelmsford Diocese will be prayed for on the following dates:
Barking and Dagenham – 1 June
Havering – 15 June
Newham – 24 June
Redbridge – 25 June
Waltham Forest – 30 June
More information
The theme of this year’s National Month of Prayer is ‘A Net That Works’ and is based on Luke 5 v1-11. Please check out 1277.org.uk for more details and follow along via the 1277 Facebook group.
The London Parent and Toddler Network exists to offer support to toddler group leaders - through local support groups plus an annual conference. There is an interactive map of toddler groups across the city on their website and leaders/teams are invited to register their group in order to stay connected and also offer this resource to families.
Sign up here to register your toddler group.
