MetCPA

Supporting officers and staff to be the best that they can be

Tony Gale

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the response to last week’s PL.

I am wondering how many of you were able to undertake the Prayer Time on Monday 20th Jan at 20:20 hours? I must admit, even though I was the one who suggested that we follow the plan of Hope UK, it wasn’t until well into the day that I recalled, “I need to stop to Pray this evening”. I have a very busy life, but by your standards, absolute minimal busyness – even so, I still nearly missed this opportunity!

  • Please can we continue to Pray for our Colleagues who are not well throughout the next few weeks until we hit 20th February. I am aware of a number of people who receive the PL and also others who do not, but are from other Services around the UK, who are far from well. Some are Christians, some are not. “Lord Please Heal Them”.

I am during this year following a Daily Devotional Book written by Bear Grylls. A few days ago, he wrote the following: “We can go roughly three weeks without food; three days without water and three minutes without oxygen”. He then goes on to say, “How long do we go on without refuelling our Faith?”

We read in His Word; Mark 6.31,

Because so many people were coming and going, His Disciples did not even have a chance to eat. Jesus said to them – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

I kind of feel that that so describes your lives as Police Officers and Staff.

Please take time to refuel in Him.

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

Thank you all so much for what you have been undertaking inside your work during these first two weeks of the New Year. Really appreciate you.

I have been in touch with a number of people who have been in our Prayers during 2019. Much Praise for improved health. Thank You Lord.

Last week I mentioned that this week we will be starting our Hope UK Prayers. This coming week on Monday 20th at 20.20 hours, for a period of 20 minutes; please join many others who will be:

  • Praying for outreach amongst members of our Family, Friends and Colleagues.
  • And then specifically, Prayer for Police, both Officers and Staff, who are far from well.

This last Sunday during the Sermon in our Church; DL Moody was quoted.

“Out of 100 people, one will read the Bible, the other 99 will read a Christian”.

Jesus said to His Disciples: “You are the salt of the earth and you are the light of the world” Matthew 5. 13-14.

God Bless you this coming week.

In Him,

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone.

Thank you for the response to last week’s PL.

I wish to share with you an idea, which “Hope Together” has suggested. It refers to us being in the year 2020:

  • Pray on the 20th of each month at 20.20 hours for 20 minutes.
  • Pray that we have more opportunities to witness to our Family, Friends and Colleagues.
  • With this in mind, the PL will contain topics relating to the Police.
  • Next week’s PL will contain the information for this month.

For the last 12 years as a Church Congregation, we have not met in our Church Building on Sundays. Our Congregation has been too large. Last Sunday, we walked into our new Building. A special moment as you can imagine. This new Building has been built alongside our original Building, so we have double the area, for our future work in Woking.

As our Pastor welcomed us, he pointed out the newness of the building and that over time it will show signs of use (he mentioned that two cups of coffee were spilt over the new carpet and a baby was sick over one of our new chairs already!). He went on to say that although everything shows wear and tear over time, the Goodness of the Lord does not do so. He then quoted a verse that I shared in the PL a few weeks ago:

The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases;
His Mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
Great is Your Faithfulness. Lam 3. 22,23.

Every time we come to the Lord; He continues to be Faithful.

In Him

Alice

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Just before Christmas; we held here in Surrey Police, a Family Christmas Event. I noticed a very happy little girl, thrilled to be with her Mum and Dad and so excited. It was Precious, the little girl who has had Leukaemia. She is so much better and looks to start school in September. She does have to attend hospital from time to time, but what a thrill to see her. Thank You Lord for answering our Prayers for this special little one.

I chose some time ago to start this New Year’s PL with a “Massive Thank You” to you all, for who you are and what you do. I so admire you and appreciate you.

Then New Year’s Eve arrived.
I decided to spend the change-over of the year in The Force Control Room as I am the Chaplain there. I went in armed with homemade cake goodies; to be warmly greeted by the Operations’ Controller, shaking my hand and asking me if I would like tea or coffee. Before I could answer him, he said “We have a truck in the river” followed very quickly by another person saying “We have three trapped people”. Having driven through Guildford to get to HQ and having been passed by a Police Car and Ambulance on Blues and Twos and travelling in opposite directions to each other around me, I assumed it was the river in Guildford that was being referred to.
No, it was the beginning of the horrendous collision near Heathrow. Slowly I was being drawn in to these unbelievable happenings. I wandered around the Room watching actions being taken and realising this was resulting in many Emergency People being called to the area.

Since then of course we have learned of the seriousness and who these people were who lost their lives at that moment and another still seriously ill in hospital.

My gratitude grows every day for each one of you, as you respond to many needs. I so truly admire you all. Thank You.

I eventually arrived home, wondering what was happening at the scene at Heathrow. I switched my lap top on and there was a message to encourage me in who I am in Christ Jesus. I knew at that moment it was meant for each one of you, I have written it before and I am sure I will write it again. Please be encouraged.

“You are here for such a time as this” Esther 4.14.

God knows you and loves you and knows He can trust you to take His Love and care to others.

God Bless you and keep you. May you know His Peace. AMEN.

In Him
Alice.

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Issue 1063 Jan 2020

In mid-November 2019, we held our annual CPA Leaders Conference. It was one of our best attended conferences so far and it was great to catch up with all our Leaders and Trustees from across the UK. During this conference we welcomed a number of new Branch Leaders as we move into 2020. We are so grateful to those who have stepped forward as some of our current leaders look to new roles and also to retirement.

Click here to read more from this edition…

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Big Church Day Out

The Big Church Day Out – Volunteering Opportunities

In May 2020, over 25,000 people from across the UK & Europe will be joining together for the Big Church Day Out (BCDO) on the Wiston Estate near Steyning, West Sussex.  The annual event has been running since 2009 and has grown to become an exciting weekend-long event for the wider Christian community. 2020 will see the advent of BC Youth, which provides bespoke entertainment and worship for young people.

Each year, over 500 volunteers give their time to ensure the not-for-profit event runs smoothly. For 2020, the Police has been invited to support in a voluntary capacity again, specifically in relation to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults attending the event.   Clare McKnight, has led the team for the last 4 years and will be continuing to do so this year. She is a recently retired police inspector from Sussex Police. We are therefore appealing for individuals who would be willing to assist with the event.

Safeguarding volunteers would be responsible for dealing with lost and separated children, as well as any immediate concerns for vulnerable persons.  In turn, the team also provide a welcoming role for campers when they arrive on the Friday. The volunteers can be either police officers or police staff and would attend as a member of the public, not in a uniformed capacity.  Volunteers do not have to be Christian, just have a heart for serving. 

In return, as well as the opportunity to be part of a great team, volunteers will receive:

  • Free access to the event when not working plus free tickets for immediate family.
  • Free camping onsite (including family) or accommodation at a local conference centre (volunteer only)
  • Free meals (2 per worked day)
  • Refreshments
  • Free T-shirt and Water Bottle.

Support for the event will be provided from Friday 22nd May to Monday 25th May with early and late shifts available. If you would be interested in volunteering at an exciting and vibrant family event or would like further information, then please send your expression of interest to Clare McKnight at clare@bigchurchdayout.com. 

Clare McKnight

Retired Police Officer – Sussex Police