October–November 2024 Update from Seattle on my way to Guelph
Greetings once again from Ancora Village Society, a mostly Christian co-op community in the city of Everett, north of Seattle—my US ministry base and living quarters.
Speaking of cities, the familiar Jeremiah 29:11 passage says: I know my plans I have for you, to prosper you and give you hope and a future. That verse has encouraged me through the years. But now verses 5-7 directs: Settle down . . . Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. I have doubled down on the needs around me here in Everett, in addition to leading the weekly prayer group in the co-op mentioned in my last update. I’ve also continued online ministry in Guelph, connecting there 4-5 times weekly.
Thus, when unexpected dental and medical issues delayed my planned October return to Canada, I continued ministering where doors were open, as explained below. And now I’m cleared to return to Guelph from 11/10 to 12/10, after which I’ll spend a week in Chicago with friends and supporters. While I’m there, reach me via email, cell phone, or What’s Ap (see info below)
What will you be doing? I will be shadowing longtime friends and co-workers Jacob and Karen, founders of Guelph Prays. I’ll participate in the various prayer groups, meet with the missional group in person, reconnect with folk in the Celebrate Recovery group that Jacob leads, and attend the Moms in Prayer meetings. I’ll be able to observe firsthand the growth and challenges since my June visit. We will also be strategizing for my ministry there in 2025 and additional ministry I can do via Zoom until then.
What’s been happening there since you last wrote?
- Jacob and Karen are finding other city-wide prayer groups and supporting them as they can. They also are inviting certain pastors to join a Zoom group to pray for them.
- The Missional Group (which I join online while in US) aims to present the gospel to those unconnected to a church, to disciple those who respond, and to gather them in a “non-churchy” setting for spiritual growth and integration into the larger body of Christ. Recently, a man from Jacob’s Celebrate Recovery (CR) group has joined; several others have expressed interest.
- One man in Jacob’s Discovery Bible Study, a spin-off from CR, is now anxious to learn how to lead a similar study for his friends.
Back in Everett: What answers to prayer has the new Ancora prayer group experienced?
- We prayed for ways our little co-op community could reach out to our city. Providentially, I discovered that there are student ministries just beginning in two local high-schools.
- We prayed for interdenominational prayer gatherings for Everett. While randomly scrolling on my Facebook thread I found out that one was being planned on October 12th in front of the Everett Courthouse. A half-dozen folk from Ancora attended.
- We prayed for released-time Bible classes with Everett students like they are doing in other states under the umbrella of Lifewise Ministries. Apparently, a long-neglected national law, still on the books, allows released time for religious instruction during school hours in a neutral venue. We prayed this would happen in Washington State. Can you imagine how we praised God when a flyer arrived announcing the first such classes in our state will start in January? I want to find out how Ancora folk can support this effort.
- We experienced unexpected blessings from praying: Here’s some feedback from some of the participants:
- Deeper friendship with the other intercessors
- Greater anticipation for what God can do, after seeing prayers answered
- Appreciated learning to praise and pray for others using Scripture
- Has been a special privilege to pray for local high school where intercessor’s kids went
- Non-partisan prayer for the US national and local elections is possible
Thanks for your prayers for my preparations for both my trip to Canada and for the pause in ministry here, and then for a fruitful time in Guelph. Thanks so much for your faithful financial support. If you are able to provide additional help monetarily, see the links below.
Blessings,
Mary Oliver (maryolivewoodward@gmail.com)
GIVING: BY CHECK: to ACTION US, PO Box 398, Mountlake Terrace WA 98024, marked for Mary Woodward as monthly, one-time, or Fall Guelph Ministry Trip.
ONLINE: https://www.actioninternational.org/missionary/Mary-Woodward then designate by pressing “add instructions to the finance office” on the check-out page.