The Free Churches Group is delighted to be one of the key organisations involved in running the Research First monthly UK wide digital journal club. This journal club developed out of a joint venture between the Free Churches Group and the College of Healthcare Chaplains and is now additionally supported and promoted by the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains, NHS Education for Scotland, the Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association and the Paediatric Chaplaincy Network. The journal club provides opportunity to earn up to 3 CPD points accredited by the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy [One CPD hour for attending the session and one CPD hour each for completing before (part 1) and after (part 2) the session  this research article reflection sheet. If you have questions about the journal club, or would like to receive diary invites for the sessions, contact mark.newitt@freechurches.org.uk

Thursday 28th August 2025 exploring: Jacobs, G., & Cuba, S. de. (2023). ‘A clear center but no clear boundaries.’ The construction of professional identities in spiritual care through boundary work in participatory action research within health care. Action Research, 22(2), 179-195. https://doi.org/10.1177/14767503231195418

Find our more HERE.

Reflective practice is part of the Ten Essential Shared Capabilities described in the UKBHC Capabilities and Competences (2015) document. Similarly, within the Spiritual Care Competences for Healthcare Chaplains (2020) document agreed for Scotland, is recognised as one of four domains of healthcare chaplaincy competence. As part of the process of continuing professional development, chaplains are expected to demonstrate the ability to reflect upon practice in order to develop and inform their professional practice. Reflective practice, as described by Mark Stobert, is a form of supervision that is underpinned by a reflective practice mindset. It uses the potential of ‘reframing’ situations to unearth creative responses to those situations and to develop new knowledge of practice for those situations. Over time it becomes a developing state of mind so that we can reflect in action, not just on action. These pop-up sessions are for anyone to join, but are particularly aimed at those in smaller teams who might otherwise struggle to engage in reflective practice. For joining details, please contact; Mark Newitt at mark.newitt@freechurches.org.uk

Find out more here.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

A day of walking and spiritual reflection based in the stunning hills of Llandudno, North Wales, with time at the Loreto Centre.

Register your place HERE.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

Please visit here for more information.

One of the challenges for chaplaincy is to develop ways of demonstrating the value of our care. This study day, supported by the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains and the Free Churches Group. will explore a range different way of doing that. Confirmed speakers include:

• Mark Evans, National Adviser for Spiritual Care in the Scottish Government

• Frin Lewis-Smith  specialist chaplain for oncology and palliative care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

• Steve Nolan  Bereavement & Spiritual Care Lead, Princess Alice Hospice and Visiting Research Fellow at University of Winchester 

• Clare Pye, Research & Innovation Manager at St Luke's Hospice in Sheffield

Booking to come, but please put the date into your diary.
Cost: £50 (with a reduction for AHPCC members and chaplains listed in the FCG Directory)

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

Please visit here for more information.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

Please visit here to find out more.

We are delighted to invite you to the induction Service for the Revd Dr. Tessa Henry-Robinson, who will succeed Revd Helen Cameron as the Moderator of the Free Churches Group.

This promises to be an inspiring service, during which we will formally welcome Revd Dr. Tessa to her new role, spend time in worship, offer prayers, and hear her first formal address as Moderator. We will also take the opportunity to express our gratitude to Revd Helen Cameron for her service and dedication as the Moderator of the Free Churches Group over the last few years.

We hope many from across the Free Churches community will join us for this special occasion. The Service of Induction will take place at the American International Church, 79a Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 4TD, on Sunday 13th April 2025, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Please register for this free event via Eventbrite page HERE.

Join us for- Unchained Nights. A Symphony of Redemption performed by artists with lived experience of the criminal justice system.

Welcome to Unchained Night's!

Join us for Unchained Nights at the TRAMSHEAD. A powerful evening of live poetry and music, created by Becoming Unchained CIC and hosted by Lady Unchained. This unique event provides an artistic platform for Black and Global Majority artists with lived experience of the criminal justice system, using creativity to break the chains that often remain long after prison or direct contact with the system.

Funded by- BAOBAB FOUNDATION

Featuring:

Soul-stirring poetry, Real Rap and Gospel.

Electrifying live music by The Mic Hub – M.I.C.

Why Attend?
-Witness raw, unfiltered storytelling through art
-Celebrate resilience, creativity, and community
-Support artists who are reclaiming their narratives

Reserve your place HERE.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

For more information, please visit here. Please let mark.newitt@freechuches.org.uk know if you’d like a diary invite and if you’d like to present at one of the sessions.

A day of reflection , restoration and retreat for chaplains with Rev Grace Allick, held at Oriel College, Oxford.

Please join us on Wednesday 19 March 2025 in Oxford for a day of reflection, retreat, and recharging at Oriel College, Oxford University. The day will be led and facilitated by Rev. Grace Allick, who is a member of the Free Churches Group Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee and who leads on Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Assemblies of God denomination. Grace has a wealth of healthcare chaplaincy experience and will lead us in reflection and encouragement around our chaplaincy roles.

To learn more about Grace: Hello. I’m Grace Allick — Free Churches Group

Tickets cost £15 for FCG Chaplains or £25 for non-FCG Chaplains. Please note that refunds can be issued up to 7 days beforehand, but for catering reasons not beyond that date.

Book your place here.

We’re excited to invite you to an engaging and thought-provoking seminar exploring the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within churches and faith-based organisations. This event will address how AI can transform faith-based work, from organising services and social action to optimising resources and improving outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised groups.

Keynote Speakers

We’re honoured to welcome:

Revd Professor David Wilkinson – ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science)

Sara Speicher – World Association for Christian Communication (WACC)

Book your place HERE.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

For more information and to join the session, please visit HERE.

Please visit here to find out more.

Visit here for more information.

Book your place HERE.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

Please visit here to find out more.

For more information and to join the session, please visit HERE.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

For more information and to join the session, please visit HERE.

Please visit here to find out more.

This is an online support meeting for all FC Prison Chaplains. The primary function of these is to gather together to pray for each other, hear how things are going in other prisons, and generally share news. In gathering with one another, we hope we can begin to feel that sense of fellowship among Prison Chaplains.

To join the meeting or for more information, please contact

Rev Bob Wilson at bob.wilson@freechurches.org.uk

For more information and to join the session, please visit HERE.

The Free Churches Group Nourishing Roots sessions are a series of quiet days designed to give chaplains an opportunity to recharge, relax and re-energise. The days are arranged with FCG chaplains in different sectors in mind but open up to others interested in attending. Further details will be in due course, but you may want to put the date in your diary.

Find out more and register your place here.