Education Chaplaincy conference - book your place here!

As part of the work the Free Churches Group have been doing over the last few years, we have been keen to develop stronger links and networks to support chaplains working in education (across the schools, FE, university sectors). 

Chaplaincy Central are gathering for a conference in June. Might you be interested? Please also feel free to share this with leaders and workers in your church network. To book your place, click HERE. 

The Chaplaincy Central team writes: "On 20th June 2018, we will gather together at the Life community Church, Birmingham, for our second Chaplaincy Central conference. The focus of the day is ‘thriving not surviving’, and each seminar and workshop focuses on how we as Chaplains (whether voluntary or paid, full or part-time) and our school communities can thrive despite the challenges we may face. The day will be packed full of seminars and practical workshops, exploring themes such as ‘Responding to Tragedy’, ‘Mental Health’ and ‘Chaplaincy on a shoestring' plus many more! Whether you are a primary, secondary or FE Chaplain, there is something for everyone! We will be joined by a number of national organisations who will be available throughout the day there to share expertise and there will be a number of resources available for you to purchase on the day. It promises to be a fantastic day that encourages and equips. We hope to see you there!"

If you are thinking and praying about setting up a chaplaincy team in your church to serve in your local educational settings, you can find out more information on why it matters and how to get started on the Chaplaincy Central website. 

VIDEO: Compassion in the Dominican Republic

In late February, nine representatives from six of our twenty-four denominations had the privilege of visiting the work of Compassion in the Dominican Republic. Having accompanied the team, I know that this visit really inspired hope.

In the midst of the bustle of Santo Domingo it was wonderful to see how much Compassion is accomplishing for disadvantaged children through the local churches that deliver its programmes. We saw projects helping young mothers through their pregnancies and supporting them through their early experiences of parenting. We also saw excellent initiatives that encourage and equip deprived children from some of the Dominican Republic’s poorest areas. This visit definitely inspired us with hope and we have produced a video that we trust will inspire you too.

Fruitfulness on the Frontline...

The national Christian FE charity Festive have produced some inspiring and helpful resources for Christian Unions in colleges and for use in Christian youth groups in your churches and communities.

The resources are produced in partnership with The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) and are designed to support us to a 'make a difference where we are'! You can download and share these resources, free of charge, from the Festive website HERE. 

Here is an extract from the introduction:

• "Have you ever wondered: How can I make everything I do in my place of education count for Jesus and his Kingdom?
• How am I supposed to live as someone who belongs to God where I study?
• Festive has teamed up with LICC to adapt their amazing Fruitfulness on the Frontline (FOFL) resource to help you bear good fruit in your college in everything you do!"

Photo credit for picture of blossom on this article: Melissa, aged 13 

Check out and share the resources with your churches and youth groups... HERE

Exam season....

As we approach the exam season for many children, young people and students in schools, colleges and universities across the UK, why not share the Gathering Prayer from last year's Education Sunday resources in your churches in the coming weeks? This can be used, shared and adapted during your prayers of intercession for the needs in your community.

It can be a time of great stress for children and young people, as focus their energies on revision and planning for exams.... so join us as we pray for schools, colleges, young people, students and teachers.... Let us pray... 

And what will you be doing on Sunday 9th September 2018?

For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales. It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. The theme is to be announced soon and the materials will be available to download in the summer. This is devised by an ecumenical steering group representing different Christian denominations and organisations. The resources are intended to be used as a springboard for a variety of events on or around Education Sunday.

So make a note in your diary and check out the resources later in the summer. 

The date for 2018 is 9th September 2018

Praying...

The Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) aims to serve, inspire and equip Christians working in education. They produce a range of resources and materials to support and encourage Christians working across all sectors of education. They also have a monthly prayer diary which can be used in your churches - today ACT ask us to pray for volunteers who are taking assemblies in schools. Maundy Thursday is a poignant day and has much to teach us.

Let us pray...

Loving God, we ask that you uphold and strengthen Christian volunteers today, who are taking assemblies in schools across the UK and in the coming weeks as they seek to illuminate the story of Easter, offering hope and resurrection joy... 

May each one of them be guided by your Holy Word and inspired by the model of Jesus Christ, in his humility and his trust in You.

Amen

You can see and share the ACT Prayer Diary HERE. 

This Bible reading can help us in our prayers and reflections...

John 13:12-16 (ESV): "When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."

The Association of Christian Teachers, also known as ACT, is a Christian membership organisation that provides professional and spiritual support to Christians engaged in pre-school, primary, middle, secondary, special, college and university education in England. The ACT are active members of the Pray for Schools steering group.