NEWS
The Investing Together Values
VALUE: Intentionally include the gifts and contributions of children and young people as equal partners and participants in God’s Kingdom, investing time and resources to reflect this.
ENGAGE: Adjust infrastructures and systems to enable the voice and participation of children and young people to be genuinely equipped in the local and national church, ensuring opportunities for them to shape how we join in God’s mission.
COLLABORATE: Work together across perceived divides, creating inter-cultural, inter-generational and ecumenical connections so that children and young people truly feel part of God’s wider church. We want to see everyone playing a part in God’s mission to those around us.
The invitation to invest together was launched on 23rd March, and you can find the video of the launch here .
A website is being developed, but an introductory document can be found HERE.
We very much hope that member churches will:
a. Add your name to this invitation to the church, so that we can collectively ask them to more intentionally move towards these values.
b. Share any stories to inspire or other resources, so that we can add them to the webpage once it’s ready.
c. Get in touch with any queries or suggestions.
If you’d like to know more, please contact Sarah Lane Cawte: sarah.lane.cawte@ freechurches.org.uk
Or Sarah Holmes: sarah.holmes@cym.ac.uk
Investing Together - Online Launch, 23rd March 26, 1 pm
Having spent a year consulting and co-creating this charter, we are excited to invite you to the online launch of this initiative…
Monday 23rd March, 1 pm on Zoom
Please join us, and spread the word to invite any individuals, churches, partner orgs etc…everyone who is passionate about sharing the Gospel with children and youth is very welcome to join us! We are calling the UK church to invest together in the faith of children and young people, informed by research and equipped and empowered by all of the resources, tools and training collectively pooled by CYP organisations. We can reach more children and young people when we invest together.
From Gemma Madle & Hannah Bowden (Youthscape), Sarah Lane-Cawte (Free Churches Group) and Sarah Holmes (CYM)
CoNNECT II, Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research
Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research,
with input from Andrew Todd
Lumen United Reformed Church & Community Centre, URC London
Thursday, Mar 12 from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
An opportunity to connect and network, with a particular focus around the use of case studies.
As with the first CoNNECT day, we are looking to bring together practitioners, educators, researchers, and those involved in supporting, developing, and providing chaplaincy and pastoral care across different contexts. The day is aimed at all those who are interested in understanding chaplaincy, developing practice across different contexts, and supporting chaplains through participatory research.
Chaplaincy is at heart relational. The day will share details of a Case Study project from the Netherlands and the idea of ‘living human encounters’ which emerged from it. As a way of connecting our stories, there will be an opportunity to share and reflect on pastoral encounters, offering a taste of case study research.
The final part of the day will be an optional session for those who would be interested in forming a steering group to develop ideas for a Case Study project and a potential pilot research community within that.
Alongside Sarah Lane Cawte, Mark Newitt and Bob Wilson, we are delighted that Andrew Todd will help us facilitate the day. Andrew is Director of the Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology and Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University and the Cambridge Theological Federation. Andrew brings a wealth of experience, having previously coordinated the Centre for Contemporary Spirituality at Sarum College and, prior to that, he set up and ran the Cardiff Centre for Chaplaincy Studies. Andrew is a practical theologian and ethnographer who has researched and published on chaplaincy and related issues in religion and public life.
Education Sunday 14th September 2025: Lost and found
“Lost and Found” is the theme for Education Sunday 2025.
On Education Sunday, 14 September, we will be looking at the well-known parables from Luke’s Gospel, the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15.1-10).
In our schools, colleges and universities, there are many young people who feel lost, or appear to be lost. This can be because the institutions are so big that they don’t feel noticed, because don’t feel they fit with the expectations of the institution or their peers or because of the unseen struggles at home. Others appear to us to be lost because of the way they behave or fail to engage.
The introduction to the 2025 Education Sunday theme has been written by Rev Viviene Royal, the Executive Head of two alternative provision schools in the West Midlands. She says: “Our work is about being relentless in the search: finding the young person who’s become disconnected, rebuilding trust, and unlocking the door to learning again. We focus on the individual, and one-to-one pastoral support is key. Like the shepherd and the woman, we search and we keep searching.”
Please visit the CTE website to download the Education Sunday resources.
In addition to the usual resources for worship, we will be hosting a webinar helping churches to explore the issues raised by the TV series Adolescence and to consider how churches might respond on Tuesday, 16 September, from 4.30–6 pm.
Nourishing Routes - at the Loreto Centre, Llandudno - with Rev Bob Wilson
A day of walking and spiritual reflection based in the stunning hills of Llandudno, North Wales, with time at the Loreto Centre.
Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:00 - 16:00, Loreto Centre, Abbey Road, Llandudno, LL30 2EL
Please join us on Thursday 17 July at the Loreto Centre in Llandudno, North Wales, for our next Nourishing Roots event - 'Nourishing Routes'.
Nourishing Roots retreat days, held three times a year, are an opportunity for chaplains in healthcare, prisons, education and beyond to retreat, reflect and recharge spiritually and emotionally from their challenging ministry contexts.
This retreat will be based at the Loreto Spirituality Centre near the stunning coastline of Llandudno, and will include times of reflection alongside guided walks around Great Orme and the surrounding area.
The day will be led by Rev. Bob Wilson, Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Advisor. Bob is a Baptist minister and Free Churches Faith Advisor to both publicly and privately run prisons. This work sees him regularly visiting all 124 establishments across England and Wales for the pastoral support of Prison Chaplains, and to support prison management. He is also a keen rock climber and outdoors enthusiast, and has many years experience in helping chaplains retreat and reflect on ministry.
The ticket price is £15 for chaplains from FCG denominations and £25 for all others. (Please ask Thandar <thandar.tun@freechurches.org.uk> for an FCG Chaplains discount code).
Please note that refunds can be issued up to 7 days beforehand, but for catering reasons not beyond that date.
The Loreto Centre may be able to offer a limited amount of accommodation before or after the retreat day. Please note on your sign-up form if you are interested in this.
Register your place HERE.