Global Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry coming up on 25th August - join us

There will be a Global Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry on 25th August.

For the last 12 years the IPCA Steering Committee has invited all those involved in prison ministry around the world to come together in a special day of prayer on 25 August, the birthday of IPCA. Each year one of the regions prepare the prayer day program. Here’s the link to liturgy resources for the Global Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry in a variety of different languages. You are encouraged to share the resources among your colleagues and church networks. The theme for this year is: the Grace of God

Please encourage your church fellowships to get involved by praying in your homes or by safely physically distanced in your churches (as appropriate). Join with the Free Churches Group and many other ecumenical partners across the globe for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

The Free Churches Faith Adviser to the Prison Service, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair to the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

IPCA’s mission is: Uniting, encouraging and equipping... a global network of prison chaplains as they share God’s love and restoring justice.

(image courtesy of IPCA website)

Ready, steady, pray... for prison chaplains across the world!

The Free Churches Faith Adviser to the Prison Service, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair to the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA). We are invited by Rev Bob and all the the members of the IPCA network to join in a global wave of prayer for the work and ministry of the IPCA!

A day of prayer is taking place for prison chaplains across the world on 25th August 2020. Please encourage your church fellowships to get involved by praying in your homes or by safely physically distancing in your churches (as appropriate).

Join with the Free Churches Group and many other ecumenical partners across the globe for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

The theme for this year is: The Grace of God

The IPCA has produced an order of service, complete with readings from Scripture and prayers for you to share and pray through.

Join us as we pray together… you can download the prayer and worship resource HERE

(photo courtesy of Mike Labrum at Unsplash)

Loving God, we thank You that Your church extends beyond walls and fences...

Many years ago, while I was training for Christian ministry with the Congregational Federation (who are members of FCG) I had the honour of serving alongside a prison chaplaincy team at HMP Leyhill.

The module in which I was able to undertake this amazing placement was called - Serving God - beyond the church walls. It was one of the most remarkable and grace filled parts of my training and continues to inform and inspire my ministry to this day! Loving God, we thank You that Your church extends beyond walls and fences...

This week we see that the prayers we are encouraged to join with Prison Fellowship for are all about how the church extends beyond walls and how God gives us the opportunity to serve beyond the church building.

Revd Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

Prison Fellowship Prayers for Sunday 26th July

God, your church extends beyond walls and fences, encompassing all who trust Jesus as their Saviour.

Thank you that we are united with our brothers and sisters in prison.

Amen

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years. Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their July Prayer Diary HERE. August’s prayer diary will be out soon!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8

(photo courtesy of Lauriane Sevestre at Unsplash)

Free webinar - racial justice / criminal justice - what can your church do?

A free webinar is coming up on 22nd September from 6.30-8pm

It will be on the theme of racial justice / criminal justice and exploring what your church can do in light of these matters.

Key note speakers include:

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Vanessa Jardine, Deputy Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.

To register for this event please see link HERE.

Praying alongside the Prison Fellowship...

Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship this Sunday and in the days ahead?

Prison Fellowship’s mission is to “show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them”… for the last 40 years they have been working with, supporting and praying with and for prisoners across England and Wales.

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years.

Did you know that there are two Church of England bishops who serve as what is known as ‘prison bishops’? They are Bishop James of Rochester and Bishop Rachel of Gloucester. The Bishop to Her Majesty's Prisons is an episcopal post relating to the church's chaplaincy to Her Majesty's Prison Service.

This Sunday we are encouraged to pray with Prison Fellowship for the work these ministers undertake advocating for prisoners.

Prayer for Sunday 19th July

We pray for Bishop James of Rochester and Bishop Rachel of Gloucester who are the “prison bishops” for the Church of England. Thank you God, for the passion you have given them for this work. Would you bless their ministry and their advocacy for those inside

Amen

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers…

Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their July Prayer Diary HERE.

(image courtesy of at Om Prakash Sethia Unsplash)