NEWS
Hope in Higher Education Forum
Read the Forum report and find out more about our work in HE
The Hope in Higher Education Forum took place at Bloomsbury Baptist Church in summer 2016. The Forum was organised in order to bring to bring together a range of key decision-makers in denominations, and people with interest and experience in higher education, mission and evangelism, and work with young people.
The Forum offered opportunities to build networks of expertise and shared interest, but
most importantly to begin to plan strategic action and involvement with higher education.
The aim was to make specific recommendations for action, and for plans to begin to take
shape on the day, and for the momentum to build from that point.
This report aims to provide a record of the discussions, questions and recommendations
emerging from workshops and plenary sessions. It is in no way a complete record but
offers a summary of key points. The summaries have been presented in different ways:
some lend themselves to presentation as a mind-map, as there are a number of discrete
and inter-related themes; others have been presented as lists of bullet-points, sometimes
divided into the sections provided by the groups.
Much progress has been made in the last year on the actions and ideas from this Forum.
FCG are continuing to work with experts and representatives from the field of Higher Education to make progress on these developments.
If you would like to find out more about this important work or explore ways your church / denomination might get involved, please contact Sarah Lane Cawte, FCG Education Officer: sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk
To read a full copy of the Forum Report, click HERE.
'Don't lock people out of education!'
Adult and Community Learning - education gives us freedom to grow!
Free Churches Group Education Assistant, Sara Iles, is a member of the Society for Education and Training (SET). This society is for professional teachers and trainers in the further education and training sector.
Fellow SET member, Nafisha Graham-Brown, in a recent interview, urges us: 'Don't lock people out of education!'. Nafisha works with some of the most disadvantaged in our communities. You can see the video and read the full article here:
The Free Churches Group (FCG) are developing a strategy and action plan to support improving awareness and partnership working with further education. To find out more about this work or to get your church involved, contact: sara.iles@freechurches.org.uk
The FCG are fully committed to education which develops each one of our God-given potential. You can read more about the FCG work in FE HERE.
Prayer Spaces in Schools - free training sessions
Prayer Spaces in Schools
The Free Churches Group are actively involved with the Pray for Schools network.
Prayers Spaces in Schools are part of this exciting work.
For anyone in the North East who is interested in learning how to create a prayer space with schools in their area. There are Prayer Spaces training sessions in Durham on the morning and afternoon of 29th June.
For further information and to book a place, please visit their website: http://www.prayerspacesinschools.com/events/56
Welcome!
Sarah Lane Cawte, FCG Education Officer (left), pictured here with Revd Joy Langford, at the recent Congregational Federation National Assembly in Swansea
The Free Church Education Committee are pleased to welcome Revd Joy Langford to join their work.
Revd Langford is a Minister with the Congregational Federation and currently serves congregations in Nottingham City and Markfield in Leicestershire. She is also a tutor for the Congregational Institute for Practical Theology for modules in Christian service and leadership.
The Committee are looking forward to working with Joy.
Policing Around Places of Worship - Statement from the Head of Community Engagement for the Metropolitan Police
Over the next few days, communities of different faiths will congregate across London to celebrate their holy days. We know many will reflect on the terrible events of last Saturday evening in their readings and prayers but also that some will feel worried and vulnerable about their safety as they gather in their places of worship.
To help support these communities, we have increased the number of officers on the streets to reassure local people that they are able to go about their daily lives in peace and without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Dedicated Ward Officers are making contact with their local places of worship to encourage them to report hate crimes and to reassure those who congregate there that the police will take these crimes seriously.
The Metropolitan Police has made more than 25 arrests for hate crime offences since Saturday.
We have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported. The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.
"We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers any hate of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible."
Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the CST.
Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.
Head of Community Engagement for the Metropolitan Police