NEWS
800,000 secondary pupils lose out on religious literacy!
No RE taught in a quarter of all UK state secondary schools
You may have already read or heard about this over the weekend, but the Free Churches Group are concerned about the lack of opportunities for children and young people to study RE at school. 800,000 secondary pupils lose out on religious literacy: No Religious Education (RE) is being taught in a quarter of all state secondary schools, raising serious implications for community cohesion and inclusivity.
The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, the RE Council and RE Today Services have jointly published a report on the current state of RE. It's called "The State of the Nation". You can read the full report HERE
New analysis of the Government’s School Workforce Census reveals that more than one in four (28%) state secondary schools are struggling to meet their legal obligation to teach pupils about major religions and systems of belief, depriving teenagers of vital knowledge about different faiths and beliefs in community, public and world affairs.
All state-funded schools, including academies and free schools, are legally required by the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act to provide Religious Education as part of a balanced curriculum.
The analysis of Government figures prompted the Religious Education Council and the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) to create a new State of the Nation report.
To read a summary of the report and hear from key people in the RE sector, see link HERE
A National Learning Alliance
Many Voices. One Vision.
The charitable and voluntary sector is often called the 'Third Sector'. There is a Third Sector National Learning Alliance (TSNLA) which is a growing, national alliance of voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises involved in learning and skills. They aim to provide a coherent national 'voice' from and for this sector's learning bodies to government departments and other important funding and policy bodies. They also aim to provide a forum for developing Third Sector ideas and proposals, with the key aim of enabling those most disadvantaged to re-engage with learning and skills. This is particularly relevant to us, as a network of churches who are keen to work towards equality in education and free and fair access to all, so each person can reach their God-given potential through learning and personal transformation.
Revd Sara Iles, the FCG Education Assistant, has worked for two learning providers from the Third sector in the past - ViSTA, Somerset and The Learning Curve, Wiltshire. She recognises and values the immense contribution that the voluntary and community sector make to developing the potential of people in our communities. Contact Sara to find out how to get involved: sara.iles@freechurches.org.uk
There will be a Third Sector provider in the area where your church is; for example, the Workers' Educational Association and many other learning providers.
If you are interested in education and training in the charitable sector then there are lots of resources and links on their website.
To read more about the work of this important Alliance, see their website: http://www.tsnla.org.uk/
Many Voices, One Vision!
Vision
Our vision is for all adults and young people to have the learning opportunities they want and need in order to realise their potential.
Mission
Our Mission is to represent the views of members to influence policy and address issues that impact on the skills, prosperity and well-being of learners.
Objectives
- Represent and champion Third Sector learning providers
- Inform and maintain effective communication with Third Sector learning providers
- Influence and respond to relevant policy and developments
- Foster partnerships and co-operation with key bodies and networks in the interests of Third Sector learning providers
- Support Third Sector learning providers to influence and inform understanding of the Third Sector at local, regional and national level
- Support providers to access the information, funding and resources they need to provide high quality accessible learning and skills provision which tackles economic and social disadvantage
- Review and enhance the TSNLA’s capability to deliver its objectives
FCG Education Prayer (Week 4) - Focus on Higher Education
A call to prayer
Merciful God,
We pray for all those starting university courses for degrees and vocational programmes.
We know this is a time of great change, so we humbly ask that you uphold and guide the
students at this time of transition.
We pray for the tutors and chaplains in universities - loving God, give them the wisdom, clarity
and patience to support the students and staff with compassion.
Living God, we pray for the parents, carers and church families who are waving off their
church / family members who are embarking on university courses. Give the parents, carers
and our churches the courage to be brave about this change in their family and church
community, as they see their loved ones go on to a new phase in life.
Majestic God, as students aim higher and develop their God-given potential, give students
firm foundations in your wisdom, rooted in your love and stability.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen
(Image courtesy of Ade Wyatt, Xross Purposes - Visio Divina tel: 07976 362 615)
A CALL TO SHARE
Want to learn more? Why should churches get involved? Find out more about university
chaplains in your area - through a national ministry partner of the Scripture
Union: http://chaplaincycentral.co.uk/churches/why-should-churches-get-involved/
A call to act
Do you know much about the universities in your area?
Have members of your own church family moved on to study at University this month? Are
you feeling equipped to welcome those moving into your area?
To find out more about this, why not check our these resources?
FCG Education Prayer (Week 3) - Focus on Religious Education
A call to prayer
For teachers and support staff in the teaching of RE and those studying RE at primary
and secondary school. We pray for NATRE (National Association of Teachers of RE)
and pray for wisdom as we engage with all faith traditions.
A call to share
- Learning more about your area and local providers.
A call to act
RE Reformation resources and why not register for the NATRE newsletter if the RE
curriculum interests and inspires you to dig deeper: https://www.natre.org.uk/
A date for your diary - Pray Day 21/11/17 HERE
Image courtesy of Ade Wyatt, Xross Purposes - Visio Divina tel: 07976 362 615
Prisons Week 2017
8th - 14th October 2017
A week of prayer
"Press On"
‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my
goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took
hold of me.’ Philippians 3:12 (NIV)
Prisons Week aims to encourage prayer and awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prisons staff and all those who care, reflected in the Prisons Week Prayer offered throughout the week:
Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the activities of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another. To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in His strength and in His Spirit, now and every day. Amen.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby writes:
The Apostle Paul here speaks as someone who knows the pain of endurance and hopelessness. Tortured and beaten, in prison many times for his faith, he nonetheless spoke to fellow prisoners about the hope he had found in Jesus. He had started as offender, hurting and maiming others, but found forgiveness and new life in Jesus. Yet life did not magically grow easier; instead he had to learn to live with his past, and face an uncertain present of false accusations and persecution for his faith. He was someone kept alive by hope, who endured and persevered in the face of desperate circumstances.
What better inspiration for all those connected to the criminal justice system, than Paul’s words? For the victims who struggle day by day to live with memories and scars, and hope for a better tomorrow; for the staff, who patiently come alongside broken men and women, and walk with them the slow road towards change; for prisoners themselves, trying to make sense of their lives, fighting against the scars and choices of the past and fear of the future; and for the families and friends of those in prison, faithfully visiting and supporting. Paul encourages all not to give up hope, but keep their eyes on the goal, keep going. Yet this isn’t about making efforts and working harder. It is about recognising that in Jesus, God has already ‘taken hold’ of us. That victims, prisoners, staff and families, are not walking this road alone, but God, who loves them, is ready to walk with them. In Prison Week, we stand in prayer with all who carry on in hope, that they would know they are loved by God and have the faith and courage to press on towards new life.
The Most Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
Each day of the week, a new prayer brings into focus a different group affected by prison or criminal justice. Churches and individuals are also asked to reflect on what they might do or offer as part of their response, through the range of Christian agencies and charities involved in supporting Prisons Week.
Download the Prayer Leaflets here and more information please visit here.