NEWS
FCG Education Prayer (Week 5) - focus on all those in formal and informal education
Loving God,
We pray for all of those in formal and informal education: for those in colleges, universities, in our churches, our Bible study groups, our local schools, for those throughout our community centres, in evening classes and those exploring new pathways. Guide them and support them.
We pray that it is a time of transformation, joy, challenge, personal growth and vocational.
We pray for those in training for ministry and Christian service in our own denominations and across the member churches of the Free Churches Group.
We pray for the students and tutors involved in theological education and ministerial formation. May God uphold, provoke and guide them.
We pray for all those who are on a path to seek 'life in all its fullness' (John 10:10).
Loving God, encourage us to keep praying on this, to learn and share more about the gift of
education and to act with courage, conscience and conviction in your name!
In Jesus' name, our friend and teacher,
Amen
(Image shared, with kind permission of Adrian Wyatt of Xross Purposes. Visio Divina photography workshops; contact Adrian for further information on -ade.wyatt@gmail.com tel: 07976 362 615)
Free Church Chaplains Study Day
‘Meeting the challenge of a Major Incident’
Tuesday 7th November 2017, 10:30-15:30,
10:00 am for Coffee/Tea
Free Churches House, 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH
The study day and lunch provided is at no cost to attendees.
Free Church Health Care Chaplains are invited to join the study day at Free Churches House on 7th November 2017.
The theme of the day is ‘Meeting the challenge of a Major Incident’, and we have been asked if we would share insights from the arena of Health Care with those from Higher Education and the Prison Service, as Chaplains in public institutions are often called upon to support and care for individuals, and institutions at the time of major incident or crisis.
We will spend the morning sharing updates and concerns in Health Care, colleagues from Higher Education and the Prison service will join us for lunch.
The aim of the afternoon is to explore processes and practices in the different sectors with a view to sharing best practice and developing a dialogue of support and ongoing development.
Please find click here for details programme. I would be very grateful if you could register with Thandar (thandar.tun@freechurches.org.uk) so that we can ensure we have enough lunch and enough chairs!
We look forward to seeing you on 7th November.
Debbie Hodge
Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Free Churches Group
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?