NEWS
Encounter 13 | Incarceration
Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash
How does religion play a role in our prison system?
Can faith stop prisoners reoffending?
We speak to Dr Ruth Armstrong from the Institute of Criminology in Cambridge to assess these questions before a hands on discussion with Imam Farooq Mulla and Bob Wilson, both of whom have spent years bringing their faith to the UK’s incarceration system. What are the challenges of this job? In what ways can prisoners be redeemed? And does our prison system need urgent help?
Please find out more about the Podcast on Woolf Institute’s website here.
Lessons learnt from World War One
Photo by James Harris on Unsplash
Amid the destruction and chaos of WW1, and in response to the injuries sustained innovations in medicine and surgical techniques led to much that we take for granted today.
The need for cleanliness in caring for the wounded, the development of blood transfusions, the idea of triage ( the order of treatment dependant on need) are all common place now – if you go to Accident and Emergency Department you will see the Triage Nurse first who will prioritise your care. The National Blood Transfusion Service is now an integral part of our NHS. There was the development of the Thomas splint, for dealing with broken legs and of course the gas mask!
The words Shell Shock were used for those who were suffering from what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - the verbal expression of trauma.
Those who declared themselves unable to cope, through shell or combat shock or devastating loss of comrades, were generally treated as malingerers rather than victims.
Few doctors, with the notable exception of W.H Rivers and Arthur Brock at Craiglockhart Hospital for victims of shell shock, explored the verbal expression of trauma. Before 1917, treatment for shell shock involved being forbidden to talk about the war. One officer, treated by Rivers at Craiglockhart, said ‘that it was obvious to him that memories such as those he had brought with him from the war could never be forgotten. Nevertheless, since he had been told by everyone that it was his duty to forget them he had done his utmost in this direction. It was felt that silence settled the mind, and that unpleasant memories could be replaced by means of pleasant activities such as walking and sports. An advertisement in the Pall Mall Gazette (8 May 1919) read: ‘So bury all those unpleasant memories in Dora’s waiting grave … and get your Austin Reed straw hat to signalise the event’ [DORA was the Defence of the Realm Act].
A poem by Cecil Lewis demonstrat1es this aspect of war and reminds us all of not only PTSD, but other mental health issues in society today:
Photo by Thomas Quaritsch on Unsplash
War is never over
Though the treaties may be signed
The memories of the battles
Are forever in our minds
War is never over
So when you welcome heroes home
Remember in their minds they hold
Memories known to them alone
War is never over
All veterans know this well
Now other wars bring memories back
of their own eternal hell
War is never over
For I knew world war two
And I'll not forget the battles
Or the nightmares that ensue
War is never over
Those left home to wait know this
For many still are waiting
It was their farewell kiss
War is never over
Though we win the victory
Still in our minds the battles
No freedom is not free
Revd Debbie Hodge
Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Free Churches
Project Officer NHS Chaplaincy Project
Are you and your church based in the West Midlands?
As you may already know, the Free Churches Group have been developing ways in which our member churches can get involved in Further Education and the life and work of chaplaincy in our local colleges…. you can read more about our work in general in this arena HERE.
If you or your churches have connections in the West Midlands, you may wish to know more about the WMCFEC….
The West Midlands Churches’ Further Education Council exists to:
Support colleges in the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students and the training and resourcing of staff in matters of faith and spirituality
Support churches in valuing FE and lifelong learning as part of their wider involvement in education, and providing resources and training to partner colleges in their work
There are lots of links and resources to check out, whether you are in West Mids or further afield… Many colleges in the West Midlands are looking to developing their work and engage chaplains - perhaps there are people in your churches who would be able to use their gifts in local colleges…? Find out more and get involved HERE.
Read all about it! Latest news from Festive!
The Free Churches Group have been developing productive working relationships with Festive, the Christian charity who actively engage with the Further Education sector. We have been doing this to strengthen strategic links and to empower our FCG member churches to be able to engage more with the world and the life, issues and joys of Christians in FE. (Festive stands for Further Education and Sixth Form Initiative)
You can read the latest news from Festive HERE.
Why not subscribe HERE to their newsletter so you can keep in touch with their work?
In the month’s edition, there is lots to read, learn about and pray for, including….
Prayer for students & workers in FE
Interview with Phil Metcalf, an FE chaplaincy ambassador
Some updates for your prayers
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus
and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers..” Ephesians 1:15
Every school, a prayed for school... pray with us on 20th November
Join us in an international day of prayer for schools, coming up soon!
Pray Day is the third Tuesday of November every year when schools across Europe and around the world are the focus of prayer.
This year it will be held on Tuesday 20th November 2018, with schools across the UK taking part. If you haven’t heard about it before, this is a day set aside every year for people across Europe to focus on praying for their schools, with events taking place in many countries including the UK. The day is for:
all types of school from nursery to sixth form
pupils, school staff, governors, parents, church leaders, youth workers and anyone else concerned about young people
anyone who believes that God hears our prayers
Resources for PrayDay 2018 based on Psalm 100 - a psalm for giving thanks to God
You can download the Prayer Sheet and other ideas for getting involved HERE.
“Shout to the LORD with joy, everyone on earth. Worship the LORD with gladness. Come to him with songs of joy.”