Is children's and young people's mental health getting worse?

This is a challenging question, with some worrying trends starting to emerge, so says a recent report from the NHS, as reported on the BBC news.

Many of us experience mental health issues at some stage in our lives and we may know children and young people in our churches and communities who are struggling right now with low esteem, poor mental health and anxiety.

You can read the report from the BBC HERE.

What can we do, as churches?

We can pray for our children and young people. We can pray for the services which support them at times of need.

We can pray for the work of our Free Church Healthcare Chaplains.

We can make our churches spaces where children and young people feel at ease to raise issues affecting them.

Perhaps there are ways that your church could support schools, youth groups and colleges pastorally?

Premier, a Christian broadcasting association have reported recently on this important topic and shared news about Action for Children Blues Programme - there may be activities and support groups as part of this programme running near you.

In your church lobby, why not display a Childline poster so those visiting can get free confidential advice and support if they need to?

You can also find out more about how to support children and families with online security here.

Inspire...

As part of our ecumenical and partnership work across the field of education, I am attending an Inspire evening, later courtesy of the Anglican Diocese of Bath and Wells. I am accompanying the Pray For Schools worker, Jane, to tell churches and visitors about the important work of Pray for Schools. FCG has been an active member of the steering group of Pray For Schools for many years.

You can strengthen the prayer you offer up for your local schools too, get involved in the network and download lots of free resources HERE.

Date for your diary - Pray for Schools Fortnight is coming up in May - why not get ready now and download resources and register your prayer meetings?

You can read more about the work of the FCG Education team and activities HERE.

Sara Iles, FCG Education Assistant

Praying for half term holidays

As part of our goal to feature articles and prayers from FCG member groups, here is a prayer written by the Congregational Federation for half term…

Prayers for this week 
Let’s pray for rest as schools and half term holidays start,
That those leading youth groups, teachers and all those who work with children can rest. 
We also pray for protection on children - that children are cared for and enjoy the week. 
We pray for any activities that may be taking place in our churches this week.

Amen.

You can find out more about the work of the CF HERE.

FCG are also part of a wider ecumenical network called Pray for Schools - you can find out more about this work HERE.

Celebrating half a century of The Open University

25 years ago, I began a course with The Open University (OU). It was a Diploma in European Humanities. It was at a time when I was working full time as a tutor in the Civil Service. The OU gave me a chance to study part time in a subject area that interested me, whilst continuing to work. I went on to gain a BA in Humanities which included taking modules in Religious Studies. The courses I took with the OU gave me the confidence to start a Theology degree and train for Christian Ministry. Join with me as I celebrate fifty years since the OU was set up. Let’s recognise the gift and the power of learning across all sectors and contexts.

Have you done a course lately? How does your church group / denomination support learning provision?

Perhaps there are some courses you can get involved in, to deepen your faith, train for Christian service or discern and respond to a Christian calling?

Sara Iles, FCG Education Assistant

The FCG are passionate about helping churches engage with learning and higher education in their communities. You can read more about the work the FCG has been doing in the field of higher education and read the report Hope in HE HERE.

A call to pray

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

Student Sunday is coming up soon....

The Universal Day of Prayer for Students (UDPS) is coordinated by the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), and has been celebrated since 1898, making it one of the oldest ecumenical days of prayer. It is marked on the third Sunday of February every year, serving as a tangible sign of our common life, connecting student movements and WSCF friends across the world. It’s coming up soon - this Sunday! 17th February - join in, join us, as we pray….

The FCG have been working with the Student Christian Movement over the last few years, as part of our work to develop how our churches can engage with higher education (HE) and universities. You can read more about the work FCG have done in the field of HE HERE.

Join students and churches around the world in February each year to mark the Universal Day of Prayer for Students (UDPS) or 'Student Sunday'. Save the date for 2019: 17th February. 

SCM has produced a resource toolkit for 2019 that can be used by churches, student groups and individuals. You can download a copy of the 2019 Student Sunday resources here. The theme this year is Wondering and Wandering.

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A call to pray

Merciful God, we pray for all those who are on university courses for degrees and vocational programmes.
We pray especially for those whom this is a new start… We know this can be 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 know and care for students. Give the parents, carers and our churches the courage to support and guide students.

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