NEWS
Praying for our prisons...
A WEEK OF PRAYER for prisons coming up this autumn - join in from 13th – 19th October 2019
Each year, for a week in October, churches and groups are especially encouraged to pray for prisons. We want to encourage you to join this wave of prayer.
Did you know… There are over 82,00 women and men in prison in England and Wales.
Did you know… There are over 93,000 children in England and Wales who have a parent in prison.
Read that again…
93,000 children.
That is more than the capacity of Wembley stadium.
As Christians, we know and feel the power of prayer. We are assured that God works in the world through His almighty grace & mercy, and hears our prayers.
The theme for Prisons Week this year is based on Psalm 111:9: What does freedom mean to you?
You can find out more and register your interest in praying during Prisons Week here:
This coming Sunday, why not chat to those in your church fellowship about this and see how you can get ready to support this wave of prayer and action in autumn.
The Free Churches Group are proud to be among the many sponsors and supporters of Prisons Week.
(Image courtesy of Mohamed Nohassi at Unsplash)
Mental health matters - a dynamic and informative conference coming up in October
We all know that mental health matters - it matters for ourselves, our churches, our families and across our wider community!
Are you a Christian leader working in a role which supports others?
The Free Churches Group are hosting a conference to support Christian leaders, chaplains, student workers and anyone interested in looking after their own mental health and that of others. This will be held at Bloomsbury Baptist Church, London on Wednesday 23rd October.
Lots of varied conference content and the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics… Theological input, panel discussions and a choice of workshops including exploring mental health first aid, supporting those in study, and worship and dementia.
Please also feel free to share this link with people in your network.
The conference costs are £25 per person and you can find out more information and book your place here.
Come along and be inspired… learn together…
Develop skills and share good practice in this important area of ministry
For information contact sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk
Tickets provided through Eventbrite
Form and Flourish - to re-form... that's the theme for this year's Education Sunday!
Education Sunday theme this year is: ‘Form and flourish - to re-form’. You can download, share and make use of the varied and inspiring resources on this theme HERE.
For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales. It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. This special day is coming up soon - Sunday 8th September. You can share and use the free resources on this day or at any time in the year!
This year the resources include a hymn written by our very own Sara Iles, FCG Education Assistant, based on Deuteronomy 32:11!
A PRAYER FOR EDUCATION SUNDAY
Loving Lord, We think of the children and young people close to our hearts And know that they are precious in your sight, fearfully and wonderfully made; And so we place them into your hands today. Strengthen and nurture them. Be with them in their coming in and going out, At home, at school, at college, at university, In their sports, activities and clubs, their friendships and their quiet times. Mould them in your image, forming and reforming, Through the positive influence of those whose lives cross theirs, Through the love and example of those who care for them, And through the constant love of your Son, Jesus, who walks alongside them each step of their lives, known or unknown. Amen.
(Image courtesy of Swapnll Dwivedi at Unsplash)
Exciting Christian Youth event coming up in September....
There is a dynamic and inspiring youth event coming up in September which we would like to share with you!
For the seventh year running, REBOOT is coming to London and this year they’ll be at Central Hall, Westminster. Last September, over 1,350 teenagers packed out the venue and we’re praying for at least as many this year – and hoping that number might include you and the young people in your congregation.
Please share news of this event with your churches, youth groups and communities!
You can download the event flyer and also a link to download the promo videos here, in case you’re interested to show them at your church. If you would like to receive hard copies of the flyer, please send an email to media@zachariastrust.org indicating the address and number of flyers you'd like and these will be mailed to you.
(photo courtesy of Devin Avery @ Unsplash)
New website for RE Today
FCG has been active partners with RE Today over the last few years. We collaborated with them on our Reforming Christianity resources.
RE Today is delighted to announce that its new website is now live. The website showcases how RE Today works with schools, SACREs, funders supporting them with high-quality, bespoke RE consultancy services. It also has a resource section which signposts teachers to over 1500 resources which are now all available on the NATRE website with a simple search facility, as well as searchable CPD section. If you are interested in Religious Education or are seeking ideas to use in your churches, their new website is well worth a browse!
Take a look for yourself HERE.
Photo courtesy of Debby Hudson @ Unsplash