A caring world...?

Over the last few years, the FCG as part of our work with our Free Church Education Committee, have been praying, planning and working through ways we can support our member churches and groups become more engaged in the world of further education (FE). This is something we care about deeply.

We have provided a range of resources, prayers and ideas for how you and your churches can get involved in this educational sector; a sector that presents a vibrant and vital part of each and every one of our communities.

Trinny, who wants to develop skills as a care worker and gain college qualifications, has faced some struggles along the way, but with the support of her tutors and support staff, she has been able to progress - she is working in care in a world she now knows cares about her!

Read Trinny’s story here and find out how you can help young people like Trinny make her way in the world of education and work. By using the ideas and resources in this link, you too can show how your church cares about young people at your local college….

Pray with us…

Living God, we pray that you will guide and inspire all those students embarking on training for employment and all those seeking support and new learning for their personal development, especially those whose confidence is low or who are struggling with anxiety or money worries.

We pray for the staff and chaplains at our colleges and learning providers, that they have the courage, wisdom and stamina to support the students.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Fruitfulness on the Frontline - a 6 week Bible study for Youth groups

The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity along with the charity serving and supporting Christians in FE (Festive) have developed a great resource which share, pray and study through in your youth group.

“Fruitfulness on the Frontline resource is for 16-19 year olds.

Over six weeks you’ll chat together, pray together, delve into God’s word together,

and see how to make everything you do count for Jesus and his Kingdom!”

You can download this interesting and helpful pack here. Feel free to share this link with your churches and youth groups.

Festive have been working alongside FCG over the last couple of years and we have been developing a fruitful working relationship with them - find out more about the work FCG has been doing in the FE Sector here.

A Prayer for Further Education

Living God, we pray for the students, tutors and support staff in our further education establishments in our area. May students be filled with strength, determination and wisdom to fulfil their potential in their vocational and academic studies.

Amen.

(photo courtesy of Sugar Bee at Unsplash)

What kind of friend are you?

Festive, whom the FCG Education Team have been working alongside for some time, have an interesting and thought provoking take on this question - what kind of friend are you?

If I was to ask myself that question, I would say kind and loving, but sometimes I find myself feeling impatient and judgmental which has a serious impact on my kindness! We’re all a work in progress and this article asks some interesting questions about what matters the most!

The article has been written for the charity who work with Christians and further education - you can read the piece here….

You can also find out more about the work FCG has been doing in the field of further education and download free resources to support your church to engage with this varied and vital area of community life.

Sara Iles, FCG Education Asst

(image courtesy of Thought Catalog at Unsplash)

Prayer focus for all 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

(photo courtesy of Perry Grone at Unsplash)

PRISON - the facts - Summer 2019

Each season The Prison Reform Trust publish a bulletin outlining the state and statistics in British prisons.

They are a registered independent charity and their mission is to work to create a just, humane and effective penal system. They do this by inquiring into the workings of the system; informing prisoners, staff and the wider public and by influencing Parliament, government and officials towards reform.

The Prison Reform Trust's main objectives are: reducing unnecessary imprisonment and promoting community solutions to crime; improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families; promoting equality and human rights in the justice system.

You can read their latest news here.

The independent nature of the work they do means they can dig deep into the issues and policies affecting those serving prison sentences. You can read the summer report (Bromley Briefing) in full here… but here are a couple of stats which show some of the issues facing the sector and the prison population this summer: “The overall quality of teaching and learning in prisons in England has declined. Just two-fifths (42%) of prisons were rated as ‘good’ or better by inspectors in 2017–18, down from half the year before. More than three in five (62%) of people entering prison were assessed as having a reading age of 11 or lower —over three times higher than in the general adult population (15%).”

*** How does your church get involved with the life and times of those in prison and on their release?

Why not join in the wave of prayer for prisons in Prisons Week, coming up from 13th-19th October?

Perhaps you could offer a welcome to those who are leaving prison? The Welcome Directory can help you to prepare for this.

Theme for Prisons Week this year is based on Freedom - ‘He sets his people free. He made his agreement everlasting. He is holy and wonderful.’ Psalm 111:9 (NCV)

(photo courtesy of Damon Lam at Unsplash)