Free Churches Commission Project Update # 3, 4th October 2019

Photo credit: Emma Goff, image from Unsplash

The project has now been running for almost a year. We have completed the vast majority of our data gathering, and are now analysing the material to prepare the Commission write-up.

* Theos researchers have consulted 353 participants across 282 interviews, and completed 19 observations. That equates to a rate of more than one participant every day since the project began!

* Research teams have visited Bolton, Bury, Bradford, Middlesbrough, Derby, Peterborough, East Lindsey, Solihull, Thanet, Plymouth, Cornwall, Newham, Haringey and Croydon.

* In partnership with the Cadbury Centre, the Free Churches Group and Theos have started a series of roundtable events which have brought expert voices into conversation with the emerging themes of the project.

* We have also interviewed a selection of experts in this field as participants in their own right, from academia, policy, and frontline delivery.

We have seen inspiring work happening across the country, demonstrating the power of positive partnership and the incredible potential of the church in every place we have visited. We have noted the unique assets that local churches can bring to their neighbourhoods – whether that is their buildings, strong leadership, the convening power to bring community voices together, the ability to mobilise volunteers, or (perhaps most importantly of all) a strong vision for the well-being of their communities.

The strength of this contribution also means that local churches are often on the frontline of service delivery – although this can sometimes bring tensions with local authorities, as churches risk going from ‘serving’ to becoming ‘service-providers’. This relationship worked most fruitfully when both parties understood the priorities and unique language of the other.

We are also excited that Theos and the Free Churches Group have been selected to deliver the British Academy’s Companion Review on “The Place of Faith & Belief in Social Cohesion”, as part of its Cohesive Societies series. Existing work in the series can be found here. This means that the FCG Commission itself will now be released in Summer 2020, later than originally scheduled. We look forward to expanding the reach of our investigation into a greater consideration of existing policy in this area, and applying what we find to the conclusions of the FCG Commission.

Praying with the victims of crime...

Continuing on the theme of freedom for this year’s Prisons Week, we are challenged to consider Where is freedom now? for the victims of crime.

For many people who have been affected by crime, it can mean feeling trapped in the circumstances and nightmares of that which has been perpetrated against them… it can lead to fear, hopelessness and grief…

The criminal justice system works hard to support victims of crime and programmes such as Restorative Justice can often bring about a sense of healing for those affected by crimes. All of our churches and communities are affected by crime in some way or know those who have been… .

Today’s prayer, this Prisons Week, is praying with the victims of crime….

Loving God, always close to us, be very present in lives shattered by crime, and with those searching for a freedom unjustly taken away. May your Spirit of comfort and healing find ways of breaking through walls of mistrust, fear and injustice, working through all who build us up with love and care, taking one step at a time on the path to freedom. Loving God, set us free. Amen.

“Unbind me from the bonds of grief and fear

that I may become again

the person you created me to be –

a person of joy, of love, of trust, and hope.”

Prayer of a victim of crime

(photo courtesy of Melanie Wasser @ Unsplash)

Breaking the bonds of fear and isolation...

Break the bonds of fear and isolation… this is a plea and a prayer to almighty God, for those who are in prison. It is part of the Prisons Week prayer.

During this week, churches and communities are praying for those who are in prison and those affected by crimes. The theme for Prisons Week this year is What does freedom mean to you? And are you free? and is inspired by the reassurance and promise we find in Holy Scripture in Psalm 111:9 (NCV): ‘He sets his people free. He made his agreement everlasting. He is holy and wonderful.’

The prayer for today starts with asking us this question…. Is freedom found outside the walls or inside ourselves?

How would you answer this?

Through the amazing work which our prison chaplains do, and with all the prayer and support that we can give from our churches, we can be active partners with God to…. break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support, with Your love, prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care.

PRAYING WITH PRISONERS - Holy God of all creation, you see inside each one of us, knowing us better than we know ourselves. You see the hurt and harm, the brokenness and sin. You know the truth about our past and our present, all that traps and imprisons us. Unlock our hearts to let Christ in, so that his love and strength can help overcome all that imprisons us and lead us to the freedom he promised in life, in death and in eternity. Holy God, set us free. Amen.

“Take me prisoner, Lord

And truly set me free;

Help me lay down my sword,

Then victorious I shall be.”

A prisoner’s prayer for Prisons Week

(photo courtesy of Hans Eiskonen @ Unsplash)

Reaching out - a partnership approach during Prisons Week

The Free Churches Group are key partners, along with many other Christian groups, who support and sponsor Prisons Week.

For forty years now, Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons. You can find out more about Prisons Week and make a donation to their vital work here.

Join with us, partners agencies, wider groups and churches from across the UK as we reach out in prayer, during Prisons Week.

Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day. Amen

There is prayer for each day throughout the coming week - share in your churches and groups.

What does the Psalmist say about freedom?

What does one of the Psalmists say about freedom? From Psalm 111:9, we read… ‘He sets his people free. He made his agreement everlasting. He is holy and wonderful.’ (NCV)

Freedom… what does freedom mean to you? You may have all sorts of powerful responses to this profound question. It may be a concept linked to your faith.

Freedom?

Do you live your life knowing the reassurance that God has set you free?

Do you live in the constant blessing of God’s wonderful and holy power?

Prisons Week theme this year explores the idea of freedom, in light of this Scripture verse, and encourages us to pray about and reflect upon what freedom means… what freedom means particularly for prisoners and their families as well as victims of crime, communities and those working in prisons. .

The Prisons Week prayer sheet, which you can download HERE can be shared in your church or be used as part of your personal devotions.

THE PRISONS WEEK PRAYER Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day. Amen.

(photo courtesy of Aaron Burden @ Unsplash)