NEWS
As students go off to university for a new term, pray with us...
To help you to pray for students from your churches as they head off to begin a new term in 2020, and to support your church, your young people and family in this time of transition… The FCG Free Church Education Committee launched a range of flyers last autumn that can support you all. Feel free to download, print and share…
Branching Out - supporting young people who are going to university
Keeping in Touch - supporting young people who are at university
Making a Difference - supporting university students in your community
Home from Home - supporting university students in your church
Join with us as we pray…
Merciful God, we pray for all those on university courses for degrees and vocational programmes. We know this is a time of great change, so we humbly ask that you uphold and guide the students at this time of transition.
Living God, we pray for the parents, carers and church families who are waving off their church / family members who are embarking on university courses. Give the parents, carers and our churches the courage to be brave about this change in their family and church community, as they see their loved ones go on to a new phase in life. Amen
(photo courtesy of Sincerely Media at Unsplash)
Did you get a new diary for Christmas? Here's some dates for 2020 for you!
Ah, the joy of starting a new diary for the new year! There is often a feeling of so much to look forward to at the start of the new year…. We have some key dates to share with you, to help you to be part of the educational year ahead through prayer and Christian engagement in 2020.
2nd - 16th February - Love Our Schools. As we look forward to the new hope that springtime brings, we thought it’d be great to encourage Christians up and down the country to join together to ‘Love our schools!’
16th February - Student Sunday - Join students and churches around the world in February each year to mark the Universal Day of Prayer for Students (UDPS) or 'Student Sunday'. 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.
10th - 24th May - Pray for Schools Fortnight - The vision of Pray for Schools fortnight is to bring together people from local churches and others involved in education – parents, students, teachers, governors, staff and volunteers – to pray strategically for schools in their area and those involved in them.
13th September - Education Sunday - theme to be agreed. 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.
17th November - Pray Day for Schools - Pray Day is the third Tuesday of November every year when schools across Europe and around the world are the focus of prayer.
Here’s to a happy new year of prayer and community work in our churches, schools, colleges and universities. You can download free resources which the FCG has developed to help you in this work.
(photo courtesy of Essential Living at Unsplash)
Human beings have incredible value, says a prison chaplains association's recent report...
Human beings have incredible value…. that’s the title of the report from our very own Rev Bob Wilson, who is currently serving as the Vice Chair of International Prison Chaplains Association in Europe. The Committee of the European IPCA met in Norway earlier in the autumn.
Bob writes: “As we gathered together as the IPCA (Europe) steering committee in Oslo this autumn we were reminded time and again of the importance of seeing value in each other. Over the 72 hours that we were together, we visited two prisons, talked with prison staff, prisoners, prison managers, attended a lecture and discussed plans for the IPCA 2022 Quinquennial conference…. Chatting with prisoners over dinner, as they walked around the prisons, as they got on with their work, when they had sung to us in the chapel really did emphasise that valuing people, listening to people, getting to know people, seeking to understand people is truly transformative.”
You can read Bob’s full report HERE.
Date for your 2020 diary - We are encouraged by the Association to pray for this vital work on 25th August. This date in the International Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry.
PRAYER
Lord God, Blessed are you, creator of the universe. You have called us to serve you in bringing good news to the poor and liberty to those in prison. Look with kindness upon all who serve you in this ministry, grant us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your mission to all. Fill our hearts with zeal and perseverance as heralds of the Gospel. Amen
(photo courtesy of Chuttersnap at Unsplash)
The International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) has its roots in Scandinavia where Prison Chaplains from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have held biennial conferences since 1973. It is now a worldwide organisation across 6 global regions… In Europe… The FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and the Free Churches Faith Adviser, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair for IPCA Europe UK.
A Christmas message from the President of the International Prison Chaplains Association
The International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) has its roots in Scandinavia where Prison Chaplains from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have held biennial conferences since 1973. It is now a worldwide organisation across 6 global regions… In Europe… The FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and the Free Churches Faith Adviser, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair for IPCA Europe UK.
Rev Rod Moore, the President of the IPCA Worldwide, shares some thoughts with us, in his Christmas message:
“Across the globe we are constantly exposed to chaos and uncertainty on a daily basis. Many nations are in political upheaval, many millions of people are displaced from their homeland, global climate patterns are confused, the divide between the rich and the poor increases at an alarming rate and anyone who falls through the cracks seem to end up in the prisons of the world. Where can hope be found in the midst of so much pain and suffering? ‘Our hope is in the Name of The Lord who made Heaven and the Earth’ (Psalm 124:8)”
You can read Rev Moore’s full message HERE.
The IPCA’s mission is:
Uniting, encouraging and equipping... a global network of prison chaplains as they share God’s love and restoring justice.
(photo courtesy of Annie Spratt at Unsplash)
Will you be an Angel this Christmas and bring some joy?
The Prisons’ Team at the FCG has an excellent working relationship with Prison Fellowship. One of their most vital projects at this time of year is Angel Tree.
Rev Bob Wilson, our Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser, proudly supports their work in any way he can. Bob say, “Angel Tree is a superb example of seeking to address the issues of those serving a ‘hidden sentence’ through no fault of theirs in a way that demonstrates love, grace and generosity.”
Angel Tree gives parents in prison the opportunity to send a Christmas present to their children. Last year they sent out over 4,800 gifts! Christmas is especially difficult for prisoners and their children. Angel Tree lessens the devastation experienced as a result of parental absence by not only helping families connect and build relationships, but by providing children with much-needed joy.
Please pray that there will be a generous outpouring for Angel Tree, and that individuals and churches alike will feel called to support families separated by a prison sentence this Christmas. Amen
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5
(photo courtesy of Nick Fewings at Unsplash)