NEWS
Light a candle of hope on Sunday 22nd March
A NATIONAL CALL TO PRAYER on 22nd March 7pm
In an excerpt from a joint letter issued today, they wrote: "At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly Father and the future that he holds. Therefore, at 7pm (GMT) this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer." Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to join with us in prayer to see an end to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
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*Safety note - please take all necessary fire precautions when using a lit candle. Ensure you remain with the lit candle at all times, and do not leave it to burn if you leave the room. Ensure there are no fabrics or materials such as curtains near the candle. If you are able to use a small electric ‘candle’ instead, that will be safe to leave unattended.
A national call to prayer has been proclaimed - join with us on 22nd March 7pm and Light a Candle of Hope
This Sunday, as Presidents of Churches Together in England we’re calling for a National Day of Prayer and Action in response to #COVID2019.
(The presidents of CTE are: Archbishop Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury; Cardinal Vincent Nichols, The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster; Revd Dr Hugh Osgood, The Free Churches Moderator; Archbishop Angaelos of London, CTE President for the Orthodox Churches; Pastor Agu Irukwu, CTE Pentecostal President.)
Let’s light candles of hope and look after each other.
Please share and join us: http://cte.org.uk/calltoprayer
All are welcome in this place...
Following advice from the Government advising churches to suspend public worship, whilst some churches are staying open to provide support in their communities, we are hosting a website page where member churches / groups can discover resources and still feel part of our wider Free Churches network. Over the next few weeks, we will share worship resources, Bible studies, reflections and prayers.
We would like to welcome you to this place…
General resources
Mothering Sunday invitation from Rev Barry Osborne (CEO Rural Mission Solutions) - Join a virtual service for Mothering Sunday; 10-10.30am
A national call to prayer 22nd March 7pm - Light a Candle of Hope Presidents of Churches Together in England - Archbishop Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury; Cardinal Vincent Nichols, The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster; Revd Dr Hugh Osgood, The Free Churches Moderator; Archbishop Angaelos of London, CTE President for the Orthodox Churches; Pastor Agu Irukwu, CTE Pentecostal President.
Daily devotions prepared by the United Reformed Church (URC) and shared here for you. You can also use this link to subscribe to these. Each Sunday, at 10 a.m., Sunday worship will be provided in written and audio form, complete with prayers and hymns to join in, in the style of a radio broadcast
Education
Healthcare
Dying Matters pamphlets and resources
Prisons
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Mother’s Day
(cover photo courtesy of Melissa, who is a 15 year old Gateway programme student)
Disclaimer: NB - all resources and information are for advice only. For medical and legal information about the Coronavirus pandemic please check HERE.
(Photo below from national orchid show held at a school in Somerset)
A safe place to put down roots and grow...
Have we got a safe place to put down roots and grow? This might be a family home, shared accommodation with others, or perhaps a place of our own?
The story can be very different for those leaving prison. Typically, young prison leavers are placed in cheap, low quality accommodation which can encourage a return to old acquaintances and destructive patterns of behaviour. The Message Trust with staff, partners and volunteers are on a mission to help to change this situation… They are doing this in a number of ways, including providing a resettlement house called The Oaks. At the heart of The Oaks is a vision of a Christian community that both supports our team members as they rebuild their lives, and blesses the local area.
The Oaks is a 9 bedroom resettlement house for particularly vulnerable individuals who need extra support before they are ready to graduate into full-time employment. The Oaks offers a residential support programme lasting a minimum of 12 months. After an induction, courses will guide new team members into greater emotional stability and deeper faith in Christ. Life skills and coaching help them become better stewards of their time, finances and relationships. Days are carefully structured to allow for a balance of vocational work placements, devotions, training and free time.
Feel free to share news about this amazing venture and join us as we pray for those leaving prison that they may find a safe place to put down roots… May each person at The Oaks and all of those leaving prison be strengthened in confidence and faith, as they find a safe place; to know they have have hope and the chance to grow… Amen
Working in a primary school or leading children's groups at your church?
Barnabas in Schools has produced a wide range of engaging and thought- provoking materials for Lent, Holy Week and Easter.
Barnabas in Schools is a professional education service provider to primary schools and works throughout England and Wales. They offer quality creative arts-based Barnabas RE Days for pupils and specialist INSET sessions for teachers. They also provide free ideas for collective worship, RE and classroom reflection, as well as books and resources. Their overall aim is to enable schools to explore Christianity creatively and confidently.
Check out their Lent and Easter resources HERE.
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The Barnabas in Schools Prayer Jesus, you chose a child as a model for adult maturity and of God’s presence among us. Thank you for our schools with their teachers and children. Together may they create: safe places for lives to flourish; happy places for wonder and discovery; hopeful places of peace and healing; stimulating places of learning and laughter; places where everyone feels valued and respected; places that offer security and stability to all; places where both old and young can find purpose and direction in life. Amen
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(photo courtesy of Neal E. Johnson at Unsplash)