Student Christian Movement appoint new CEO!

The FCG, through our work in the Free Church Education Committee, have had good working links with the Student Christian Movement, particularly in our Higher Education Working Group.

The Student Christian Movement (SCM) is an ecumenical student-led movement passionate about faith and justice.  SCM brings students together to explore how to live out the Christian faith in today’s world.

Last month, the SCM appointed a new Chief Executive. A warm welcome to Rev Naomi Nixon in her new role! Naomi (pictured below) joins the charity from the Diocese of Coventry, where she has been Ministerial Development Adviser for the last seven years. She also serves as a Minister at St Clare’s, a pioneer community based at Coventry Cathedral. Previously Naomi served as an Ecumenical Chaplain at North Warwickshire and Hinkley College where she also established a Youth Work teaching department.

You can read more about this new appointment and check out other news from the Student Christian Movement HERE.

Rev Naomi Nixon

Praying for head teachers and those in school leadership

The FCG, as part of our work with the Free Church Education Committee, are delighted to be part of the Pray for Schools steering committee.

I have been following prayers for Pray for Schools through their social media outlets, and I am sharing a prayer today from Cheltenham Prayer for Schools Network….

Pray for all the Heads and all those in leadership. They have so much to take on board as this situation is changing all the time. Pray that they would see a clear path through all the confusion. Pray for wisdom in their decision making as they work out the right strategy for their school over the next few weeks and months.

In Jesus’s name, our teacher and our friend. Amen

(photo courtesy of Aaron Burden at Unsplash)

Sara Iles FCG: Media support officer

Let us pray The Lord's Prayer together at 11am today

Pope Francis has publicly invited the heads of churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all Christians, to pray the Lord’s Prayer on Wednesday 25 March 2020 at 11am

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has given his backing to a call from the Pope for Christians across the world to join in saying the Lord’s Prayer as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. CTE and CTBI have affirmed their support for this….

We are socially distanced from our churches and communities but still spiritually connected to the world church through Jesus Christ, our healer and friend. Amen

Message from Revd Dr Hugh Osgood

Dear fellow Free Church Ministers,

We are all aware of the challenges we are facing with the current coronavirus crisis.

Obviously we want to stand together and encourage one another as we follow the government guidelines. 

As global pressure increases, an African Head of State has commended Philippians 4:6-7 to his nation:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There is much here that is timely for us all to hold on to as we stand firm in faith, maintaining both a heavenly perspective and a down to earth practicality. 

At the end of his letter Paul thanks the Philippians for caring for him, politely acknowledging that they no doubt always did care but lacked opportunity. 

Right now we have the opportunity to work with others to show care right across our communities. Let us rise to this challenge, demonstrating how the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit can carry us through.   

Standing with you in the fullness of the Lord's unwavering love and blessing,

Yours,

Hugh Osgood

Free Churches Moderator 

Light a candle of hope today...

We are invited by the Presidents of CTE to light a candle of hope…

Presidents of Churches Together in England have issued a call to prayer in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic. This is for all churches and people of prayer to join on Sunday 22nd March. They write….”This Mothering Sunday, 22nd March, we are calling all churches to a National Day of Prayer and Action. 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. At 7pm 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.
Whether you are continuing to worship as congregations or not, we have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are, individually and corporately, for healing in our nation. We would pray for all in leadership at this time, making decisions about the containment of the COVID-19 virus, for those working in health and social care, and especially for the most vulnerable, whether elderly or those with underlying health conditions.”