Measures announced to protect NHS from coronavirus risk in prisons

Here is a press release from the Ministry of Justice dated 4th April 2020.

Risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date will be temporarily released from jail, as part of the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives. You can read the full press release here.

We continue to pray for the work of our chaplains in prisons who serve prison staff and prisoners in these challenging times.

Pray for Schools...

From our Pray for Schools network

“The Lord is close to all who call on him…

He grants the desires of those who fear him;

 he hears their cries for help and rescues them.”

Psalm 145:18-20 (NLT)

Lord, please provide our teachers and pupils with all

they need during this COVID-19 crisis and afterwards.

Help children at home

to continue learning and to readjust

and catch up when they return eventually to school.

Amen.

(photo courtesy of Mike Fox at Unsplash)

Holy Week and Easter activities for all

For many Christians across the world, Holy Week and Easter will be celebrated at home. And although we may not be able to gather in person, we can celebrate Easter in a number of different ways. Here are some activities you can do, either on your own or as a family, to journey through this sacred season.

Thy Kingdom Come and partners have shared a range of resources and activities for all this Easter…. lots to explore below…

Will you share the joy of Easter and #SingResurrection on Sunday?

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland are encouraging Christians in the UK, to be part of a countrywide chorus of well-loved hymns at 10.00 am (GMT) on Easter Day. You can sing from the comfort of your own doorstep, along with your neighbours to celebrate our Risen Lord and King, Jesus.  What a potentially wonderful witness this could be the wider community? Full details can be found here. 

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There are lots of other resources you can check out too, including this offering from The Methodist Church.

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(photo courtesy of Alicia Quan at Unsplash)

Exploring Maundy Thursday - resources for schools and home educators

Barnabas in Schools have developed and shared a range of resources for Maundy Thursday…

These can be used by pupils studying at home or in the classroom.

There is a poem (on a video link) and some creative activities based on an important meal on the way to Easter, inspired by a Bible reading from the Gospel of John chapter 13, verses 1-15.

You can check out much more from Barnabas in Schools on the link HERE: RE at Home.

(photo courtesy of Jametlene Reskp at Unsplash)

Connecting up... serving our member churches and member groups...

In these strange and turbulent times, we all know it has been difficult; we are facing new challenges every day, yet making the most of new and unexpected opportunities. Like so many organisations and church groups, Free Churches Group has been seeking new ways to stay connected and to support each other; finding different ways to stay in touch and keep the vital work we all do to keep on going.

Since the beginning of the year, because of the geographical distances between our team members, we had set up a Zoom platform to meet up on line every Tuesday morning. These have become even more important in recent weeks, as travel and face to face meetings have not been possible. The Free Churches Group team continue to meet online, to pray together, to review our work in prisons and healthcare chaplaincy and education. We will continue to find ways we can serve our member churches in these challenging times. Please pray for our team, as we continue to pray for your churches and networks. May our work together continue to be a blessing to those we seek to serve, in God’s name.

If you have not already done so, you can subscribe to our newsletter, which is published monthly by completing your details at the bottom of this website link.

(screen shot photo of one of our recent meetings below)

(Cover photo courtesy of Pavan Trikutam at Unsplash)