Prayer time for school and college chaplains - online each morning at 8.30am

The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education would like to invite school and college chaplains to a prayer meeting, held each morning at 8.30am for half an hour.

Topic: Prayer Room for Chaplains
Time:Daily  08:30am GMT

Join Zoom MeetingMeeting ID: 227 482 842

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Here are some words of encouragement, inspiration and comfort from The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education:

We are all very aware of the daily changing nature of the current world crisis. I, like you I am sure, have been very humbled, challenged and inspired by the desire of so many to support the vulnerable as well as saddened by the fear and angst that is causing so many to struggle with sourcing food and items they need. I am stating the obvious in saying we are in unchartered waters and yet as leaders within the communities whom we serve we need to be showing a different way:

The desire of the Father is that all know His love;

The way of Christ is that of loving service of others;

The Spirit leads us into the heart of love so that WE may know His peace that passes understanding and when we know this, take this to others.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Casey Horner at Unsplash)

Prayer time for school and college chaplains - online each morning at 8.30am

The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education would like to invite school and college chaplains to a prayer meeting, held each morning at 8.30am for half an hour.

Topic: Prayer Room for Chaplains
Time:Daily  08:30am GMT

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 227 482 842

——

Here are some words of encouragement, inspiration and comfort from The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education:

We are all very aware of the daily changing nature of the current world crisis. I, like you I am sure, have been very humbled, challenged and inspired by the desire of so many to support the vulnerable as well as saddened by the fear and angst that is causing so many to struggle with sourcing food and items they need. I am stating the obvious in saying we are in unchartered waters and yet as leaders within the communities whom we serve we need to be showing a different way:

The desire of the Father is that all know His love;

The way of Christ is that of loving service of others;

The Spirit leads us into the heart of love so that WE may know His peace that passes understanding and when we know this, take this to others.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Melissa, a 15 year old Gateway college student)

Cultivating patience...

Ah, cultivating patience… I wonder how our patience may have been tested in new ways in recent days. I wonder if we have discovered unexpected channels of patience in ourselves? When we consider the definition of this word, we find it means the “quality of being willing to bear adversities, calm endurance of misfortune, suffering.” Certainly something that is necessary in these strange times, but one that we can also develop and strengthen, through prayer, increasing self-awareness and sharing honestly with others.

A prayer activities sheet, which has been designed for use by families at home, is on the theme of patience… it begins…

“Christians believe that we should practice being patient. This can sometimes be difficult when we are waiting for something or being annoyed by someone. It means we need to be quiet rather than complaining and smile when we might not want to. But being patient can also bring us and the people we know and love... peace.”

BePatient: BeSpace activities to bring a sense of peace and calm to your life…

By way of background for FCG: As part of our partnership work for the Free Church Education Committee, we are members of the Pray for Schools network, working alongside lots of other dynamic and engaged Christian organisations. One of the other groups who are also on the Pray for Schools network is BeSpace… BeSpace is a Christian charity who encourages churches to work together to see prayer and reflection spaces happening in all areas of the community. Their vision to see every child, young person and adult connect with God in their daily lives from the school into the home.

(photo courtesy of Bekir Donmez at Unsplash)

Pray with us for the AGM of The Welcome Directory

Meetings have changed quite a bit in recent weeks, but steering groups and management committees are still maintaining contact with each other when they can, albeit remotely and online. The AGM for The Welcome Directory is taking place on 29th April. In these unprecedented times, the ways organisations can deliver their services and support their clients are also changing, so we hope and pray that the AGM can discuss and plan a positive way forward together.

Please join with us as we pray for all the

partners of The Welcome Directory,

the AGM participants,

for those they seek to serve, on release from prison,

and for the faith groups who offer a place of welcome.

You can sign up for their newsletter and find out more about registering your faith community to support prisoners on release HERE.

The Welcome Directory: ‘Helping faith communities welcome people who are leaving prison.’

(photo courtesy of Karly Santiago at Unsplash)

A letter of support and encouragement for our prison chaplains... and us all

A letter to update and encourage prison chaplains from Revd Bob Wilson,

Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser

Revd Bob writes: “You will all have heard by now that communal worship, meditation and study in prisons are to be cancelled with immediate effect.  I can assure you that the decision was made very carefully and is, as far as I know an unprecedented one. It was made with the purpose of safety and care and is in line with what is happening in the community… …The situation does I think present us with what will be a ‘new normal’ for some time and our wisdom as to how we continue to be church and to serve one another safely and with confidence will truly be a challenge to us in the days to come. But we do continue to rely on our Lord who is the source and provider of our strength.”

The full letter was sent to Free Church prison chaplains in late March. Even if you are not directly involved in prison chaplaincy, I think the letter is a great encouragement for us all in how we can continue to serve God and serve the most vulnerable in these challenging and unprecedented times. I am grateful to Revd Bob for writing and sharing the letter with us.

Blessings to you all, and God’s strength be with you.

Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

(photo courtesy of Jeremy Yap at Unsplash)