NEWS
New reality, same Mission... a new resource published by the URC
The URC (who are a member church of the Free Churches Group) has launched resource to help renew community engagement as we emerge from the pandemic.
This new URC resource has been launched to help people explore how they can respond to the current needs, opportunities and injustices in their local neighbourhoods. It is hoped that New reality, same Mission will act as a stimulus to renewed community engagement by individuals and local congregations as lockdown eases.
You can read and share the document HERE.
You can also find additional materials including films produced by the URC HERE.
(photo courtesy of Tim Swaan at Unsplash)
Praying with the International Prison Chaplains Association
A global day of prayer is taking place for prison chaplains across the world on 25th August 2020.
Please encourage your church fellowships to get involved by praying in your homes or by safely physically distanced in your churches (as appropriate). Join with the Free Churches Group and many other ecumenical partners across the globe for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).
The theme for this year is: The Grace of God
The IPCA has produced an order of service, complete with readings from Scripture and prayers for you to share and pray through….
Join us as we pray together… you can download the prayer and worship resource 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.”
For the last ten years the IPCA Steering Committee has invited all those involved in prison ministry around the world to come together in a special day of prayer on 25 August, the birthday of IPCA. We would like to thank members of IPCA AFRICA and EUROPE for arranging this year’s program together.
The Free Churches Faith Adviser to the Prison Service, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair to the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).
(photo from IPCA Global Prayer Day resource)
Some more resources shared here, to support you in your ministry...
Revd Meg Burton, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Free Churches, has been writing, gathering in, compiling and sharing a range of supportive and informative communications with Healthcare Chaplains. Although these are primarily aimed at those working in healthcare chaplaincy, many others may find the content encouraging and helpful in their life and ministry.
There is:
an adaptation of Psalm 23 for health staff;
a poem based on the hymn ‘I cannot tell’;
a poignant reflection entitled ‘The visitor’.
You can find out more and explore these reflections and materials HERE.
Meg provides the leadership on Healthcare Chaplaincy work at a national level for the Free Churches as well as in a multi-faith context.
(photo courtesy of Flash Alexander at Unsplash)
JOIN US, IN PRAYING WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP, IN THE WEEKS AHEAD...
The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years. Last year the Prison Fellowship celebrated 40 years of working with prisoners… their mission is : “to show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them.”
Their work continues, as do the links the FCG and other organisations have with PF. You can join with friends and partners of The Prison Fellowship, by praying together through the month and May and beyond…
This month, they are continuing to pray for all the prisons across England and Wales. There are four listed each day. To find out more about their work and register for their monthly prayer diary, click HERE.
“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” Philemon 6-7
Prayers for Sunday 7th June
Although we cannot gather for church in buildings and prison chapels today, we celebrate that in Christ we are united as one body. We pray that any barriers between us might continue to be broken down, and strangers become family.
Amen
(photo courtesy of Diana Simumpande at Unsplash)
Chats with chaplains and managing the maelstrom...
Like others, chaplains in schools and colleges are facing changes and challenges in the way they work. Instead of face-to-face meetings and conversations (except, in some cases, with the limited number of students and staff in schools), they are finding new ways of supporting and encouraging their communities.
Maggie Everett, Lead Development Officer for the Centre for Chaplaincy in Education, was joined on Zoom by chaplains from a range of schools and colleges to record some ideas for chaplains to use in their work with staff and students.
Additionally, Toni Coulton (Chaplaincy Central) joined Maggie to share some thoughts about the usage of metaphors to frame conversations about this time of pandemic, as well as some lessons we might learn from chaplains who have been in extreme situations. In this recording we were delighted to include some pupils from Abbey Grange Church of England Academy in Leeds, who told us what they would like to say to their chaplain and something they would like their chaplain to do for them. Powerful stuff in ‘Moving through the Maelstrom’.
There have been some interesting and helpful conversations going on to support chaplains in schools and colleges in these challenging times, facilitated by the Centre for Chaplaincy in Education and partners. We are pleased to be able to share a range of short films with you.
During a week in May 2020, Maggie Everett, Lead Development Officer for Centre for Chaplaincy in Education, was joined on Zoom, by several chaplains (FE College /Church School and non- church school and primary school) to record some ideas they have found have worked with staff and students in the past few weeks.
Do take a look (the links are both on our website and below). ‘Chats with Chaplains’ 1 and 2 are around 15-20 minutes long. These videos emerged from discussions with St Peter’s & Saltley Trust, the Free Churches Group, Chaplaincy Central, the Methodist Church and the Church of England and Maggie is grateful for their interest and continued partnership.
Managing the Maelstrom [ password 7G%&?=^# ]
Chatting with Chaplains #1 [ password 3J$E86?$ ]
Chatting with Chaplains #2 [password 5K?.RhQS ]
Centre for Chaplaincy in Education has also been gifted the privilege of being a partner organisation with the Church of England, in their recently launched initiative: #Faithathome. This really exciting collaboration involves a diverse range of organisations who are all working on supporting families, schools and churches by delivering high quality resources and opportunities for exploring faith at home. The Centre are facilitating the Chaplains’ Stream of this and will be letting you know what is planned as soon as possible.
Other exciting developments in the field of chaplaincy in education can be read about here, along with the Centre’s newsletters.
(photo courtesy of Abigail Keenan at Unsplash)