Loving God, we thank You that Your church extends beyond walls and fences...

Many years ago, while I was training for Christian ministry with the Congregational Federation (who are members of FCG) I had the honour of serving alongside a prison chaplaincy team at HMP Leyhill.

The module in which I was able to undertake this amazing placement was called - Serving God - beyond the church walls. It was one of the most remarkable and grace filled parts of my training and continues to inform and inspire my ministry to this day! Loving God, we thank You that Your church extends beyond walls and fences...

This week we see that the prayers we are encouraged to join with Prison Fellowship for are all about how the church extends beyond walls and how God gives us the opportunity to serve beyond the church building.

Revd Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

Prison Fellowship Prayers for Sunday 26th July

God, your church extends beyond walls and fences, encompassing all who trust Jesus as their Saviour.

Thank you that we are united with our brothers and sisters in prison.

Amen

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years. Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their July Prayer Diary HERE. August’s prayer diary will be out soon!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8

(photo courtesy of Lauriane Sevestre at Unsplash)

Free webinar - racial justice / criminal justice - what can your church do?

A free webinar is coming up on 22nd September from 6.30-8pm

It will be on the theme of racial justice / criminal justice and exploring what your church can do in light of these matters.

Key note speakers include:

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Vanessa Jardine, Deputy Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.

To register for this event please see link HERE.

HE chaplains' coffee and chat meetings... a weekly get together starting on 13th August

HE chaplains are invited to virtual “Coffee and chat” sessions on a weekly basis from mid-August.

Here are the dates for the HE chaplain’s coffee and chat meetings:

Coffee and Chat (tea and any other beverages are equally acceptable! )
This will be a time – about an hour- where anyone who would like to can connect. There will be time for prayer and reflection and time to chat, share ideas, ask questions – whatever you like.

Dates: Thursday 13 August 4 p.m., Monday 17 August 10 a.m., Thursday 27 August 4 p.m., (Bank Holiday so no Monday meeting on 31 August), Thursday 10 September 4 p.m., Monday 14 September 10 a.m., Thursday 24 September 4 p.m. 
We will send the Zoom code to chaplains on our list before the first event, but please get in touch if you’re not sure if you’re on the list and wish to be included: sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk

(photo courtesy of Milada Vigerova at Unsplash)

Support for Free Church Higher Education Chaplains

The Higher Education Working Group has been in discussion with a number of Free Church chaplains in universities and has begun a programme of events to support them. The first of these events was a webinar: “Chaplaincy: ministry on the edge”, exploring the value of chaplaincy in universities.

• Professor Kristin Aune, from the University of Coventry, shared insights from the recent research Chaplains on Campus;

• Sally Bentley, recently-retired Executive Dean from the University of Bedfordshire spoke about the value of chaplaincy to the institution;

• Stephen Heap, Chair of the HE Working Group, explored the churches’ perspective. 48 chaplains registered for the event. A recording is available HERE.

HE chaplains will be invited to virtual “Coffee and chat” sessions on a weekly basis from mid-August. Another webinar is planned for 9 September, exploring how community can be created when you can’t meet in person, led by Lawrence Moore.

(photo courtesy of Naassom Azevedo at Unsplash)

Help is at hand... FURTHER RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN YOUR MINISTRY

Revd Meg Burton, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Free Churches, has been gathering 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:

Help is at Hand (support after someone may have died from suicide) - booklet

• Chaplaincy is… (a poignant reflection by a healthcare chaplain) PowerPoint presentation

• Our Story - Reflections from a healthcare chaplaincy team during the pandemic

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 Kelly Sikkema at Unsplash)