NEWS
Latest news and prayers from the Christian charity who work in further education - FESTIVE
The Free Churches Group has been developing productive working relationships with Festive, the Christian charity who actively engage with the Further Education sector. We have been doing this to strengthen strategic links and to empower our FCG member churches to be able to engage more with the world and the life, issues and joys of Christians in FE (see link to FCG church resources below). (Festive stands for Further Education and Sixth Form Initiative).
You can read the latest news from Festive HERE. Why not subscribe HERE to their newsletter so you can keep in touch with their work?
In the month’s edition, there is lots to read, learn about and pray for, including….
Prayer for students & workers in FE
Interview with Miriam Lay, who supports a Christian Union in the north east
Some updates for your prayers
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus
and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers..” Ephesians 1:15
You can find out more about the work FCG has been doing in the world of further education and check out our resources to support churches HERE.
(photo courtesy of Scott Webb at Unsplash)
Latest news from Pray for Schools including prayer resources
Prayer Opportunities! The latest news from our friends at Pray for Schools!
We especially need prayer for the new school year.
Many children won't have sat in a classroom for 6 months. Some have been bereaved or suffered in other ways. Headteachers have been inundated with recommendations and guidelines and need great wisdom as they get ready. Psalm 145:18 and 9 reminds us: 'The Lord is close to all who truly pray to him. He gives those who fear him what they want. He listens when they cry, and he saves them.'
Education Sunday is 13th September - resources based on lectionary readings; with the theme: A learning people in a time of change” is at: https://www.prayforschools.org/education-sunday/
Thru-hike for schools Global initiative to pray for the schools of the world. Paul Gibbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEhmY30WIzM/ of Pais is prayer walking across N England for two weeks from 7 September. 'It remains my passion to see every school in the UK have a Church praying and actively seeking to serve it.'
Praying online: We're sure you, like us, have experienced the blessing of praying on Zoom or Teams. We hope many groups will meet in this way to pray about local schools going back in September.
Brand new resource https://www.prayforschools.org/prayers/assortedprayers/ 10 ways to Pray for Schools is a printable pdf. We'll let you know when printed leaflets in packs of 10 are available.
Save the date! 21 September: Prayer Spaces in Schools and Youthscape joint virtual conference (free day of keynote presentations, live webinars, breakout discussions and Q&A with a wide range of schools’ work practitioners and experts)
Do let us know your news and have a relaxing summer break.
Jane and Claire
Jane Newey Claire Wall
PFS England Coordinator PFS Wales Coordinator
E: england@prayforschools.org E: wales@prayforschools.org
(photo courtesy of Aaron Burden at Unsplash)
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)