NEWS
"O God who longs to make us whole..." hymn words written by a hospital chaplain
O God who longs to make us whole in body, spirit, mind is the opening line of the hymn written in 1998 by the retired URC minister and chaplain, Revd Michael Forster. The hymn was originally written to mark the 50th anniversary of the NHS, the words of which are poignant and apt to share in these times too. In fact, verse 3 was added in 2021 to recognise the efforts and courage of many people, in addition to those in the NHS, who have served during the pandemic…
May it be a blessing, an encouragement and an inspiration to us in these times and in all times. Amen
1 O God who longs to make us whole in body, spirit, mind,
we praise you for the hopes and dreams you share with humankind:
for those in pow’r whom you inspired to share the nation’s wealth,
that rich and poor alike might know security and health.
2 We give you thanks for those who strive that knowledge might increase;
for all in office, ward or home whose efforts never cease;
for those who give of wealth or self, who care or who campaign,
and all who bravely watch and wait to share your people’s pain;
3* for those in countless walks of life who daily work and strive
to keep each other safe and well, and help the weak to thrive;
for those who go beyond the call in myriad other ways,
and keep alive the light of hope in dark and cheerless days.
4 O give us grace to trust your love when hope remains concealed,
to watch and pray beside the ones who are not swiftly healed.
And grant us faith, when death itself provides its own release,
to trust in your undying love to give them perfect peace.
5 Give us, O God, your loving zeal to comfort, heal and save,
to care for one another ‘from the cradle to the grave’.
Then north to south, and east to west, let love and hope extend,
until the universe is whole and justice knows no end.
Michael Forster (B 1946)
© 1998 & 2021 Michael Forster
Tune: Kingsfold – English traditional melody collected by Lucy Broadwood (1858-1929)
The text may be reproduced royalty-free for use in worship, as long as authorship and copyright are acknowledged, no alterations are made and this authorisation is printed in full on all copies.
(cover photo courtesy of Markus Spiske at Unsplash)
"God and the Pandemic" - lecture on 17th May at 5.30pm
David Wilkinson, theologian and scientist, who is Principal of St John’s College and a Professor of Theology at Durham University, will be giving a lecture on the topic of ‘God and the pandemic’.
This event, hosted on Eventbrite, is The Michael Perham Cathedral and University of Gloucestershire Lecture 2021. You can find out more and book your place HERE.
“How does a scientist and a theologian engage with some of the big questions raised by the pandemic? What have we been learning about what it means to be ‘led by the science’ and the vulnerability of humans to the natural world? Where is God in all of this? The pandemic has focused questions in the relationship of science and theology which are both helpful and challenging.”
Professor David Wilkinson
Opening up Chaplaincy - a recording of webinar
On 28th April, we hosted a dynamic and informative event all about Chaplaincy. Over 100 people from a variety of churches and areas joined us for the webinar - Opening up Chaplaincy.
You can view a recording of the event HERE.
Guest speakers at this event were:
Revd Bob Wilson, Free Churches Group Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy & Free Churches Faith Adviser
Gary Hopkins, Ministry Development Officer, Connexional Team, The Methodist Church
Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Healthcare Chaplain, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Revd Dr Michael Peat, Free Church Chaplain, University of Bristol Multifaith Chaplaincy
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You can find out more about the work of the Free Churches Group and Chaplaincy on our main website, under the various sector headings; we also have a special page on which we offer further information and resources all about chaplaincy HERE.
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(cover photo courtesy of Pedro Ramos at Unsplash)
Moving Forward in Hope - recording of webinar - Theos report: university Chaplaincy during the pandemic
On 26th April, we hosted webinar entitled “Moving forward in Hope”. This was on the subject of the recently published Theos report and research conducted by Simon Perfect, about HE chaplaincy during the Pandemic; the full title of the report is: “Relationships, Presence and Hope: University Chaplaincy during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. You can read a copy of the Theos report HERE.
Simon kindly agreed to talk to us about his research at the webinar in April and participants had the opportunity to talk with others about how the experience of chaplaincy during the Pandemic might have taught us things that can strengthen chaplaincy in the future.
You can watch a recording of the event and find out more about the report HERE.
(image: Mary Long Adobe Stock)
Action for Children have two events coming up soon...
Many of you will already be aware of the vital campaigns work of Action for Children. Some of their team have been inspiring and thought-provoking guest speakers at some of our FCG Education Committee meetings and we wanted to let you know that they have a couple of events coming up soon which may be of interest to you.
The first one is about fostering and will be on Facebook Live on 20th May at 7pm.
The second one is called - Boycott your Bed for Vulnerable Children - to raise awareness about and bring hope to vulnerable UK children hit hardest by the pandemic, on the night of Friday 9th July.
“There were 78,150 children in local authority care in 2019, and many more foster carers are needed to give them a safe and loving home; that might just be you. We can answer any questions you have.”
2. Boycott Your Bed is a fundraising and awareness raising event on 9th July - to find out more, learn how to get involved and to make a donation.
“Boycott your Bed and you’ll bring hope to vulnerable UK children hit hardest by the pandemic. Because – while happier times are ahead for most of us – this crisis has made things even worse for children and families already in desperate need. Wherever you sleep, the money you raise can make children’s dreams of a safe and happy childhood come true. ”
(cover photo courtesy of Artem Kniaz at Unsplash)