NEWS
Prison chaplains, from across Europe, gathered together...
On 19th July, dozens of prison chaplains were able to gather together, by the wonders of technology, to share together, pray for each other and reflect on their work over the last 12 months…
It was a wonderful opportunity to spend an hour together with other prison chaplains from across Europe. They heard from each other, and through a growing sense of mutual understanding, were able to offer and receive support.
Our Free Churches Faith Adviser, Revd Bob Wilson, was able to attend the event and says it was a great comfort and mutual encouragement to all.
This group is the European element of the wider work being done through the International Prison Chaplains Association. On 25th August, there will be an international day of prayer for prison ministry - watch this space for further details on the theme and for how to get your church and community involved in praying for the vital work of our prison chaplains across the world.
(cover photo courtesy of Hasan Almasi at Unsplash)
Journeying from Despair to Hope… preparing for Prisons Week 2021
Journeying from despair to hope is an online event coming up on the morning of the 20th July to help church and community leaders explore the prayer and support materials for Prisons Week.
For forty years, Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons. Prisons Week raises awareness and generates prayer.
(cover photo courtesy of Jeremy Bishop @ Unsplash)
Get ready for Education Sunday - 12th September
For well over one hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales. It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education.
The theme is devised by an ecumenical steering group representing different Christian denominations and organisations - the theme this year is “A Word in Season”.
To help you get ready to celebrate this day in your church and community:
Further resources and worship materials will be shared over the summer on the:
Inspired this year by Isaiah 50. 4-9a, Psalm 116. 1-8, James 3. 1-12, Mark 8. 27-38.
(cover photo courtesy of Chris Lawton at Unsplash)
Revd Bob Wilson, Free Churches Faith Adviser, invites you!
Our very own Revd Bob Wilson, who is a key member of the Prisons Week planning group, extends a warm welcome to church and community leaders, to an online event on the morning of 20th July - offering an opportunity to explore the theme and resources for this year's Prisons Week (held 10-17th Oct).
I had the opportunity to preview some of the thought-provoking and inspiring resources earlier last week, so I can thoroughly recommend this event; it will be a great support to us all as we prepare for praying during Prisons Week this year.
- Sara (FCG media support officer)
This will offer church and community leaders space to meet and hear about this year's campaign, its theme and the prayer resources available, and to consider how we can best encourage others to pray.
Event details
Time: 10.30-11.30 A.M.
Date: 20th July
(cover photo courtesy of Billy Pasco at Unsplash)
Join us as we pray for our schools... on 16th July
Free Churches Group are an active prayer partner in the work and mission of Pray for Schools, along with many other groups who have a heart for prayer and love our schools.
It has been amazing and such an encouragement to all to be able to pray alongside Christians from across England and Wales, at Zoom gatherings, during the last few months.
We have had an excellent range of contributors who have been able to share news about our schools and support us in what needs our prayers and care. This has helped to guide our prayers during the meeting and make these shared times very powerful in both prayer and fellowship. At our next prayer, we are delighted to say we will be joined and guided in prayer by staff from Scripture Union and Association of Christian Teachers.
On 16th July, we will be gathering once more between 12.30 - 1.15 P.M. and all are welcome. It is open to all, but booking is required.
“Pray for Schools’ vision is for ‘every school to be a prayed for school. At this time we need to do this with faith, hope and love. That’s the vision of Pray for Schools: to mobilise Christians to support their school communities through prayer. All over the UK, groups of parents, teachers or schools workers meet on a regular basis to pray for their local schools. Join us for one of our online events as we gather together in prayer for our schools. ”
(cover photo courtesy of Abel Marquez at Unsplash)