NHS Blood and Transplant – ‘Give Hope this Easter’ Campaign

We are excited to bring you our Easter campaign, which will run from 14th April to 19th April 2022. For many people, Easter is a time of hope and a celebration of the gift of life. So, it’s a perfect time to consider blood or organ donation.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about how we can help our friends, family and community, through the gift of organ donation or blood donation at this special time of year. Through press and social media activity, we will be encouraging people to register as a blood donor and book an appointment to donate blood, as well as talk about organ donation with your loved ones and register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

We especially want to get more people of Black heritage talking about blood and organ donation. Can you help us?

The need for more blood donors of Black heritage:

• Sickle cell mainly affects people of Black heritage, and many people living with Sickle cell require regular blood transfusions.

• Black blood donors are ten times more likely to have the rare blood sub type (type Ro) needed to provide the best match

• That’s why we need more people of Black heritage registering as blood donors and booking an appointment to donate blood.

The need for more organ donors of Black heritage:

• We need more people from Black communities to tell their families they want to donate. Organ donation saves lives.

• Black ethnicity patients are over-represented on the transplant waiting list and more likely to need an organ transplant, due to susceptibility to illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, which can result in organ failure.

• Certain organs, such as kidneys (which three quarters of people on the transplant waiting list are waiting for) are matched by blood group and tissue type. People from the same ethnic background are more likely to be a match

Easter campaign activity

We are excited to bring you some new content, we would love for you to share with your networks! Look out for these on NHSBT social media channels or you can download the videos here

• Video featuring BBC presenter Cole Morton sharing his message on organ donation

• Videos featuring Muyiwa Olarewaju, Premier gospel presenter and a singer song writer, sharing an important message on blood donation and organ donation

• Video featuring Tim Campbell, from the Apprentice, with a special message on blood and organ donation – we will share this video with you later this week

• New social media assets are available to download and share on your social media channels (the social assets are sized to fit most social platforms)

• A press release will go live on 14th April

Here are ways you can help us spread the word across your audiences:

1. Follow our social media channels @NHSOrganDonor @GiveBloodNHS, join the conversation, and share our campaign content

2. Share our Easter campaign social media assets, which are available to download here

Please use our recommended hashtags #GiveHope #Easter

3. Our press release goes live on our website on Thursday 14th April – please share with your networks 4. Encourage people to visit our websites to find out more

Blood donation – https://www.blood.co.uk/

Organ donation - https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Suggested social media captions

#GiveHope this #Easter – join @NHSOrganDonor and help save lives

#GiveHope this #Easter – talk to your loved ones about organ donation and register your decision @NHSOrganDonor #GiveHope this #Easter – join @GiveBloodNHS and help save lives

#GiveHope this #Easter – sign up as a blood donor and book an appointment to donate @GiveBloodNHS

Aretha and Shanann’s story

There are always inspiring stories to share – people whose lives have been impacted by organ or blood donation. Here you can find and watch a touching story of Aretha and her daughter Shanann, who is a kidney and pancreas recipient. https://bit.ly/3Kzuh3H

Aretha comes from a family where organ donation was never openly discussed and she was against organ donation, but after seeing how a transplant has improved her daughter’s life, Aretha is now a passionate advocate for organ donation and encourages more people of Black heritage to register as organ donors.

NHS Blood and Transplant

Do something amazing today

- Give Blood. Organ donation. The gift of life. You can visit us at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk

Induction of the next Moderator of the Free Churches Group and Free Church President of Churches Together in England

The induction of the Rev’d Helen Cameron as the 61st Moderator of the Free Churches Group took place at 6.30 p.m. on April 3rd, 2022 at Wesley’s Chapel in London. The service was led by the Rev’d Steven Cooper, and the Revd Dr Hugh Osgood inducted Helen into her new role and invited her to sign the front page of the Bible all previous Moderators have signed. She was then given the badge of Office of the Moderator, was greeted by senior representative of many of the Free Churches and preached her first sermon as Moderator on a theme of “Being generous, truthful and faithful disciples”. The Choir of Wesley’s chapel sang “ King of the Ages” (Stuart Townend & Keith Getty).

The service was live streamed and since then the recording of the service has been viewed a further 600 times. If you have not yet viewed it you can find it here.

We were glad that so many people accepted an invitation to a reception beforehand, which gave an opportunity for many to greet and thank the Revd Dr Hugh Osgood for his phenomenal service for so many years as Moderator. The Revd James Breslin(Chair of the FCG Board) formally thanked Revd Dr Hugh in the service and handed over a gift to him.

We are grateful to Wesley’s Chapel for their hospitality, and to the Rev’d Canon Dr Jennifer Smith and the Rev’d Steven Cooper of Wesley’s Chapel for all their help as well as to Bishop Paul Rochester General Secretary of the Free Churches Group, Thandar Tun and Sabina Williams for everything they did to make it such a remarkable and inspiring service.

We were glad that Mr Paul Herbage MBE KStJ DL the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and Representative DL for the London Borough of Islington was able to join us at Wesley’s Chapel for the Reception and the Service of Induction.

FCG Moderator's Induction Service and Reception at Wesley's Chapel - Sunday, 3rd April 2022

We look forward to seeing you at the induction Service for the Revd Helen Cameron, who will succeed Revd Dr Hugh Osgood, this evening.

It promises to be an inspiring service where we will formally receive the Revd Helen Cameron in her new role, spend time in worship, offer prayers, and hear from Revd Helen Cameron as she gives her first formal address as the Moderator. We will also take the opportunity to record our thanks to Revd Hugh Osgood for his service and dedication as the Moderator of the Free Churches Group over the last 7 years.

Please do try to join us as we would love to see the Chapel full on this special occasion. The Service of Induction will be held at 6.30 pm on Sunday 3rd April 2022, at Wesley’s Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU.

For those who are not able to travel to London, the service will be lived streamed. Please follow the link HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in person or online.

FCG Moderator's Induction Service and Reception at Wesley's Chapel - Sunday, 3rd April 2022

It is not too late to plan to attend the induction Service for the Revd Helen Cameron, who will succeed Revd Dr Hugh Osgood.

It promises to be an inspiring service where we will formally receive the Revd Helen Cameron in her new role, spend time in worship, offer prayers, and hear from Revd Helen Cameron as she gives her first formal address as the Moderator. We will also take the opportunity to record our thanks to Revd Hugh Osgood for his service and dedication as the Moderator of the Free Churches Group over the last 7 years.

Please do try to join us as we would love to see the Chapel full on this special occasion. The Service of Induction will be held at 6.30 pm on Sunday 3rd April 2022, at Wesley’s Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU. You can register for this free event via Eventbrite here or just let Sabina know on her email sabina.williams@freechurches.org.uk if you plan to attend.

For those who are not able to travel to London, the service will be lived streamed. Please follow the link HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in person or online. Please do contact Sabina Williams for further information.

United in Prayer for Ukraine #PrayforUkraine

We are inviting churches across Britain and Ireland to join together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.

We have all watched the unfolding conflict in Ukraine and seen the heart-breaking stories of people fleeing violence, not knowing when they’ll see their loved ones again. Over two million people have fled Ukraine. Many more have been forced from their homes to seek shelter. Lives have been lost and families torn apart. Homes have been destroyed and many roads are blocked. No one is safe.

Churches in Ukraine, in neighbouring countries and here in Britain and Ireland alongside many others in the community have responded with generosity and hospitality to support and welcome refugees.

We all share a feeling of horror and powerlessness but every prayer, every action brings hope to the people of Ukraine. We are sharing a prayer that we would invite you to share on 3rd April during your worship for that Sunday and, if possible, perhaps in a more public event with other churches and your wider community. There will be a national event at [time to be agreed] near the Ukrainian and Russian embassies in London.(tbc)

Together as Christians in these islands and with our sisters and brothers in the churches of Ukraine, we pray for an end to the conflict and for peace in our world.

What?

On 3rd April 2022, churches and Christians from across the UK and Ireland will come together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict, and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.

Audience: Church leaders, active Christians who attend church or people who identify as Christian but do not attend a place of worship at least once per month.

Toplines: It is a dark and worrying time for the people of Ukraine and for everyone who believes in peace.

We have seen the heart-breaking stories of people fleeing violence, not knowing when they’ll see their loved ones again.

It shouldn't be like this. War and poverty should have no place in our world.

Like the people of Ukraine looking out for their neighbours or the charity workers delivering emergency food to people seeking refuge, we must bring hope.

That is why Christians from across the UK and Ireland - recognising the God-given human dignity and rights of every human being - are uniting in an act of witness to pray for Ukraine and an end to the conflict.

With one voice, we are uniting behind a simple message: immediately agree a ceasefire and unequivocally commit to protect civilians and key services.

Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to the people of Ukraine. By joining us, you can give hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

Context: The humanitarian challenges in Ukraine are huge. People are desperately fleeing to neighbouring countries, facing long waits at borders and freezing temperatures.

Over two million people have fled Ukraine. Many more have been forced from their homes to seek shelter. Lives have been lost and families torn apart. Homes have been destroyed and many roads are blocked. No one is safe.

Schools, health facilities, water and food supplies have been destroyed or damaged. People are in urgent need of shelter, food and water.

It is predicted that 7.5 million people will be displaced. Ukraine is on course to become the biggest movement of people in Europe since World War II.

Prayer:

God of all peoples and nations,

Who created all things alive and breathing,

United and whole,

Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence.

We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,

Every child and every adult.

We long for the time

When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares

When nations no longer lift up sword against nation.

We cry out to you for peace;

Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety

Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones

Be with those who are bereaved.

Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression

And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.

Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour,

And a passion for justice to prevail

and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.

Creator of all hear our prayer

And bring us peace. make us whole.

Amen.