25 years ago, I began a course with The Open University (OU). It was a Diploma in European Humanities. It was at a time when I was working full time as a tutor in the Civil Service. The OU gave me a chance to study part time in a subject area that interested me, whilst continuing to work. I went on to gain a BA in Humanities which included taking modules in Religious Studies. The courses I took with the OU gave me the confidence to start a Theology degree and train for Christian Ministry. Join with me as I celebrate fifty years since the OU was set up. Let’s recognise the gift and the power of learning across all sectors and contexts.
Have you done a course lately? How does your church group / denomination support learning provision?
Perhaps there are some courses you can get involved in, to deepen your faith, train for Christian service or discern and respond to a Christian calling?
Sara Iles, FCG Education Assistant
The FCG are passionate about helping churches engage with learning and higher education in their communities. You can read more about the work the FCG has been doing in the field of higher education and read the report Hope in HE HERE.
A call to pray
Loving God, we pray for all of those in formal and informal education: for those in colleges, universities, in our churches, our Bible study groups, our local schools, for those throughout our community centres, in evening classes and those exploring new pathways. Guide them and support them.
We pray that it is a time of transformation, joy, challenge, personal growth and vocational. We pray for those in training for ministry and Christian service in our own denominations and across the member churches of the Free Churches Group.
We pray for the students and tutors involved in theological education and ministerial formation. May God uphold, provoke and guide them.
We pray for all those who are on a path to seek 'life in all its fullness' (John 10:10).
Loving God, encourage us to keep praying on this, to learn and share more about the gift of education and to act with courage, conscience and conviction in your name!
In Jesus' name, our friend and teacher, Amen