Christian

Praying for National Prison Radio this Sunday

Prison Fellowship has put together a service on National Prison Radio which will be broadcast on the morning of 18th April.

This Sunday the service shared will be exploring Luke 24:35-48 which tells us of Jesus appearing to the disciples… I have shared this passage below, so perhaps in a quiet moment later, you could read and reflect on these verses and pray your blessing on all who hear these words on Sunday from their prison cells.

Let us pray that those in our prisons would find peace and encouragement as they listen to the service.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers,

Amen

This prayer is from the Prison Fellowship prayer diary for April.

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While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
— Jesus appears to the disciples, Luke 24:36-48

(photo courtesy of Gene Jeter at Unsplash)

Education Chaplaincy conference - book your place here!

As part of the work the Free Churches Group have been doing over the last few years, we have been keen to develop stronger links and networks to support chaplains working in education (across the schools, FE, university sectors). 

Chaplaincy Central are gathering for a conference in June. Might you be interested? Please also feel free to share this with leaders and workers in your church network. To book your place, click HERE. 

The Chaplaincy Central team writes: "On 20th June 2018, we will gather together at the Life community Church, Birmingham, for our second Chaplaincy Central conference. The focus of the day is ‘thriving not surviving’, and each seminar and workshop focuses on how we as Chaplains (whether voluntary or paid, full or part-time) and our school communities can thrive despite the challenges we may face. The day will be packed full of seminars and practical workshops, exploring themes such as ‘Responding to Tragedy’, ‘Mental Health’ and ‘Chaplaincy on a shoestring' plus many more! Whether you are a primary, secondary or FE Chaplain, there is something for everyone! We will be joined by a number of national organisations who will be available throughout the day there to share expertise and there will be a number of resources available for you to purchase on the day. It promises to be a fantastic day that encourages and equips. We hope to see you there!"

If you are thinking and praying about setting up a chaplaincy team in your church to serve in your local educational settings, you can find out more information on why it matters and how to get started on the Chaplaincy Central website

A Message To All This Easter

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Easter is one of those special times during the year, when despite the confusion in our world and the complexities of life, we remember Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice with a sense of purpose and hope. We celebrate with hearts of thankfulness the offer of forgiveness and reconciliation, to those who believe in him.

There are many challenges facing our world but the preaching of the Gospel remains, and forever will be, the answer to the needs of humanity. We must never shy away from that truth. Luke reminds us that “...the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (St Luke 19:10)

Jesus' mission is to save the lost and that is the message of hope we preach to a world desperately seeking answers to the hatred and divisions that plague nations and communities. The Church must remain committed to Jesus' ministry of reconciliation. It is possible through Christ for humanity to be reconciled to God and each other.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 speaks directly to the Church about this ministry to which we must be engaged. Verse 19 reads, “that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

Let’s share that good news with confidence and may the peace of God fill your hearts this Easter season.

Every blessings,

Revd Paul Rochester.
(General Secretary of the Free Churches Group)