Reflections from Revd Paul Rochester, General Secretary of the Free Churches Group

We are grateful to God for bringing us to another Advent and Christmas season. As we approach the close of 2024, we find ourselves already looking ahead to 2025. Meetings are being scheduled, plans are taking shape, and we anticipate both the challenges and opportunities the new year will bring. There will undoubtedly be difficult moments, but also exciting events we eagerly await.

This year has brought significant changes to the world. Political and social shifts have occurred on a scale not seen in recent decades. At the same time, we have witnessed remarkable advances in technology, including the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). These developments prompt us to consider their implications for society. AI has the potential to transform the way we live and work, raising concerns about job displacement across many industries. I recently came across a church encouraging career development in trades; assuming that these areas of work are less likely to be automated by AI. Only time will tell how these changes unfold.

Churches, too, will be impacted by technological advancements, including how ministry is organised and conducted. In the New Year, we will host a seminar in London exploring AI and ethics within the context of local churches. Please stay tuned for more information and save the date—it promises to be an important discussion.

Christmas is a time to reflect on how the world was forever changed by the birth of Jesus Christ. He entered a world in darkness, alienated from God, to bring light and restore the relationship broken by sin. Today, disruptive politics and technology are reshaping our world, revealing both great opportunities and significant pitfalls. While we cannot halt change, we can strive to influence it for good. Regardless of our political beliefs, we should aim for peace, justice, and the flourishing of all humanity; not one group thriving at the expense of others, but a coming together, even amidst deeply held differences. Kindness and love must guide our actions, with faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to proclaim and establish the kingdom of God, and He remains with His people, through the Holy Spirit, to see that mission fulfilled. As His followers, we are called to continue preaching the kingdom and living by its principles in a world that often cannot grasp the truth of Christ. Christmas reminds us of His birth, yet it is sorrowful that so many still do not understand the profound significance of His coming and how it can transform lives and society for good. The mystery of Christ remains hidden to many. I am praying that God will open the eyes of people across the world to see the truth of Jesus, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world.

The world will continue to change, as it always has. However, amid these changes, may we remain steadfast in keeping Jesus at the centre of all we do. He has come to bridge the gap between humanity and the Father and to bring us back into a restored relationship with God.

Stephen Seamands, in his book Ministry in the Image of God, asserts that it is not more therapists and moralists we need. He speaks of our greatest need being authentic Christian communities - communities where the “heart of God is home, where the humble and wise learn to shepherd those on the path behind them, where trusting strugglers lock arms with others as together they journey on.”

There is something profound about connecting people to God and aligning our hearts with His. This authentic experience of God is what we all need, and Christmas reminds us this was made possible through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God bless always,

Paul Rochester

Reflection from Revd Helen Cameron, Moderator of the Free Churches Group

In a long ministry of more than 35 years in a wide variety of contexts which has meant me preaching in all kinds of locations and on all kinds of occasions, I have learned many things.

I have learned to carry a torch in winter so that I can light my path to the church building in order to see where I am walking and not fall over into mud or on one glorious occasion - the village duck pond.

We all need light to flourish, to be healthy and to grow, and that is true not just for plants but also for people. My husband, whose hobby is astronomy or star-gazing, tells me there are very few locations in the UK that are truly dark – many urban communities are over-lit and light pollution can be a problem and stars cannot easily be seen. The little island of Sark in the Channel Islands promotes visits to its “dark skies” for those who want to see and study stars. Darkness is therefore not always a bad thing and sometimes we learn things in the dark, from the dark. Dark is necessary.

It is, I think, what we do with darkness that matters. Most of us get to rest then, and we are thankful for those who work and serve others in the night. Some people abuse the darkness to do evil things and that makes some people nervous of the dark. Darkness itself is not evil but what we choose to do in it and with it can hurt others. The darkness can feel overwhelming, can exacerbate our hurts and fears until we no longer feel able to tell if we are running from monsters or frightened of shadows. This time of year can be hard. Christmas as a season can be hard when you feel dislocated from the joy and celebration of others.

But because Christmas is not all about feeling cheerful, or pretending we’re not hurt or afraid, I think that is understandable. Christmas is about hope, about recognising that even the deepest darkness is no longer impenetrable because the light has come. The light that comes in Christ will prevail, the darkness will be quenched. We can say, even when we don’t feel it, that hope has come to us.

In the opening verses of John’s Gospel we read the hope-filled and stirring words,

‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it”

We are, as God’s beloved children, the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, called to give an account for the hope that is in us as I Peter 3:5 reminds us. In the darkest of days for all the citizens of the world the light of Christ will shine brightly in us and through us so that we reflect the glory of God.

Hope is not always about being able to remove the darkness in our lives, and the life of the world. There is a lot to be sad about. However, we can and must give an account of the hope that is in us even when so much is uncertain because we believe God is author of all, the giver of life, of every breath and he holds us all in a loving embrace. So we believe no-one is ultimately lost and we believe nothing can separate us from the love of God seen in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are people of hope. We have a hope that is based not on how the world looks on any one day, or on the progress of humanity to think of others rather than themselves but based on the word made flesh and come among us. Our hope flows from our knowledge that God is with us, bearing our burdens and healing our wounds. God is with us transforming us, redeeming us, making a place for us in the eternal life of God and at the very last, bringing us safe home.

So what do we do in the darkness?

A friend of mine was born and raised in Wales, he speaks Welsh first and English as a second language. He told me a story once I have never forgotten. He was visiting his grandparents on the island of Anglesey and they had taken him with them to their chapel where there was a festival of hymn singing going on.

 The Chapel was full, everyone singing in 4-part harmony. It was wonderful and beautiful and stirring. Then the lights went out and the entire chapel was plunged into darkness. What had happened? A power cut!

My friend said he has never forgotten what happened next – there was no hesitation, no laughter, no interruption, what happened was that people went on singing in the dark. They went on singing, in the dark.

They could do this because they were familiar with praise. This group of Christians were determined and faithful, not easily put off their stride, they persisted. The light of their faith continued to shine despite the darkness around them.

So, what of us in this Advent and Christmastide 2024?

We are called to be persistent in our faith and in our prayer in and to keep praising God, to be kind and generous, to reflect the light of Christ in our relationships, our communities, our nation. The light shines in the darkness and it cannot be overcome.

Reflections from Revd Sarah Crane, Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee

Like many of us I am a bit surprised to find myself in December. This year has gone so quickly!

The Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee (HCSC) sits under the Free Churches Group (FCG) Board and is responsible for supporting and shaping the work of Revd Dr Mark Newitt, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy at FCG.

For the Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee it has been a really full and positive year. We have welcomed a number of new members to the group, Linford Davis and Terry Bentley, both bringing a wealth of experience within healthcare and social care chaplaincy as well, as a broader perspective from other denominations within FCG. Our goal is to as representative as possible of the breadth of our member denominations so we are delighted to have made these appointments. This year we also said a big thank you to Mark Burleigh and Kate Le Sueur, who stood down at the end of their respective terms.

As always in 2024 we have been grateful to Mark for his passion and enthusiasm for the support and development of healthcare chaplains within the FCG and beyond. Through the year, either individual or in partnership with others the FCG has offered:

• Our Annual Study Day in June exploring being on the margins through art, research and story.

• Three Nourishing Roots days shared with chaplains from other contexts providing space to meet and reflect together on our spiritual wellbeing.

• Monthly Pop-Up Reflective Practice providing hour-long sessions for chaplains to come together and reflect on their practice.

• A monthly Research First Journal Club building research literacy through critiquing a recent journal article.

• the Narrative newsletter, and information digest which goes out monthly to more than 600 chaplains within the FCG and beyond.

We are also very pleased to see more members of the committee representing healthcare chaplaincy in other places. Janelle Kingham, Mark Newitt and I have all become directors of the UKBHC in the past six months. (Janelle has also become Vice Chair of the Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health.) It is good to know that Free Church healthcare chaplaincy is part of the broader work and conversations which take place across the four nations of the UK and within the representative bodies and other stakeholders.

We look forward to the year ahead in confidence of being able to continue to support chaplains and to influence practice in ways which promote public safety, professionalism, and person-centred care within all healthcare chaplaincy contexts.

Just as chaplaincy requires us to sit with faltering and stilted humanity in moments of raw struggle and real human experience, may we this Advent and Christmas know that the child in the manger comes to do the same for us. As we prepare for Jesus’ coming, we can hold fast to the promises of the Kingdom of God, both now and in all its fullness.

Sarah Crane

Chair, Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee

Prayer for those receiving exam results

As you receive your exam results, may you feel the love of God surrounding you.

You are a wonderful creation of God, made of love, light and hope,

May you feel the love of God surrounding you.

God is with you, whether you are celebrating or are disappointed,

May you feel the love of God surrounding you.

We thank God for your uniqueness; for your individual gifts and skills,

May you feel the love of God surrounding you.

As you take your next steps in life,

May you feel the love of God surrounding you.

God’s love will surround you wherever you go – may you also make that love known to others.

Amen

Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson elected as Moderator-elect to serve from April 2025

We are delighted to welcome Reverend Dr. Tessa Henry-Robinson as the new Moderator-elect of the Free Churches Group. Tessa will support the current Moderator, Reverend Canon Helen Cameron, in her first year before assuming the Moderator’s role in April 2025. The Free Churches look forward to working with Tessa over the coming months.

Tessa said, “I welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively in an ecumenical capacity. My background and work within the United Reformed Church (URC), which is itself an ecumenical union of churches, have uniquely prepared me for this role, emphasising my leadership capabilities as well as my commitment to ecumenism, inclusivity, and justice.”

Tessa has just completed her year as Moderator of the URC General Assembly and continues to have pastorate responsibility for four URC congregations in east London. Her work as the Moderator of the URC General Assembly involved engagements both in the UK and internationally. She has significant experience in church operations, making her well-placed to navigate and lead complex discussions and initiatives across Free Church denominations. Her ministerial and professional journey includes significant milestones that align closely with the values and objectives of the Free Churches Group. As the first Black and/or ethnically minoritized woman to serve in her current roles, she is committed to diversity, empowerment, and racial justice.