Today is Pray Day for Schools

Join us as we pray for schools today. The Free Churches Group, Scripture Union, Open The Book and many other partners are involved in supporting Pray for Schools across the UK. 

Churches, individuals and groups are encouraged to pray for their local schools. Join in and create a powerful wave of prayer for our schools... 

There are lots of interesting and inspiring resources on the Pray for Schools website 

We are encouraging everyone to use the hashtag #SayDoPray and to say the Lord’s prayer over their school. #SayDoPray—in a spirit of love, joy and peace with kindness, goodness and gentleness showing patience, self control and faithfulness—both for ourselves and those who serve in schools.

From the Living Bible: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5 v22 & 23

Join us and create a wave of prayer for our schools! 

Praying for students

The Further Education and Sixth Form Initiative (known as Festive) offer prayers for those who are students in sixth form or in college. If you are currently studying in FE or know someone who is, why not send in a prayer request? 

Their mission is to:

• Inspire Students
• Equip people for Mission
• Love FE & Sixth Forms

You can find out more about Festive by checking the link HERE. 

Why not consider having regular prayers of intercession at your church for students and staff in further education (FE)?

At any one time, there are over 3 million students engaged in FE, so this group are a huge part of our communities.... If you would like some ideas or resources to inspire your prayers, look HERE. 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) 

Image from high-quality Christian stock photography available for FREE - Photo from Freely Photos by Cristian Newman  

Further in faith

On 2nd November 2017, the Further Education working group for the Free Churches Group met and made excellent progress on this work. 

In 2015 a Working Group was commissioned by the Directors of the Free Churches Group to produce a Report on the current and potential future engagement of the Free Churches with Further Education (FE). The Working Group have met and liaised regularly since autumn 2015. An Action Plan and Vision Statement are helping to provide a firm foundation for this work, going forward. 

The Working Group are pictured here are the working group from a range of Free Church denominations including New Testament Church of God, the Congregational Federation and the United Reformed Church (photo by Sarah Lane Cawte, Education Officer, Free Churches Group). From left to right (brief biographies of working group HERE) - 

Rev. Lester Freckleton, Rev. Alistair Smeaton, Professor Graham Handscomb, Rev. Sara Iles, Dr. John Wise, Anthony Alderman. 

Watch this space in the new year for ways in which your church and denomination can get involved in this vital work in your communities! 

Let us pray.... 21st November 2017

Join us as we pray for schools on Tuesday 21st November. The Free Churches Group, Scripture Union, Open The Book and many other partners are involved in supporting Pray for Schools across the UK. 

Churches, individuals and groups are encouraged to pray for their local schools. Join in and create a powerful wave of prayer for our schools... 

There are lots of interesting and inspiring resources on the Pray for Schools website 

We are encouraging everyone to use the hashtag #SayDoPray and to say the Lord’s prayer over their school. #SayDoPray—in a spirit of love, joy and peace with kindness, goodness and gentleness showing patience, self control and faithfulness—both for ourselves and those who serve in schools.

From the Living Bible: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5 v22 & 23

(Pear drawing kindly provided by Heather Parker—Instagram: heatheyme)

PrayDay 21st Nov 

Daughters of Dissent

A Century of Women’s Ordination

On September 17th 1917, at the height of the First World War, Constance Todd was ordained to the congregational ministry at the then King’s Weigh House now the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile, in London. She was ordained alongside her fiancé, Claud Coltman, and they were married the following day. Congregational Churches are member denominations of the Free Churches Group (CF and URC). 

Constance Coltman had studied Theology at Mansfield College Oxford.

Many events and celebrations have been held during this year to commemorate Constance's ordination.

Earlier in the summer, at Mansfield College, for a special day of events and fellowship, members of the Free Church Education Committee, including Revd Joy Langford BA, worshipped and shared with Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws: Helena Kennedy QC, FRSA and Revd Dr Janet Wootton MA (who has served on the Free Churches Council).

(Pictured here - left to right - Baroness Kennedy, Revd Langford, Revd Wootton - photo by Revd Sara Iles). 

You can read more about Constance Coltman's compelling and radical ministry in service to God  HERE and by listening to the Sunday Sequence and to this Radio 4 programme on Woman's Hour.