Furthering the Vision...

Since 2015, the Free Churches Group have been actively seeking ways in which to engage our churches and wider communities in the life and mission of further education providers. The Free Churches Further Education Working Group, chaired by Dr John Wise, have recently published a Vision and Policy Statement for Further Education. This has been affirmed by the FCG Board and Directors in March 2018 and we are pleased to be able to share it HERE.

We would be interested to hear your feedback on this Vision Statement and get your ideas on how your churches and wider church groups and denominations might get involved in this work. For further information or to share ideas and feedback, please contact Sara Iles, the FCG Education Assistant: sara.iles@freechurches.org.uk

The nature of FE makes clear the significant part it plays in the society that our churches seek to serve. There is a clear resonance between the values that drive FE and the core values at the heart of our Free Church heritage and continuing commitment to local communities, mission, outreach and social justice.   This commitment to deepen our engagement with FE will entail doing more to identify and connect with those involved with FE within our own congregations and for churches to seek out and create opportunities to engage with the FE colleges in their local communities.  

You can read more about this important work with FE and the work of the Free Church Education Committee HERE. 

Prayer for those sitting GCSE exams this year...

Let us pray.

Loving God, we ask to bless and uphold all those who are preparing for and sitting GCSE exams this year.

We ask that you give them courage and wisdom in their endeavours. 

We pray that you will sustain their teachers and exam invigilators in supporting the students and conducting the exams with integrity and diligence, across our schools, colleges and other providers.

Living God, we know that this can be a time of stress and challenge, so we humbly ask for Christ's peace to prevail for all at this time. We pray that each and every student will be able to perform to the best of his or her ability. 

We ask all this in the name of Jesus, our teacher and friend,

Amen 

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. 

Fruitfulness on the Frontline...

The national Christian FE charity Festive have produced some inspiring and helpful resources for Christian Unions in colleges and for use in Christian youth groups in your churches and communities.

The resources are produced in partnership with The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) and are designed to support us to a 'make a difference where we are'! You can download and share these resources, free of charge, from the Festive website HERE. 

Here is an extract from the introduction:

• "Have you ever wondered: How can I make everything I do in my place of education count for Jesus and his Kingdom?
• How am I supposed to live as someone who belongs to God where I study?
• Festive has teamed up with LICC to adapt their amazing Fruitfulness on the Frontline (FOFL) resource to help you bear good fruit in your college in everything you do!"

Photo credit for picture of blossom on this article: Melissa, aged 13 

Check out and share the resources with your churches and youth groups... HERE

Exam season....

As we approach the exam season for many children, young people and students in schools, colleges and universities across the UK, why not share the Gathering Prayer from last year's Education Sunday resources in your churches in the coming weeks? This can be used, shared and adapted during your prayers of intercession for the needs in your community.

It can be a time of great stress for children and young people, as focus their energies on revision and planning for exams.... so join us as we pray for schools, colleges, young people, students and teachers.... Let us pray... 

And what will you be doing on Sunday 9th September 2018?

For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales. It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. The theme is to be announced soon and the materials will be available to download in the summer. This is devised by an ecumenical steering group representing different Christian denominations and organisations. The resources are intended to be used as a springboard for a variety of events on or around Education Sunday.

So make a note in your diary and check out the resources later in the summer. 

The date for 2018 is 9th September 2018