News
The Student Christian Movement are seeking a Regional Development Worker for Scotland. You can see the full details of the vacancy HERE.
Could this be the job for you?
Anyone in your network who might have the gifts and skills for this role?
Are you passionate about helping young people deepen their faith?
Closing date - 17th Sept - for full details see HERE.
Every blessing from the Education Team at FCG, as SCM seek to appoint the right person for this role.
The Free Churches Group have been working with Pray for Schools for many years, and so it is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of Pray for Schools' new website - it's fantastic!
It's full of inspiring ideas, testimonies, resources and ways to get involved.
Their mission: that every school in the UK is a prayed-for school.
So, check out their exciting new website and discover how you and your church can…
Let us pray.... Loving God, We pray for all those who are seeking vocational guidance at this time in the academic year. We pray for all of those who are awaiting GCSE and A Level exam results or the outcomes of vocational course diplomas and exams...
We pray for all those who are in the sixth form and FE who are visiting open days at Universities and planning the next steps in their vocational education.
Praying for those working in careers guidance and teaching and learning support.
We pray for all young people who are considering taking their first steps into work.
We pray for all adults who have been engaged in further and higher education who are planning to return to work after career breaks, spells of unemployment or raising a family.
May God uphold and direct those in need of support and direction. May the paths be clear and the purpose be steady.
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He shall direct your paths' Proverbs 3:5-6.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen
Many of our churches have the benefit of toddlers, children, young people and adults of all ages growing, learning and sharing together. I have often found this is one of the most satisfying and uplifting aspects of our lives in our churches. A real joy to share and develop with all ages!
The benefits of inter-generational learning are well known and in some ways, churches have always known this - but many charities and groups are creating environments where this can flourish and be cherished. Some of you may have spotted the wonderful Channel 4 documentary about 'the old people's home for four year olds' - you can read about the work that St Monica Trust are doing HERE and their history as a Christian foundation HERE.
The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) have lots of locally run courses and programmes to support families and parenting - you read all about it HERE and see what is on in your local area. These may be of use to you, your church family or your work in the wider community. The WEA Grow Together – Learn Together campaign celebrates the positive impact of adult learning on families.
One of our member churches, the Congregational Federation, has been exploring ministry with, for and by older people - you can read about it HERE.
Why not share your stories and experiences with us? Contact me, Sara, to tell me all about it! sara.iles@freechurches.org.uk
Perhaps you could use and share some of the Education Sunday materials on 9 September?
Let us pray - Join me as we pray for all ventures and adventures in inter-generational learning; we ask that our living God blesses and guides us in our church families, as we grow and learn together at all ages. Amen.
Freedom to learn and study while in prison can have a significant impact to the lives of prisoners while serving their sentence and to productive lives after release......
Good news?! There was a rare positive piece of prison news last week, as government research into prison education showed that prisoners who spend their time studying through distance learning are significantly more successful in securing work after release. The cost of funding prison education courses is tiny when compared with the cost of re-offending.
During my pastoral ministry training, I had the privilege of serving alongside a prison chaplain in Gloucestershire. The work I did there and the amazing people I met, had a profound influence on my life, Christian witness and attitudes to life, learning and love. As the Education Assistant with the FCG, I have seen first hand the power of learning in later life, to transform all sorts of people. As church-folk, we have a unique and awesome responsibility to find ways of contributing to this. What could you do? Please feel free to get in touch with me or Revd Bob Wilson at FCG to find out more about how you can get involved.
The Free Churches Group support prisons and free church chaplaincies across the nation. You can read more about this work HERE. In a compelling article, Rod Clarke, the chief executive of the Prisoners’ Education Trust, champions the power of learning inside, to help men and women who are serving time to grow and develop and flourish on release. You can read the full article as featured in the Times Educational Supplement HERE.
Good news indeed!
Revd Sara Iles, Education Assistant, Free Churches Group
