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.

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 

Remember Pray for Schools Fortnight

12th – 26th May 2019 - The vision of Pray for Schools fortnight is to bring together people to pray for schools in their area.

Reaching out to universities - a church resource for you

The FCG Free Church Education Committee have just launched a flyer that can make a difference to how you serve in your community.

Universities, through the sector called Higher Education (HE), play a vital role in our society and communities. We have produced an easy to use flyer to help you and your church find out more about the HE sector and explore ways your church can get involved. You can download, print and share this HERE.

“Higher Education is a massively significant part of contemporary society, with an enormous cultural, social and economic impact on individuals and societies. Universities, the main focus for higher education, are formative for many of their students, not only in terms of intellectual development but also shaping values and world-views. Universities thus impact in a very direct way on nearly half the total young adult population, plus many older people; such is the reach of universities in Britain today. “ Extract from Hope in Higher Education Report which you can read, in full, here,

Join with us as we pray… Majestic God, as students aim higher and develop their God-given potential, give students firm foundations in your wisdom, rooted in your love and stability. We pray for the tutors and chaplains in universities - loving God, give them the wisdom, clarity and patience to support the students and staff with compassion. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen

(photo courtesy on Unsplash by Logan Isbell)

The power of a second chance! A church and community working in partnership

There are lots of exciting and varied ways in which our FCG member churches / member groups are involved in serving their local community and working in partnership to make the lives of people more fulfilling. You can read about the work that a United Reformed Church (URC) in South East England is doing to help this fulfillment come to fruition. Learning in a local centre can be a really powerful way for adults to gain in confidence and have a second chance to develop their skills, even if their school life didn’t go to plan.

They have had a new lease of life at the church and made some excellent links with people from all walks of life. Read their story HERE.

What might you do? How could your church develop something similar?

You can download this free resource which has prayers for the education sector and is full of ideas on how to go about making links.

Join with us as we pray… Living God, we pray that you will guide and inspire all those adults who are embarking on training to improve their employment prospects. We uphold in prayer all those seeking support and new learning, to help give them a second chance in life and learning. We pray for the tutors and church partnerships with local learning providers, that they have the courage, wisdom and stamina to support the students. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

(Photo courtesy of Helena Lopes at Unsplash)

Serving as a college chaplain; serving God in the community

Across the UK, there are hundreds of further education colleges. There’s probably one in a town near you! Colleges are exciting and dynamic places of learning, training and development for young people and adults. Student support and chaplaincy services are vital to enable students to make the most of their lives at college, as they chart through the challenges and opportunities which they encounter.

What is life like for a chaplain in a college? You can read all about the work and witness of a chaplain here. Cathy, the chaplain featured here, works with Festive - a UK based Christian charity working in FE

What could you do?

What could your church do to link up with your local college?

Check out further information and the FCG action flyer here to learn more about how to get involved.

Let us pray… Living God, we pray for students, tutors, chaplains and support staff in the further education establishments in our area. May students be filled with strength, determination and wisdom to fulfil their potential in their vocational and academic studies. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

(Photo courtesy of Unsplash)

Life in all its fullness...

We are delighted to announce the publication of a new report entitled: LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS: The Free Churches and schools: a report and recommendations from the Free Church Education Committee

This is a comprehensive report which includes lots of helpful background information on, for example, how our schools are organised, the place of religion in schools and what difference Free Church members can make to our schools.

The report has inspiring and grounded recommendations on how to take this work forward; these recommendations will form the basis of the ongoing work of the Free Church Education Committee and our member churches / groups.

We are grateful to those who have contributed to make this report so full and far-reaching.

Please join us as we continue to pray for the work of the Free Church Education Committee. Lord God we pray your blessing on all who work in education, that they may see the kingdom come; We pray your blessing on all who influence education, that they may see your will be done; We pray for all who are receiving education, that they may receive their daily bread; We pray for all those who have received education, that they may share their gifts with all your children; Send us out to live and work to your praise and glory, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Prayer from Education Sunday resources

Dates for your diary - Pray for Schools Fortnight 12th-26th May 2019; Education Sunday this year will be on Sunday 8th September.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash by Annie Spratt