"The hospitality of chaplaincy"

The Student Christian Movement (SCM) has been active members of the FCG Higher Education working Group over the last few years. Read who they are, in their words:

““We’re a movement of students, past and present, responding to the call of Jesus to follow him and show the love of God on campus, in our communities and in the world. We come together as an ecumenical and inclusive community, fostering unity in diversity and exploring faith through worship, discussion and action.””

— Student Christian Movement

One of their members, Ellen Lesser, who is studying Theology and Religion at the University of Exeter, has written a powerful article about the welcome and hospitality she found in the university chaplaincy.

You can read more about all the work the FCG has been doing to link with and support our churches engaging with the university sector HERE.

For resources for your churches have a look HERE.

Please join us as we pray for those in education and those supporting them.

(Photo courtesy of Charles Etorama @ Unsplash)

Moving on to university? Helping those who are?

The Student Christian Movement, who has been valuable members of the FCG Working Group on Higher Education have published some useful resources to support you to help those in your churches who are moving into a new phase of their lives and beginning university in the autumn. You can read, download and share these HERE.

SCM says, “We're really pleased to announce the launch of our new Going to Uni workshop resources! These workshops have been designed to work in conjunction with SCM’s Going to Uni Guide, enabling you to go deeper into some of the topics covered in the guide to help young people in your church or chaplaincy to prepare for University life as a Christian student.“

Do join with us to pray for those preparing to start university this September and for the church families, parents and carers who are waving them off….

Creator God, we pray for all those who are on higher education courses for degrees and vocational programmes. We pray especially for those for whom this is a new start… We know this can be a time of great change, so we humbly ask that you uphold and guide the students at this time of transition. 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. Living God, we pray for the parents, carers and church families who know and care for students. Give the parents, carers and our churches the courage to support and guide students. 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. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (NRSV)

(Photo courtesy of Lili Popper @ Unsplash)

"The breathing sacrament of chaplaincy"

In May 2019, a profound and interesting piece was published by a university student about her experience of chaplaincy whilst studying.

Shanika Ranasinghe writes, “University chaplains champion faith presence and practices on campus. What is sometimes less obvious is that they are part of university well-being teams: there for anyone of any faith, denomination or none, for pastoral support. Personally, chaplains have been a lifeline whilst battling health issues – indeed, a chaplain was the only reason I left my first university alive.”

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Please join us as we pray for the vital work of chaplains in our universities:

At the start of the academic year (autumn)
Merciful God, we pray for all those starting university courses for degrees and vocational programmes. We know this is a time of great change, so we humbly ask that you uphold and guide the students at this time of transition. Living God, we pray for the parents, carers and church families who are waving off their church / family members who are embarking on university courses. Give the parents, carers and our churches the courage to be brave about this change in their family and church community, as they see their loved ones go on to a new phase in life.

Throughout the year
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

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You can download resources and prayer sheets to help your churches to support work in universities and other educational sectors HERE

(image courtesy of Hannah Grace @ Unsplash)

Read all about it! Education publications and resources for our members

Over the last few years, the Free Church Education Committee has been busy working on behalf of our member groups and churches to widen our field of work in education.

We have just compiled an easy to use summary of all of our key reports, case studies and prayer resources for you, as our member churches / groups, to have access to.

You can review these here.

Please feel free to download, print and share in your church fellowships.

Please join us as we continue to pray for the work of the Free Church Education Committee and the work we do with churches, schools, colleges and universities…

(photo courtesy of David Iskander @ Unsplash)

Exploring chaplaincy in education - a conference on 10th July!

Are you interested in exploring chaplaincy in education? Have you felt a calling to serve in this way? Are you currently working in education, but want to find out more about how your church can engage with colleges?

The Church of the Nazarene (who are members of FCG) in partnership with Festive, Chaplaincy Central and FCG are hosting a conference on 10th July in Manchester.

This will be a great opportunity to learn more about chaplaincy in education and to find out ways that you can support churches and colleges to work together to support the pastoral needs of students.

The event will be hosted by the Nazarene Theological College and tickets costs £20. You can find out more and book your place HERE.

The kind of student support services, prayer and encouragement that chaplains can provide in colleges are crucial to the progress and confidence students have - although FE serves people of many ages, further education is a key time of transition from youth to adulthood for younger students and so the work and witness of a college chaplain can be vital in offering guidance and support to them.

You can read more about what an FE chaplain can offer here. Please join us as we pray for the work of college chaplains and the staff and students at colleges whom they support and encourage.

To find out more about FE chaplaincy, why not read this?

(photo courtesy of Alexis Brown at Unsplash)