Is your church a fellowship where students are welcome?

Fusion is a Christian organisation who help churches to become equipped for welcoming students into their fellowship.

FUSION IS COMMITTED TO CHAMPIONING A WORLDWIDE STUDENT MOVEMENT THROUGH EQUIPPING STUDENTS AND PREPARING AND INSPIRING STUDENTS FOR A LIFE OF MISSION AND DISCIPLESHIP AT UNIVERSITY

‘...may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you,

through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.’ Hebrews 13:21 (NLT)

Find out more about the work of Fusion and register your church HERE.

For students who have moved away from home to start university, this time of transition can be a bewildering and challenging one. Fusion, by supporting local churches to get better at welcoming students, pray that more doors of faith, hope and love will be opened for the young people who have left home to attend uni.

The FCG is committed to supporting the work our member churches do with local universities. We have been working hard over the 5 years to develop our mission and outreach in this vital field. You can read more about this HERE.

There is a free flyer for your churches which will help you in this work which you can download, share and pray through HERE

Photo courtesy of Simon Maage at Unsplash

Could your ministry be enriched by engaging with faith inspired art?

Exhibitions of faith inspired art can be an effective way of enhancing connections and deepening our faith experience. These can be a motivating agent and a way of engaging with each other and the issues around us.

Westhill Endowment own a number of exhibitions which they make available to venues across the country aiming to encourage conversation and reflection. The exhibitions are varied in both art form and subject matter.

Westhill have been active supporters of the work we do at FCG over the years. At a recent Free Church Education Committee meeting, our opening worship by some of the art works that churches and groups can take on loan.

Westhill says, “We also provide literature to use alongside the exhibits and ideas and support for arranging events and activities which enable conversation and reflection. For more information, or to visit us and view the exhibitions, please look at our website www.westhillendowment.org/faith-exhibits or contact us: E: admin@westhilltrust.com  Tel: 0121 472 8000.”

Image from Meaningful Textiles piece by the late Pamela Pavitt

Pavitt’s work and those of many other artists are available on loan from Westhill

"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)