Chaplaincy on the university campus -

Earlier in the summer Canterbury Christ Church University and the Research Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (and others), in collaboration with academic and ecumenical partners, launched an important report about chaplaincy on campus. You can read the report, along with its recommendations HERE.

The report is detailed and covers a great deal of ground - if you are interested in this topic, but do not have the time to read it all, you may find the introduction, recommendations and chapters 1, 7 & 8 particularly helpful in giving an overview.

Here is an extract from the Introduction: “Chaplaincy is a significant aspect of university life. The chaplaincy is often the first port of call for students of faith, as well as for non-religious students, staff, international students and those seeking a supportive, listening ear.” Read more here….

Chaplains play a vital role in the life and times of universities across the country. The FCG have been actively exploring this as part of their work on our HE Working Group. You can read more about the work of the FCG in relation to HE here.

(photo courtesy of Michael Heuss at Unsplash)

A prayer for those moving into further education...

Do you know any young people or adults who are taking the step to start a further education course? Perhaps someone at your church is or a grandchild is starting college? My eldest nephew is beginning the final year of his A levels and it is a busy challenging time for him and many other young people as they strive to do their best. Why not join with us as we pray…?

Loving God, we ask you to be with all of the students who are entering further education for the first time. Be with them and uphold then at this time of new beginnings.

We pray for all those returning students, beginning a new year; we pray they can continue to grow and that they consolidate and enrich their studies in the coming year.

Living God, we pray that you will guide and inspire all those students embarking on training for employment and all those seeking support and new learning for their personal development.

We pray for the staff and chaplains at our colleges and learning providers, that they have the courage, wisdom and stamina to support the students.

We draw on the Bible and inspiring passages from the great prophet Isaiah and from Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen

Prayer and article by Sara Iles, FCG Education Asst

A call to share

Why not include the prayer above, for those in FE, in the coming weeks in your Sunday service or at
your next Bible study meeting?

A call to act

What is the further education picture like in your local area?

Is anyone in your congregation working or learning in further education? Why not find out?

You can download this free FCG flyer to use and share in your church

(photo courtesy of Simon Rae at Unsplash)

At the beginning of this new school year, let us pray...

Here is a prayer, courtesy of Pray for Schools - FCG have a long standing working relationship with this network and we ask that you join us in prayer at the beginning of this new school year…

Dear Lord,

Please inspire and guide Christians involved in chaplaincy roles and those leading assemblies and lessons.

Creator God, inspire chaplains and teachers as they support learning through music, drama, sport, and other school activities.

May Your grace and truth be evident in their lives.

Amen.

A date for your diary - a day of prayer, across Europe and the world, for our schools, coming up on Tuesday 19th November

Every school in the UK a prayed-for school….

(photo by Element5 Digital at Unsplash)

Ever wondered what a university chaplain does...?

Have you ever wondered what kind of things a university chaplain does? Each chaplain in every university plays a key role in supporting students and staff. As you can imagine, no two days are the same! Universities are dynamic, thriving, sometimes challenging and diverse places of human endeavour.

You can read all about a day in life of a university chaplain here. As well as the chaplain’s ‘day in the life…’, there are also links and a prayer for you to share in your church.

We are grateful to the Rev Cass Howes, who has been an active member of the FCG HE Working Group, for sharing some of her work with us for this case study.

Please join with us as we pray for university chaplains, other staff and students across the country, 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. Amen

(photo courtesy of Brooke Cagle at Unsplash)

Moving on to university or know someone who is...?

… Then this resource could be for you…

The Student Christian Movement have produced a Fresher's Pack which you can find out more about and order HERE. 

The pack says… 

"You might be reading this thinking you've got it all under control. University is just around the corner and you are fully prepared. Totally focussed. In an alternate universe, you're in a blind panic. Unsure about how you'll cope with the new environment, the workload, and how your faith fits into all this. The alarm bells are ringing. What is more important? Church, or study? Socialising, or study? Sleep, or study? We've asked students for their stories and top tips to help you prepare for what's ahead and get the most out of your time at university. So take a deep breath, grab a cuppa, and read on!"

Every blessing to all those taking the step to go to university. May this Freshers Pack support and uphold all those at this time of exciting and intrepid change. Amen. 

ORDER FRESHER'S PACK

(photo courtesy of Zachary Nelson at Unsplash)