Read all about it!

Lost of good news and progress happening in The Free Church Education Committee (FCEC)!

Lots of prayer sheets and case studies you can share in your churches too!

The FCEC along with working groups commissioned by the Free Churches Group, have published a number of documents and papers which you can access and download below. We have also added references to other relevant reports, from ecumenical partners, from the field of education and chaplaincy, which you may find interesting.

You can read all about our work in the field of education and download some prayer flyers from the link HERE.

Read more about the work of the Committee here; join us in prayer for the work we undertake with our group members, partners and member churches.

Loving God… we know that there is always so much work to be done, challenges to overcome and things to be celebrated.

Be with the FCEC as they go into their forthcoming phase of work. The Committee has their next meeting later in October, so we pray for God’s mercy and grace to inspire them with courage and wisdom, as they seek to pursue their work.

We pray that they will encourage FCG members churches / groups to get involved and develop links with their communities schools, colleges and universities and do this to your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Patrick Tomasso at Unsplash)

Prayers at the start of a new academic year...

In my wider community, church and family life, I have been enjoying hearing about all the children, young people and adults who are starting new academic years.

September, with its seasonal shift to autumn, is often seen as a time of new opportunities and fresh starts. A time perhaps to turn over a new leaf or dig deeper and grow in our faith?

There are lots of different types of ways in which we engage with learning, at all different ages of our lives… whether in church, school, college, Bible study groups or community learning… here is prayer for you to share in your church or house group or to pray through in your personal devotions…

Loving God, We pray for all of those in formal and informal education: for those in colleges, universities, in our churches, our Bible study groups, our local schools, for those throughout our community centres, in evening classes and those exploring new pathways. Guide them and support them.

We pray that it is a time of transformation, joy, challenge, personal growth and vocational.
We pray for those in training for ministry and Christian service in our own denominations and across the member churches of the Free Churches Group.

We pray for the students and tutors involved in theological education and ministerial formation. May God uphold, provoke and guide them.

We pray for all those who are on a path to seek 'life in all its fullness' (John 10:10).

Loving God, encourage us to keep praying on this, to learn and share more about the gift of
education and to act with courage, conscience and conviction in your name!

In Jesus' name, our friend and teacher, Amen

Coming up this weekend - Education Sunday - click here for resources to share and pray with

Prayer and article by Sara Iles, FCG Education Asst

(photo courtesy of Stephen Ellis at Unsplash)

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)