Education

Supporting young people who are going to university?

If you and your church are supporting young people who are going off to university, then you might find this leaflet we have just published useful: Branching Out

It is designed to be printed out double-sided and folded into 3 and covers a variety of things, such as:

  • Getting ready to go

  • Making contact

  • Practical help


You may also find the ideas and resources helpful on the links below:

A CALL TO PRAY 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

Education Chaplaincy - survey results out now

Chaplaincy Central hosted a survey which resulted in over 100 chaplains from schools and colleges responding. The results were published earlier in the summer and you can read all about them by checking out the links below. The survey is set out in 4 parts:

The survey results make interesting reading - did you know that whilst chaplains are involved in taking services and assemblies, they play a vital role in mentoring and pastoral work with students?

The survey also highlights some of the challenges and delights of working as an educational chaplain…. such as… “Seeing young lives changed and outcomes improved.” What could be more headline grabbing than this statement made by two chaplains responding independently to the question: ‘What is your biggest highlight of the past year in educational chaplaincy?’

There are some really interesting findings, so why not take a look?

Chaplaincy Central’s vision is: “With the rapid growth in the number of people working as chaplains in schools and FE colleges has come a desire expressed by many for a way of sharing resources and good practice and for connecting with others. Our vision is that this web site will be a hub for this exchange of news and ideas and that chaplains will find support and encouragement through being better connected with one another and with Chaplaincy Central.”

The Free Church Education Committee invite you to join with us as we pray for the work of Chaplaincy Central, pray for all of those serving as chaplains in our schools and colleges and for the networks of churches who support chaplains. To find our more about how your church might get involved or get access to more resources to support your church in building partnerships with local colleges check out the FCG link HERE.

Let us pray… 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. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

(photo courtesy of Jens Johnsson at Unsplash)

A rolling prayer diary for each day of the month...

It is perhaps quite logical for us to think about students at the beginning of the academic year…. each September. It is a time of great change as students get used to living away from home and settling into a new home and church community.

Often the first few months can be the hardest, so students need our on-going support and prayer as they chart their way through the first few months.

The Student Christian Movement (SCM) has designed an easy to use rolling prayer calendar which you can use in your personal devotions and at your church to pray on each day of the month.

You can download this here.

SCM says, “Your prayers for the movement are very much appreciated. Our prayer calendar has a specific prayer item for each day of the month, including SCM groups across Britain, Link Churches and Link Chaplaincies, our volunteers and the staff team.”

(photo courtesy of Alexis Brown at Unsplash)

Praying for those teaching RE...

Let us pray…

For teachers and support staff in the teaching of RE and those studying RE at primary and secondary school.

We pray for NATRE (National Association of Teachers of RE) and pray for wisdom as we engage with all faith traditions.

Amen

Learn more, dig deeper in your faith, explore our Free Church traditions…

  • Have you seen the RE Reformation resources commissioned by the Free Churches Group and The Methodist Church, sponsored by the Westhill Endowment and produced in association with RE Today Services..A teaching resource for Religious Education for teachers working with children and young people at Key Stages 2-4 - available here.

  • If you are interested in RE, if the the RE curriculum interests and inspires you to learn more… why not register for the NATRE newsletter?

(photo courtesy of Diego PH at Unsplash)

A prayer for students...

The Student Christian Movement has been active members of the FCG Working Group for Higher Education over the last few years. You can read more about this Group here.

Today we are sharing a prayer written for the SCM by Chine McDonald….

Why not share this prayer at your house group or on a coming Sunday at your church?

“Never-changing God,

At a time when we see fragmentation all around us, may we stand steady on the rock that cannot be shaken. As students find themselves in the hubbub of university life, may they find your still small voice.

As our identities are shaped and moulded by all that is around us, may we see ourselves as you see us.

As we seek to bring your light and life into our world, may we find the life in all its fullness that comes only from you.

Amen.”

(photo courtesy of Ryoji Iwata at Unsplash)