Telling a child someone has died from COVID-19...

I have been a supporter of the charity, Winston’s Wish, for many years. This organisation and may others like it do vital and compassionate work with children and their families who are bereaved. Their mission is - giving hope to grieving children.

They have produced some helpful and thoughtfully put together advice to support parents, carers, guardians and other adults about how to tell a child someone has died of the coronavirus.

Please do share with those in your network.

To find out more about the work of Winston’s Wish, see HERE.

Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

(photo courtesy of Joel Overbeck at Unsplash)

Prayer time for school and college chaplains - online each morning at 8.30am

The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education would like to invite school and college chaplains to a prayer meeting, held each morning at 8.30am for half an hour.

Topic: Prayer Room for Chaplains
Time:Daily  08:30am GMT

Join Zoom MeetingMeeting ID: 227 482 842

——

Here are some words of encouragement, inspiration and comfort from The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education:

We are all very aware of the daily changing nature of the current world crisis. I, like you I am sure, have been very humbled, challenged and inspired by the desire of so many to support the vulnerable as well as saddened by the fear and angst that is causing so many to struggle with sourcing food and items they need. I am stating the obvious in saying we are in unchartered waters and yet as leaders within the communities whom we serve we need to be showing a different way:

The desire of the Father is that all know His love;

The way of Christ is that of loving service of others;

The Spirit leads us into the heart of love so that WE may know His peace that passes understanding and when we know this, take this to others.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Click & Learn Photography at Unsplash)

Prayer time for school and college chaplains - online each morning at 8.30am

The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education would like to invite school and college chaplains to a prayer meeting, held each morning at 8.30am for half an hour.

Topic: Prayer Room for Chaplains
Time:Daily  08:30am GMT

Join Zoom MeetingMeeting ID: 227 482 842

——

Here are some words of encouragement, inspiration and comfort from The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education:

We are all very aware of the daily changing nature of the current world crisis. I, like you I am sure, have been very humbled, challenged and inspired by the desire of so many to support the vulnerable as well as saddened by the fear and angst that is causing so many to struggle with sourcing food and items they need. I am stating the obvious in saying we are in unchartered waters and yet as leaders within the communities whom we serve we need to be showing a different way:

The desire of the Father is that all know His love;

The way of Christ is that of loving service of others;

The Spirit leads us into the heart of love so that WE may know His peace that passes understanding and when we know this, take this to others.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Casey Horner at Unsplash)

Prayer time for school and college chaplains - online each morning at 8.30am

The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education would like to invite school and college chaplains to a prayer meeting, held each morning at 8.30am for half an hour.

Topic: Prayer Room for Chaplains
Time:Daily  08:30am GMT

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 227 482 842

——

Here are some words of encouragement, inspiration and comfort from The Centre for Chaplaincy in Education:

We are all very aware of the daily changing nature of the current world crisis. I, like you I am sure, have been very humbled, challenged and inspired by the desire of so many to support the vulnerable as well as saddened by the fear and angst that is causing so many to struggle with sourcing food and items they need. I am stating the obvious in saying we are in unchartered waters and yet as leaders within the communities whom we serve we need to be showing a different way:

The desire of the Father is that all know His love;

The way of Christ is that of loving service of others;

The Spirit leads us into the heart of love so that WE may know His peace that passes understanding and when we know this, take this to others.

Amen

(photo courtesy of Melissa, a 15 year old Gateway college student)

Cultivating patience...

Ah, cultivating patience… I wonder how our patience may have been tested in new ways in recent days. I wonder if we have discovered unexpected channels of patience in ourselves? When we consider the definition of this word, we find it means the “quality of being willing to bear adversities, calm endurance of misfortune, suffering.” Certainly something that is necessary in these strange times, but one that we can also develop and strengthen, through prayer, increasing self-awareness and sharing honestly with others.

A prayer activities sheet, which has been designed for use by families at home, is on the theme of patience… it begins…

“Christians believe that we should practice being patient. This can sometimes be difficult when we are waiting for something or being annoyed by someone. It means we need to be quiet rather than complaining and smile when we might not want to. But being patient can also bring us and the people we know and love... peace.”

BePatient: BeSpace activities to bring a sense of peace and calm to your life…

By way of background for FCG: As part of our partnership work for the Free Church Education Committee, we are members of the Pray for Schools network, working alongside lots of other dynamic and engaged Christian organisations. One of the other groups who are also on the Pray for Schools network is BeSpace… BeSpace is a Christian charity who encourages churches to work together to see prayer and reflection spaces happening in all areas of the community. Their vision to see every child, young person and adult connect with God in their daily lives from the school into the home.

(photo courtesy of Bekir Donmez at Unsplash)