Education Sunday is coming up soon!

Education Sunday will be celebrated on 13th September this year. You can download and share the prayers and resources for this year HERE.

The theme for for this year is: A learning people in a time of change.

At this start of the new academic year, may I share this gathering prayer, which I wrote in 2017, as part of the Education Sunday materials:

Let us come together and pray…

Loving God, Gather us in from north, south, east and west, from city, town and village.

Gather us together, in your name, as your church, to praise your Holy name.

Gather us and let your kingdom come. Let us rejoice in your glory and grace.

Gather us, like fragile saplings, at the start of this new term / new season*, eager to learn, even if we feel unsure. Let us know we are always rooted deep in your love. Give us strong branches to reach out in trust.

Gather us, as we draw close to Christ, listening to Jesus’ words. Let us be sustained by his ministry and saving love.

Gather us ever closer to you when we know we have let ourselves and others down. Let us know your reassurance and the promise of forgiveness, so we can start afresh, this term / this season.*

Gather us around the glow of the Holy Spirit; the Spirit that gives us fire in our hearts to yearn for and work for justice. Let us be inspired and transformed to embody the change we want to see in the world.

Gather us, like threads, from all walks of life, from schools, colleges and universities; from homes and workplaces; from places of transition and refuge. Let us be woven together, in your name, to create a haven of hope and wonder for all; to make a rich and diverse tapestry of love and life in all its fullness, which reflects your Holy image.

Gather us and strengthen us to serve in the world; to reform all that is unjust; to reshape and cherish the planet, to nurture the earth, as you intend.

Gather us and empower us, living God, to share the Good News of your grace and mercy.

In the name of Jesus, our friend and teacher.

Amen.

Prayer by Revd Sara Iles, Congregational Federation in Wales and FCG Media Support Officer

(cover photo courtesy of Nathan Anderson @ Unsplash)

HE CHAPLAINS' COFFEE AND CHAT MEETING on 27th August...

HE chaplains are invited to virtual “Coffee and chat” sessions on a weekly basis (tea and any other beverages are equally acceptable! )

This will be a time where anyone, who would like to, can connect.

There will be time for prayer and reflection and time to chat, share ideas, ask questions – whatever you like.

Here are the dates for the HE chaplain’s coffee and chat meetings:

Thursday 27 August 4 p.m.

Future dates:

Bank Holiday, so no Monday meeting on 31 August;

Thursday 10 September 4 p.m.;

Monday 14 September 10 a.m.;

Thursday 24 September 4 p.m. 

We will send the Zoom code to chaplains on our list before the first event, but please get in touch if you’re not sure if you’re on the list and wish to be included: sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk

(photo courtesy of Clay Banks at Unsplash)

Today is a big day!

Today is a BIG day!

Young people across the UK will be receiving their GCSE results.

As we will all be aware from the year’s events and particularly the media coverage concerning the assessment processes this year, it has been a challenging and complex time.

It has been a difficult time for children and young people, awaiting results, and being unclear of all the machinations about the protocol for grading this year. it has also affected parents and carers who have been worried about their families. It has been a hard time too for teachers, support staff, DfE, civil servants and examining bodies.

We pray for all of the teenagers who are getting their results today; let us pray…..

Loving God, be with each and every one of them as they look down the list of their grades, when their heart might be heavy with a grade lower than expected or as they leap for joy with a grade higher than hoped. We know, living God, that you are our teacher and our friend, with each one of us, through all of life’s up and downs… so be with all of those getting results and be their comforter and their companion. We pray especially for the children, young people and families in our own families and churches…

And dear God, we ask that you are with families, teachers and educational professionals throughout this day and going forward. Give them confidence, stamina and clarity to support those in their homes, schools, churches and communities.

We continue to uphold in prayer all of the conversations about next steps that teens across the UK will be having, after their results; for their sixth form and college options, for their vocational and academic pathways… Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers…

Amen

Date for your diary - Education Sunday 2020: 13th September The theme is: "A learning people in a time of change".

Date for your diary - Pray Day for Schools - 17th November 2020

(photo courtesy of Green Chameleon at Unsplash)

BUILDING COMMUNITY IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - WEBINAR FOR HE CHAPLAINS ON 9TH SEPTEMBER

A free webinar for HE Chaplains will be taking place on 9th September (from 2pm-3.30pm).

In these strange times and in the days ahead, chaplains in universities are faced with new opportunities and challenges in building community, so this webinar aims to support them to face this challenge and create new ways of working.

Book your place HERE!

Universities are managing their return in a variety of ways, with more activities and formal input happening online, and fewer staff and students on campus. Lawrence Moore, Church Mission and Discipleship Consultant, has been been building communities online for many years. In this webinar, he will help HE chaplains to look at theological perspectives underlying community-building, and explore the new opportunities for chaplains to connect with students and staff in a changed environment.

(photos courtesy of Unsplash)

New Hope - an online Youthscape event coming up on 21st September

Schools work is going to look very different this term. Join Youthcsape and partners for New Hope, a free online conference to serve and inspire schools workers amidst uncertainty.

New Hope is an online schools work conference hosted by Prayer Spaces in Schools and Youthscape, streaming live, for free, on Monday 21st September from 10am - 3pm.

WHAT IS IT? An online Conference focusing on what Christian schools work could look like in the coming academic year, and how we as a community will navigate the challenges that this presents. We’d love for you to join us.

WHEN & WHERE? Monday 21st September. Live-streaming to YouTube, and using Zoom for seminars – you'll need to sign up to access the seminars. The day starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm.

WHAT'S HAPPENING? During the day there will be four sessions. Two shaped around keynote presentations, and two shaped around a choice of live webinars. All four sessions will include opportunities to interact and engage with the discussions – there will be a lot of wisdom in these virtual rooms, and we want to make the most of the opportunity to learn from one another.

WHO'S INVOLVED? Keynote contributors will be:

• Jill Rowe, Ethos and Formation Director for the Oasis Trust

• Esther Deans MBE, former Head teacher and chair of the Race Equality and Education Group (REEG)

• Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, the Parliament Under-Secretary of State for Education, interviewed by Bishop Paul Butler, Diocese of Durham

• Rachel Gardner, Director of Partnerships at Youthscape

To register for this event, click HERE.

(cover photo courtesy of Silas Baisch at Unsplash)