Praying for schools tomorrow - 13th Jan 12.30-1.15pm

As you may already know, FCG play an active part in the work and mission of the Pray for Schools network. I have been part of their steering group over the last 4 years and am pleased to be able to share with you some information about the Pray Day coming up on Wednesday 13th Jan. (Sara, FCG Media Support Officer)

Dear praying friends, we're all deeply concerned about the current lockdown - schools closed, and with just a few exceptions, children are once again confined to their homes and learning remotely. Pray for Schools is hosting an interactive Zoom session to pray about this and we’d love you to take part. Please also forward this to anyone who may be interested. Joining us will be representatives from Association of Christian Teachers, CARE, Free Churches Group, Open the Book, Prayer Spaces in Schools, Scripture Union and YFC and many other individuals with a heart to pray for young people at this time.
We invite you to log in at 12.30pm on Wednesday 13 January, using the Zoom link we’ll send you.

The fast-moving 45-minute session will focus on three key areas:

• School leaders, teachers and other staff

• Children, parents and carers who are home-schooling

• Government plans, concerns for young people's futures and the hope we have in God's mercy and grace.

As well as praying, Christians can offer practical acts of kindness and support to local schools. We pray that many of you will be inspired by our 2021 'Love our Schools' resources, at www.prayforschools.org/loveourschools with many suggestions about sharing God’s love throughout the Spring – albeit within the restrictions of Covid! Let’s take heart, believing in Jesus’ wonderful promise that ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.’ John 15:7 (NIV)
Please click register on Eventbrite in order to receive the Zoom link.

God bless you

Celia and Jane

Celia Bowring: Chair Jane Newey: England Coordinator england@prayforschools.org

(cover photo courtesy of PFS website)

University of Exeter seeks applicants for the post of Free Church Chaplain

The University of Exeter are welcoming applications for the post of University Chaplain.

They are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person with excellent interpersonal skills and pastoral sensitivity, to take up this exciting new post as part of the Exeter University Multifaith Chaplaincy team. It will be a half time post of 20 hours per week.

Applications are invited from members in good standing with one of the sponsoring denominations (Baptist, Methodist, or United Reformed).

The closing date for the vacancy is 12th February 2021 and interviews will take place on 26th February.

For further information about the post and how to apply:

Coffee and chat at 4pm today for university chaplains

Coffee and chat for HE chaplains is a weekly opportunity to come together (virtually) with other chaplains. There is no fixed agenda, so you can bring questions, ideas, things that are bothering you, celebrations …

Each session lasts an hour and concludes with time for reflection and prayer, in a very relaxed and gentle way, often with visuals and music.

Coffee and chat takes place alternately on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. and Thursday afternoons at 4 p.m. We use Zoom as the platform and the codes are available on this page.

Coffee and Chat 4 p.m. today

Zoom code

Look out on our website for dates coming up in the new year.

Every blessing for a peaceful Christmas.

(photo courtesy of Tyler Nix at Unsplash)

Vacancy for Free Church Chaplain at The University of Exeter

The University of Exeter are welcoming applications for the post of University Chaplain.

They are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person with excellent interpersonal skills and pastoral sensitivity, to take up this exciting new post as part of the Exeter University Multifaith Chaplaincy team. It will be a half time post of 20 hours per week.

Applications are invited from members in good standing with one of the sponsoring denominations (Baptist, Methodist, or United Reformed).

The closing date for the vacancy is 12th February 2021 and interviews will take place on 26th February.

For further information about the post and how to apply:

Student mental health and the pandemic: webinar on 14th December

We will be hosting a free webinar on Monday 14th December on the vital and timely topic of student mental health and the pandemic.

This is a free event aimed at supporting university chaplains and anyone else who is interested in this topic. It will take place from 10.30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

“The conditions created by the pandemic have taken their toll on the mental health of students. Chaplains are increasingly having to deal with issues connected with mental health, but may lack confidence to do so. This webinar aims to give chaplains access to the latest thinking from both institutional and student perspectives, and to signpost further sources of information and support.”

— Event organisers

Our speakers will be Dr Ruth Caleb, MBE who is Chair of the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education (MWBHE) Working Group and Pete Gaffney who is Student Engagement Officer from Student Minds.

The event will be chaired by Revd Dr Stephen Heap, Chair of the Free Church HE Working Group.

Please register for the webinar using the link below

(cover photo courtesy of Deniz Altindas at Unsplash)

REGISTER HERE FOR WEBINAR