Anti-racist RE resources and recording of recent panel discussion

As you may already know, in partnership with Methodist Schools, the Free Churches Group commissioned Lat Blaylock of RE Today to write and develop a dynamic and thought provoking range of RE resources - Anti-racist RE - which you can access for free HERE.

We are now delighted to share in full the 'Anti-Racist RE Panel' session

from Strictly RE @ Home 2021.

With thanks to our panellists Anthony Reddie, Alexandra Brown,

Saima Saleh & Sally Elton-Chalcraft.

You can watch a recording of the panel discussion here:

We are grateful to the Westhill Endowment for providing financial support which enabled us to develop these Anti-racist RE resources.

(cover photo courtesy of Alexis Brown at Unsplash)

Are you a chaplain working in H.E? Why not join us for coffee and a chat, via Zoom...

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 below. Here are the dates for the next couple of months…

Monday Coffee and Chat (10 a.m.) on March: 15 April: 12, 26

Monday coffee and chat Zoom code

Thursday Coffee and Chat (4 p.m.) on March: 11, 25, April: 8, 22

Thursday coffee and chat Zoom code

(cover photo courtesy of Trent Erwin @ Unsplash)

Rounded: Ready for Life: launch event coming up soon!

Are you working with young people aged 16 to 19 years old?

We are delighted to announce that there is a new resource to support 16-19s in college and beyond. This has been developed by the West Midlands Churches’ Further Education Council. There will be a launch event (hosted at lunchtime on 16th March and early evening on 17th March).

ROUNDED is WM Churches' Further Education Council's new Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development resource for 16-19s in college and beyond.

It comprises six interactive, flexible-format sessions cover different character dispositions which can help young people prepare for an ethical and fruitful life.

We'd love you to join us for one of the two launch events above. Session will include:

• Demo of one of the interactive films

• Introduction to ROUNDED and how to use it

• Hear from ROUNDED's creator, Simeon Whiting

• Time for questions

To take part, please email Ms Lynne Hayes-James indicating which session you would like to join. You will then receive a Zoom link a few days before the event.

(cover photo courtesy of Fang-Wei Lin @ Unsplash)

Explore values and virtues which will help 16-19 year olds grow as rounded individuals

Are you working with young people aged between 16 and 19 years old?

The West Midlands Churches’ Further Education Council has prepared some thought-provoking and interesting resources entitled Ready for Life in six different topic areas:

1. CULTIVATING IDENTITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

2. BEING FAIR AND JUST

3. BEING MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING

4. BEING THANKFUL

5. CARING FOR OTHERS, ANIMALS & THE ENVIRONMENT

6. BEING HOPEFUL AND VISIONARY

Explore values and virtues which will help 16-19 year olds grow as rounded individuals.

For further information and to find out how to order your copy:

(cover photo courtesy of Eliott Reyna @ Unsplash)

Relationships, Presence and Hope: University Chaplaincy during the COVID–19 Pandemic

Chaplains and faith advisors have been on the frontline of the pandemic. This report explores the unique contributions of university chaplains during this time. (2021)

Throughout the pandemic, chaplains and faith advisors have been supporting the isolated, comforting the bereaved, and providing pastoral and spiritual care to anyone who needs it.

In universities, chaplains have faced a massive health crisis among students. In November 2020, a survey of 4,193 students conducted for the National Union of Students found that 52% said their mental health was worse than it was before the pandemic, but only 29% of those people had sought any help.

This report captures the experience of higher education chaplaincy during the pandemic, drawing on interviews with 16 chaplains from universities across the UK. It explores the unique contributions of chaplains during this time, the challenges they have faced, and what lessons can be learned by chaplains and employers.

Download the full report HERE and read an executive summary HERE.

For more information, please visit Theos