NEWS
A bit of Chaplaincy on the Side, a webinar exploring part-time chaplaincy
Monday 5th December from 18:30 to 20:00
Tickets are free and available from Eventbrite here.
Part-time chaplaincy roles come in many shapes and sizes. They may be:
inherited as part of a church posting
be carried out as a distinct role separate from church ministry
a role held alongside secular employment
Whether you are working part-time as a chaplain, would be interested in doing so, or know someone who should consider doing so(!) this webinar will explore how a part-time chaplaincy role can complement, inspire and inform other roles and areas of work and look at some of the pathways to becoming a chaplain.
With input from
The Revd Canon Helen Cameron: Chair of the Methodist Northampton District and Moderator of the Free Church Group
Gary Hopkins: Methodist Ministry Development Officer for Chaplaincy
Suzanne Nockels: Congregational Church Minister and Chaplain at Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Tas Cooper, Quaker Chaplain at Oxford University and a freelance Spanish to English translator
Bob Wilson: Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Advisor and chaplain at HMP Wayland
Mark Newitt: Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy and part of the chaplaincy teams at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and St Luke’s Hospice
The event flyer is available to download here.
Image by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay
Education Sunday 2022, 11th September 2022
Education Sunday will be marked by the churches on 11 September 2022
The theme for this year is ‘You are not lost!’
This year’s readings are:
Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
Luke 15.1-10
1 Timothy 1.12-17
Although some of the resources will make reference to other passages, the main focus will be on Luke 15.1-10: the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
Education Sunday 2022 resources are available to download;
Pray for young people on A-level, BTEC and T-level results day
Pray for young people on A-level, BTEC and T-level results day
We ask you to pray for all the young people who have received results today, and to give thanks for their teachers, who have guided and supported them.
The Methodist Church has a prayer for young people receiving results, which you can find here.
You can find resources to help your church support those who are going to university, or young people who come to your community as students here.
Bookmark for Year 6 Children
We’ve produced a bookmark to remind children who are moving from primary to secondary school, that God is with them, and that you are praying for them.
You can download it here.
A Day in the Life of a University Chaplain
An introspective account on the life of a university chaplain
A Day in the Life
The restaurant on campus is always a good place to meet people, students and staff. This morning over breakfast I chatted with a member of catering staff who told me she had just put in her resignation. We chatted about her reasons for leaving, about her loyalty and commitment to the university and about how leaving felt right, but how her decision was tinged with sorrow. Some of the changes made by the new catering company have not been easy for staff to manage. Going across to the main reception, there was opportunity for a brief chat with reception staff as I informed them I was expecting a visitor the following day: the local police community cohesion officer. All visitors’ names have to be recorded. The Chaplaincy Centre on campus is open every weekday from 9.00am; students were already making tea and coffee when I arrive; the large sofa is a good place to chat with students, one worrying about an imminent presentation, another is concerned as she felt too ill to go to her part-time job, another wanting to talk about how to balance the paid work she has to do to support herself and full time studies.
After lunch, it’s time for some preparation for the holding of a vigil on campus commemorating recent deaths in a terrorist attack overseas; firstly, getting the permission to use the very open public space at the entrance to the university and secondly, checking that no major university events were taking place which would mean it could be difficult to hold a vigil. As guests on campus, the chaplains are always in the position of having to negotiate on use of space and about events. Responses to the enquiries are all positive, so the next step is to talk with our part-time Muslim chaplain who comes onto campus every Tuesday; he is happy to change the time of his visit, so he can participate in the vigil as it’s important that the university Muslim community and the local Muslim community feel supported. The Chaplaincy Centre is busy today with students dropping in, between lectures, or hanging around because, for some, today is a ‘no lecture day’. It’s been said that the Chaplaincy Centre is a ‘home from home’, particularly for international students and those from the EU. The centre is cosy and warm; the Chaplaincy Assistant offers a welcome and hospitality and makes a cracking cup of Fairtrade coffee! At my desk, I have added the new Student Union CEO to the Fairtrade group and circulated proposed meeting dates for our next university Fairtrade meeting, a group I am privileged to chair. At its next meeting we will review Fairtrade Fortnight and start to plan, with the university environmental officer, for a spectacular Fairtrade Fortnight in 2020. Our Chaplaincy Assistant is off to do the shopping for the Global lunch which regularly takes place on Tuesdays in the Chaplaincy Centre.
Last task of the working day for me is to have a phone conversation with a former student who has created a Bedford branch of a mental health charity, originally founded by a current PhD student, on one of our other campuses. As vice chair of the Bedford branch, I have been standing in for her, as chair, while she cares for a close relative. One of our regular Chaplaincy volunteers is also a mentor for students and today she has used our space to see some of her student clients; it’s quiet, and away from the hustle and bustle of the main part of campus. Many of her clients also become regular visitors to the Chaplaincy Centre as they feel happy in a space where they can simply be themselves. The Scrabble board is out and so is Four in a Row, our late-night opening has become a games night! Revd Cass Howes, Methodist, Co-ordinating Chaplain (multifaith chaplaincy), University of Bedfordshire.
For more information about HE chaplaincy and the work the FCG are doing in this area:
What makes a good chaplain?
Higher education - Free Churches Group
Free Churches Group Higher Education Pray for your local universities and those from your congregation who are studying at university.
Reaching out to universities – a church resource for you!
Documents and Publications
Let us pray - Throughout the academic university year: Majestic God, as students aim higher and develop their God-given potential, give students firm foundations in your wisdom, rooted in your love and stability. We pray for the tutors and chaplains in universities - loving God, give them the wisdom, clarity and patience to support the students and staff with compassion. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen
A digital copy of this can be found here