Providing spiritual & pastoral support at a distance: online event 17th March

This event, hosted by Theos, explores how chaplains have supported people during the crisis, and how care has changed with restrictions on physical presence.

Among those on the front-line of the Covid crisis, there are people whose job it is to provide spiritual and pastoral care for anyone who needs it. Throughout the pandemic, chaplains, faith advisors and pastoral carers have been supporting the isolated, offering a listening ear to the anxious, and comforting the ill, dying and bereaved.

This free event brings together a panel of chaplains and pastoral carers to discuss spiritual and pastoral care at a time of physical distance. It also marks the launch of new research by Theos, exploring the contributions of university chaplains during Covid, the challenges they have faced, and what can be learned from their experiences.

(cover photo courtesy of Konstantin Planinski @ 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)

Methodist Schools webinar: so, you’re interested in school chaplaincy?

Every couple of years, Methodist Schools organises an informal session for people to find out more about school chaplaincy and explore whether it might be a calling for them.

This year we are running the session by webinar on 3rd March at 2.00pm – 3.45pm. There will be an overview of the nature of chaplaincy from the leader of the Centre for Chaplaincy in Education and reflections on the nature of the work from serving chaplains in the state and independent sectors – and from a headteacher, talking about why it is important to the school.

This session is aimed at people who might be interested in working in school chaplaincy, whether lay or ordained. It’s being run by Methodist Schools, so it will be coloured by experience within that sector but will have a more general appeal if chaplaincy is your area of possible interest. It would also be valuable for people about to embark on a school chaplaincy role – maybe someone anticipating a station which includes a school, for example.

All interested people are welcome! If you would like to join us, please send your details to the Methodist Schools office (oolayinka@methodistschools.org.uk) and we will send you joining instructions.

Changing Tack: Racial Justice in the Criminal Justice System Webinar 2

You are invited to the Racial Justice in the Criminal Justice System Webinar 2 on 23rd February 2021 at 6:30pm.

Description: Building Community in our engagement with the criminal justice system.

Speakers:
Chine McDonald, Christian Aid
George Barrow, Ministry of Justice
Leon Dundas, Lay Preacher and Hospice Chaplain

Time: Feb 23, 2021 06:30 PM

Please book your place HERE.

Praying for schools across Wales on 25th February - join us!

As you may already know, FCG plays 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. I am pleased to be able to share with you that, following a dynamic and prayerful meeting earlier in January and an inspiring steering group meeting recently, we are hosting a time of prayer for schools across Wales on 25th February from 12.30-1.15pm.

You can register for this prayer time here:

We look forward to welcoming you on 25th Feb and praying alongside you, for our schools across Wales.

Let’s take heart, believing in Jesus’s 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)

(cover photo courtesy of Zac Durant @ Unsplash)