Form and Flourish - to re-form... that's the theme for this year's Education Sunday!

Education Sunday theme this year is: ‘Form and flourish - to re-form’. You can download, share and make use of the varied and inspiring resources on this theme HERE.

For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales. It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. This special day is coming up soon - Sunday 8th September. You can share and use the free resources on this day or at any time in the year!

This year the resources include a hymn written by our very own Sara Iles, FCG Education Assistant, based on Deuteronomy 32:11!

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A PRAYER FOR EDUCATION SUNDAY

Loving Lord, We think of the children and young people close to our hearts And know that they are precious in your sight, fearfully and wonderfully made; And so we place them into your hands today. Strengthen and nurture them. Be with them in their coming in and going out, At home, at school, at college, at university, In their sports, activities and clubs, their friendships and their quiet times. Mould them in your image, forming and reforming, Through the positive influence of those whose lives cross theirs, Through the love and example of those who care for them, And through the constant love of your Son, Jesus, who walks alongside them each step of their lives, known or unknown. Amen.

(Image courtesy of Swapnll Dwivedi at Unsplash)

Exciting Christian Youth event coming up in September....

There is a dynamic and inspiring youth event coming up in September which we would like to share with you!

REBOOT

For the seventh year running, REBOOT is coming to London and this year they’ll be at Central Hall, Westminster. Last September, over 1,350 teenagers packed out the venue and we’re praying for at least as many this year – and hoping that number might include you and the young people in your congregation.

Please share news of this event with your churches, youth groups and communities!

You can download the event flyer and also a link to download the promo videos here, in case you’re interested to show them at your church. If you would like to receive hard copies of the flyer, please send an email to media@zachariastrust.org indicating the address and number of flyers you'd like and these will be mailed to you.

(photo courtesy of Devin Avery @ Unsplash)

New website for RE Today

FCG has been active partners with RE Today over the last few years. We collaborated with them on our Reforming Christianity resources.

RE Today is delighted to announce that its new website is now live. The website showcases how RE Today works with schools, SACREs, funders supporting them with high-quality, bespoke RE consultancy services. It also has a resource section which signposts teachers to over 1500 resources which are now all available on the NATRE website with a simple search facility, as well as searchable CPD section. If you are interested in Religious Education or are seeking ideas to use in your churches, their new website is well worth a browse!

Take a look for yourself HERE.

Photo courtesy of Debby Hudson @ Unsplash

Pray for Schools - summer newsletter

For many years, the FCG has been active and diligent members of the Pray for Schools steering group. Their work has been going from strength to strength, engaging many churches and groups in praying for schools across the UK.

You can find out more about their interesting and varied work HERE and register for the newsletter HERE.

Let us pray….. Loving God, thank you for our schools.

We praise You Lord, for You are full of love, peace and hope. Please help us to be people of good news sharing your love, peace and hope into schools. Please help us to build good relationships with everyone. Please help us to be peace makers when there is tension and stress. Please help us to bring hope when there is despair and dejection. Please help us inspire others to be joyful when there is much to celebrate. Please help us demonstrate your love. Amen

Date for your diary! Pray Day is the third Tuesday of November every year when schools across Europe and around the world are the focus of prayer. This year it will be held on Tuesday 19th November 2019, with schools across the UK taking part. Join in the wave of prayer for our schools in your churches!

(photo courtesy of Naassom Azevedo at Unsplash)

(Prayer written by Lisa Jones, Scripture Union’s representative on the Pray for Schools Steering Group)

Coming up to the end of term...

Many of us know children in our families, churches and communities and are well aware that the end of term is fast approaching.

This is often a time which is eagerly looked forward to by children and parents / carers as it is good to have a break from the school regime. It can also be a time of mixed feelings, as the long summer break often exacerbates family tensions and particularly issues around food poverty. I recently visited a Congregational Church (CF are FCG members) who are making meals available for all the children locally during the summer break, as they have noticed a shift in the ability of some families to be able to provide during the holidays.

What does your church do? How might your church be able to offer support?

Last summer the Trussell Trust published an article and report about the needs of families over the summer. You can read this here.

Join us as we pray for children, young people and their parents and carers during the summer holidays.

Help them, loving God, to reach out to one another, in peace and love, and help them to reach out to those in their communities who can offer support, so they can assist and support, where needed.

We pray for churches and community groups who are showing the love of Jesus by providing meals, fellowship and activities to support children over the summer holidays.

May these be a great time of sharing and compassion. May new relationships between churches and local families be nurtured during this time.

Join us as we pray for our schools… for teachers and support staff who are approaching and much needed break, at the end of the academic year and for their families and communities.

Amen.

(photo courtesy of Jason Ortego at Unsplash)

Sara Iles, FCG Education Asst