Praying during the General Election Campaign 2019

Many of you will already have been having conversations in your churches and homes about the forthcoming UK General Election. Many of you may also have been thinking through the issues and praying during the run up to the election next month.

In order to support us in this prayer quest, you may be interested in the prayer resources which the Evangelical Alliance have been gathering, based on the Psalms of Ascents (Psalms 120-134).

Here is some background to this series of prayers and devotions, which the EA outline for us:

“During the election campaign, we will be using some of these Psalms of Ascents to help guide our prayers. As our current political landscape prompts very different reactions in our churches, we can use these Psalms to pray for ourselves, our fellow believers, and for our country. These Psalms will also help us to ​“fix our eyes on Jesus”, particularly as this election takes place in the run-up to Christmas. Finally, they will also remind us of the city we seek, ​“without foundation, whose architect and builder is God” – even as we cast our votes in whatever city or constituency in which he has placed us. Please join us in prayer over the coming weeks!”

You can download and pray through the devotional series with us HERE.

Praying ahead of the General Election - prayer by the EA

Dear heavenly Father, in this time of uncertainty, may we continue to look to You for help and direction. Please assure us of Your steadfastness and remind us that You are with us at all times – sustaining us and upholding us. Prepare us as we face changes and challenges in the weeks and months ahead and prepare this nation with your unending peace and perfect love.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
'May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels'
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, 'Peace be within you'." Psalm 122:6-8

Amen

(photo courtesy of Element 5 Digital at Unsplash)

Looking after mental health while in prison - a free resource for prisoners and chaplains

The Mental Health Foundation has developed an accessible and informative resource for male prisoners on how to look after their mental health whilst in prison. This guide is not only helpful for those serving sentences, but it has also proved useful for those supporting prisoners, such as prison charities and chaplains.

We are grateful to The Salvation Army Prison Ministries Unit for making us aware of this resource. They have been working closely with the Mental Health Foundation who, after producing this excellent free resource, are keen to share it widely and get it into prisons, so it can support those who are in need.

Inside the guide, there are links to other support organisations, general advice and guidance, as well as 10 tips for looking after one’s mental health in prison. These tips have come from prisoners themselves as well as researchers working in prison…

You can read more about this and download it for free, here.

(photo courtesy of Erol Ahmed at Unsplash)

Revd Debbie Hodge is set to retire from FCG at end of the year

Revd Debbie Hodge will retire at the end of 2019. Debbie has held the post of Secretary for Health Care Chaplaincy, Free Churches, since February 2005 and has been part of the many changes in Chaplaincy over almost 15 years. Her work across ecumenical and faith boundaries has been appreciated by many and she will be missed, particularly by colleagues at the Free Churches Group.

A farewell party to celebrate Revd Debbie Hodge's service to the Free Churches Group will take place at Free Church House on Monday 13 January 2020 at 15:30.

Please save the date and look out for more information.

Say. Do. Pray.

We hope that Christians will join us during the week of 18th to 22nd November and take part in #SayDoPray.

Pray for Schools, with whom FCG enjoy a productive working relationship, are encouraging us all in the coming week, as part of an initiative called Say. Do. Pray

Say something encouraging; Do something kind; Pray for a friend.

There are lots of ways you can take part… download the poster full of ideas here.

Do get involved and pray for your school:

• Giving a gift of a plant or a cake to the teachers in your school.

• By using Social media to promote #SayDoPray

• Just praying on your own,

• Running a prayer meeting or a Prayer Marathon in your school for pupils and/or staff,

• Organising a prayer evening for everyone from your church,

• Setting up a stall in or outside a school and offering to pray for pupils and staff,

• Prayer Walking around your local school and area – see our video,

Pray Day for Schools is on 19th November this year - join us as we pray for our schools

(photo courtesy of Mike Meeks at Unsplash)

Working in schools? Here's some ideas for assemblies...

Many years ago, while I was tutoring on the FCG member church Congregational Federation ministry training programme, I had opportunity to learn more about the work of Spinnaker from one of my students based in London, who had been carrying out a placement with them. I was truly uplifted by the way that Spinnaker inspire and equip teachers and others working in schools, to support children to engage with Christianity.

I am glad to know that Spinnaker are still going strong and continuing to foster positive working relationships with schools, teachers, children and communities.

Since 1986 Spinnaker has been developing opportunities for children to engage with Christianity. One of the key members of the Spinnaker team has played an active role in our Free Church Education Committee for many years, so we are delighted to be able to share some of their resources here with you - all about amazing animals!

This Assembly Pack aims to inspire, encourage and engage children in discovering how amazing God is. Throughout the year we will amazed by awesome animals, we will discover amazing people and will be exploring amazing places that help us understand more about God. Each assembly focuses on a specific value, theme or keyword. You can download the pack HERE

We invite you to join us as we pray for the work of Spinnaker.

Date for your diary - remember Pray Day for Schools coming up on 19th November.

Sara Iles, Education Asst

(photo courtesy of Awmleer at Unsplash)