A new President has been elected - International Prison Chaplains Association!

On 12 June 2020, a video-conference meeting of the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA) Worldwide Steering Committee (WWSC) elected David Buick to replace Rod Moore as President. The election follows the resignation of serving President Rod Moore for health reasons. Please join us as we thank God for the work that Rev Moore has been able to do with the IPCA over the years and pray for his recovery and healing. We pray for David Buick as he takes on the new role he has been elected to serve in. We are invited to pray towards the end of August too for and IPCA day of worldwide prayer (details below).

“International organisations face major changes as they adjust during this time of global crisis”, said incoming President David Buick. “I look forward to taking up the challenge of leading IPCA Worldwide through this time of transformation as we seek to continue to support prison chaplains worldwide and advocate for prisoners’ rights through our work as an accredited UN Non Governmental Organisation.” You can read the full article on the IPCA news page.

The Free Churches Faith Adviser to the Prison Service, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair to the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

A global day of prayer is taking place for prison chaplains across the world on 25th August 2020. Please encourage your church fellowships to get involved by praying in your homes or by safely physically distanced in your churches (as appropriate). Join with the Free Churches Group and many other ecumenical partners across the globe for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

The theme for this year is: The Grace of God

The IPCA has produced an order of service, complete with readings from Scripture and prayers for you to share and pray through….

Join us as we pray together… you can download the prayer and worship resource HERE

(photo courtesy of Perry Grone at Unsplash)

At a loss...

Through my wider network and a recent Pray for Schools meeting, I have become aware of the excellent work of an organisation called At a Loss.

Their goal is to help the bereaved find support.

What they say about their work:

“Our vision is that: Nobody in the UK, suffering a significant loss, should be left floundering or alone.

Our aim is: To ensure that every bereaved person in the UK can find bereavement support when they need it.”

You can find out more about their work HERE.

Perhaps the resources and materials provided by At a Loss can help you, your church family and your wider community at this time?

Please feel free to share these links.

Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

(photo courtesy of Mitchell Hollander at Unsplash)

Praying with Prison Fellowship this Sunday for prison chaplains ...

Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship this Sunday and in the days ahead?

Prison Fellowship’s mission is to “show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them”… for the last 40 years they have been working with, supporting and praying with and for prisoners across England and Wales.

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years.

Prison chaplains play a vital role in supporting prisoners and prison staff. The work of prison chaplains has become even more challenging, even more rewarding and even more important in these days, so we pray for prison chaplains this Sunday….

Prayer for Sunday 12th July

God of Joy, even in the challenge of lockdown, we pray that prison Chaplains might know the delight and joy of serving the men and women in their care.

Amen

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers…

Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their July Prayer Diary HERE.

(photo courtesy of Malcolm Lightbody at Unsplash)

A Free Churches letter to the Minister of State for Universities

The Free Churches Group has written an open letter to Michelle Donelan MP, Minister of State for Universities, highlighting the challenges faced by the sector because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and urging her to put safeguard the well-being of students and the ongoing contribution of universities to society.

Revd Paul Rochester, the General Secretary of the Free Churches Group points out the risk that groups of students and potential students who are already disadvantaged, might encounter further barriers if provision is not made to address the “digital divide” in society.

The use of graduate salaries as a measure of quality of education is criticised as it disadvantages universities and other providers which prepare students for careers in lower-paid but crucial roles in healthcare and other vocations that benefit society.

Universities, the letter says, should be key agents for social mobility, overcoming barriers to opportunity arising from social class, ethnicity, location or disability.

The churches have a role to play in supporting universities, their staff and students, from welcoming international students to providing spaces for study if social distancing means that university campuses have reduced capacity.

The letter ends with an invitation to the Minister to have further conversation about ways in which churches might play a significant role in the national recovery and other areas of education policy.

You can read the full text of the letter HERE.
           
Note:

The Free Churches Group is an ecumenical body of 24 denominations and church groups that work together to promote faithful witness in the public square.

For further information please contact:
Sarah Lane Cawte, Free Churches Education Officer
sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk        0203 651 8339

To see the Free Churches Group’s publications and statements on education, visit

(photo courtesy of Kate Macate at Unsplash)

A service to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS

The Newcastle Hospitals Chaplaincy Department have made a poignant film with a service of reflection to mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the NHS.

You can watch their film here, which features an adapted version of Psalm 121 - “I lift up my eyes…”

May it be a blessing and a comfort to you.

(photo courtesy of Amy Shamblen at Unsplash)