A thought-provoking, helpful report: the impact of COVID-19 on children's mental health

The United Nations recently acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread psychological distress. Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) has written an informative and thought-provoking report about the impact of COVID-19 on children’s mental health: The Hidden Crisis.

As well as laying out some of the challenges and issues faced, it offers a range of support and ways we can promote well-being and life skills for a better future for all of our children.

Please feel free to share this report with your network, children’s and youth group leaders and your wider community.

“The countless ways that COVID-19 has impacted our society will, directly or indirectly, have a huge effect on our emotional health..... Please read this report, and consider how best to act upon it. ”

— it says in the report's introduction

Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) -

“TLG is a Christian charity that helps churches to
bring hope and a future for struggling children.
From school exclusion, to poverty and holiday hunger, there are children across the UK facing some of the toughest starts in life. We believe change is possible and that’s why in all our work lies an unchanging resolve to transform lives for good.”

— says TLG

TLG are a friend of Pray for Schools

(cover photo by Kat J @ Unsplash)

An invitation to join a prayer vigil on Holy Saturday...

We are invited, by Prisons Prayer Partnership, to join in a prayer vigil!

Our very own Rev Bob Wilson, Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy, says: “I would like to encourage you to join together with other Christians from all over Britain to take part in a PRAYER VIGIL on Holy Saturday (3rd April 2021).” This event is being co-ordinated and hosted by a number of leading Christian Prison Ministries who are coming together to pray for the 24 hours from midnight to midnight. They extend the invite to us - to anyone who has a heart for prayer and cares about those who are in prison and prison staff.

So here’s how the day will work … During this time each prison ministry will be hosting 2 x 1hr slots in which they will be praying for all the aspects of prison life. Rev Bob says, “To my knowledge this is the first time this has been done collectively so join us in this ground breaking event. Every prayer counts.” Bob will be hosting two hour-long sessions (from 06:00-07:00 and 18:00-19:00) and so we would love to see you there; once registered you can join in at any time during the 24 hour period… .You will need to register in advance:

“The aim of the prayer vigil is to let the men and women in custody and
all prison staff know that they are not forgotten
and we are remembering them at this time.”

— Rev Bob Wilson

(cover photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema @ Unsplash)

Anti-racist RE resources and recording of recent panel discussion

As you may already know, in partnership with Methodist Schools, the Free Churches Group commissioned Lat Blaylock of RE Today to write and develop a dynamic and thought provoking range of RE resources - Anti-racist RE - which you can access for free HERE.

We are now delighted to share in full the 'Anti-Racist RE Panel' session

from Strictly RE @ Home 2021.

With thanks to our panellists Anthony Reddie, Alexandra Brown,

Saima Saleh & Sally Elton-Chalcraft.

You can watch a recording of the panel discussion here:

We are grateful to the Westhill Endowment for providing financial support which enabled us to develop these Anti-racist RE resources.

(cover photo courtesy of Alexis Brown at Unsplash)

Distress, loss and bereavement - a support pack from MHA

As part of the regular mailings which our Healthcare Secretary, Mark Newitt, shares with healthcare chaplains, I am passing on a recent publication by MHA, which you may find useful. It is a report aimed at those who are relatives and friends of those living in care settings, but will be helpful to others too.

The support pack, entitled ‘Relative Recovery’, which you can access at link below covers things such as:

• Distress, loss and bereavement

• Grief

• Supporting children

• Guilt

• Dementia

• Two short orders of service for memorials

(cover photo courtesy of Cristian Newman at Unsplash)

Palm Sunday - praying with Prison Fellowship

On this Palm Sunday, we are invited to join Prison Fellowship in praying this prayer:

“Loving God, we are reminded on Jesus entering Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace.
Pray for God’s peace throughout our prisons this Holy Week.
Amen”

May I take this opportunity to invite you to pray for all prison chaplains who are busy preparing services for sharing with prisoners and prison staff over Eastertide.

We pray for Rev Bob Wilson, our very own Free Churches Faith Adviser, who will be particularly busy preparing and recording services for sharing across a variety of prison media over the coming week.

We pray for wisdom, courage and discernment in all they prepare and for the Word to reach the ears of those in prison in need and be a comfort and an inspiration to all who hear…

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen

(Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer)

You can read more about the vital work of Prison Fellowship HERE.

(cover photo courtesy of Jacob Bentzinger @ Unsplash)