‘Shaping Worship: Creation’s Climate Crisis – responding in faith’

Wednesday 15 March 2:00-5:30 on Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85184771951

‘Shaping Worship: Creation’s Climate Crisis – responding in faith’

We have arrived at our Earth Environment’s Crisis/Kairos Moment – how can worship help us wake up?

Spring Conference sponsored by the Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain

Presenters:

  • Bible Power – Can the Bible wake us up to Climate Chaos?   - Revd Dr Rosalind Selby (URC), Principal of Northern College, Manchester

  • Time for listening – worship to wake us up   – Revd Phillip Melstrom, Church of Scotland

  • People Power – Can we wake up our congregations?   --  Steve Hucklesby,  Policy Advisor for JPIT, Joint Public Issues Team.  Waking up to the climate emergency, our Christian faith, and preserving the planet as Christians (worked 10 years in conflict and post-conflict settings in Africa and Asia)

  • Science – Can the truth wake us up?     - presenter TBC, hopefully, a Scientist from Norway

Isaiah 24:4 NRSV

The earth dries up and withers,

the world languishes and withers;

the heavens languish together with the earth.

The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; 

Everyone is welcome to attend.  For more information, please visit Here.

For the Zoom link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85184771951  (Meeting ID: 851 8477 1951) 

contact:    worshipwordsmatter@gmail.com

 

Racial Justice Sunday 12 February 2023 – Stephen Lawrence

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)

22 April 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the racist killing of Black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, in Eltham, southeast London. In many respects, Racial Justice Sunday is one of the many legacies of Stephen Lawrence’s life. As such, in marking RJS, churches are remembering a young man who in life aspired to be an architect, but whose legacy has seen him become an architect for justice, equality, dignity and unity.

This anniversary is a key moment for church and society on these islands. Stephen’s killing was very much Britain’s ‘George Floyd moment’ as it clearly revealed the ugly face of British racism, in terms not only of the hatred of those who took this young man’s life, but also of the institutional variety that characterised the appalling investigation into his killing. Akin to all such tragedies, it is a moment for reflection which will enable us to assess what, if any, progress has been made since that tragedy.

Resources

Racial Justice Sunday resources are produced by CTBI’s sponsoring churches. The resource for 2023 will provide readers with opportunities to pray and take action on racial justice-related matters.

The first part of the resource includes excellent liturgical and creative prayers prepared by Phill Melstrom, the Worship Development Worker at the Church of Scotland. This material provides multifarious entry points for any engagement with the subject matter. Equally, we have outstanding worship-related material written by Mark Sturge, a prime mover with Black Majority Churches that will resonate especially with those from Pentecostal congregations. Both items capture the richness and diversity of devotions and worship in our churches.

The second part of the resource includes a variety of reflections from Christians who were around at the time of Stephen Lawrence’s killing. It also features contributions from younger racial justice champions who reflect on what Stephen’s murder means to them as Christians living in a world that is still grappling with racial justice.

Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion, CTBI

Download Racial Justice Sunday 2023 – Stephen Lawrence (PDF)

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SUPPORTING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS

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Does your church host school visits, or would you like to think about ways in which you could invite schools to your building?


Would you consider talking about your Christian faith in an RE lesson, either in school, or through a video link? These are practical ways in which Free Church people can help children and young people to understand what it is to be a Christian and, in particular, what it means to be a Free Church Christian.


A new initiative – RegionalREHubs – has been set up to support schools, teachers and others involved in delivering Religious Education as part of the school curriculum, and one of its first activities is to equip speakers and those who host visits with the necessarily knowledge and insight to do so in a way that is compatible with the needs of schools.


The RegionalREHubs initiative is supported by a range of organisations, including the Religious Education Council, of which the Free Churches Group is a member – and has been for nearly 50 years! A series of free online training events has been launched, and anyone who is interested is invited to register for one of these dates:

2022

Monday 12 December 9:30-11am


2023

Tuesday 24 January 4-5:30pm

Monday 20 February 6-7:30pm

Thursday 23 March 2-3:30pm

Tuesday 18 April 9:30-11am

Wednesday 17 May 11-12:30pm

Tuesday 20 June 10-11:30am


To book a date, email: marketing@regionalrehubs.co.uk


Attending one of these training sessions offers participants the opportunity to sign up to an agreed set of principles for working with schools, and to gain a RegionalREHubs kitemark, either for individuals as speakers, or for church buildings where tours are offered. A national register will be developed, and any enquiries that come through the Regional Hubs will be passed to an appropriate person or an appropriate church. Do consider joining a training session and ensuring that Free Church voices are heard!

You can find more information here.

Photo by Christi Marcheschi on Unsplash

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Nourishing Roots - with Ruth Perrin, 31st Jan 2023, 10:00-16:00

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Location: St Antony's Priory 74 Claypath Durham, DH1 1QT

Date: 31st Jan 2023, 10:00 - 16:00

Register your place HERE.

A day of reflection and spiritual refreshment for Free Church chaplains within the quiet and peaceful surrounds of St Antony's Priory, Durham. This day is part of our tri-annual 'Nourishing Roots' sessions where we seek to help refresh our spirits and have a time of retreat away from our busy ministries.

Our reflections will be led by Dr Ruth Perrin, an experienced minister, trainer, researcher and mentor; she has been exploring and encouraging faith development for two decades and is passionate about helping people to draw close to Jesus and explore their part in his kingdom plans.

A buffet lunch will be provided - please advise us of any dietary requirements in advance.

The day is free of charge, but there are only 15 spaces available due to the size of the meeting room. We will initially have tickets available for six prison chaplains, six hospital chaplains, and three education chaplains. Tickets may be made more widely available in weeks to come.