Hello. I’m Grace Allick

Hello. I’m Grace Allick, a Healthcare Chaplain based in Essex. I am part of the Free Churches Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee and lead Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Assemblies of God, Great Britain. I recently graduated with my MA in Applied Theology, where I focused on chaplaincy and leadership modules. 

I have been working as a Healthcare Chaplain since September 2018, when I completed my Associate Minister training. I later became a Full Status Minister with the Assemblies of God GB in 2019. Prior to that, I was a school chaplain for four years at my local Church of England secondary school.

I absolutely love being a chaplain and the opportunity it gives to walk alongside those needing pastoral, spiritual, or religious support. Each day is different, and each encounter unique. My faith in God and my relationship with Him guide my decision-making every day. As a Christian Chaplain, I carry the presence of God with me and in me. This is important as I face a variety of situations and need God’s wisdom to know how to respond; when to speak and when to remain silent.

I remember once visiting an elderly patient who was very low and asked for prayer. I asked her if I could play some music, to which she replied, “yes please.” I played ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness.’ When I looked up at her, she was crying. I asked if she was okay. She said the song was special to her because it had been played at her wedding and husband's funeral. We sat and sang the rest of the song together. That was a special moment.

I am passionate about encouraging others to think creatively about how we ‘do’ chaplaincy. I like to give volunteers the opportunity to shadow and get involved in the services and support we provide. I feel this helps volunteers develop a deeper understanding of the role and what it entails. Volunteers are a vital part of our chaplaincy team as we are relatively small. Having over 40 volunteers allows the team to extend its reach across the hospital we serve.

I think the future of chaplaincy is very bright. There are opportunities to explore chaplaincy links within the community and to create stronger relationships to support patients within and outside the hospital setting.

Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson elected as Moderator-elect to serve from April 2025

We are delighted to welcome Reverend Dr. Tessa Henry-Robinson as the new Moderator-elect of the Free Churches Group. Tessa will support the current Moderator, Reverend Canon Helen Cameron, in her first year before assuming the Moderator’s role in April 2025. The Free Churches look forward to working with Tessa over the coming months.

Tessa said, “I welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively in an ecumenical capacity. My background and work within the United Reformed Church (URC), which is itself an ecumenical union of churches, have uniquely prepared me for this role, emphasising my leadership capabilities as well as my commitment to ecumenism, inclusivity, and justice.”

Tessa has just completed her year as Moderator of the URC General Assembly and continues to have pastorate responsibility for four URC congregations in east London. Her work as the Moderator of the URC General Assembly involved engagements both in the UK and internationally. She has significant experience in church operations, making her well-placed to navigate and lead complex discussions and initiatives across Free Church denominations. Her ministerial and professional journey includes significant milestones that align closely with the values and objectives of the Free Churches Group. As the first Black and/or ethnically minoritized woman to serve in her current roles, she is committed to diversity, empowerment, and racial justice.

A message from the FCG Moderator-elect, Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson

I am deeply honoured to become the Moderator-Elect of the Free Churches Group. I look forward to supporting the current Moderator, Reverend Canon Helen Cameron, during the first year of a four-year term and to learning more about the work of the Free Churches. As a committed ecumenist, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the 27 Free Churches denominations/groups who are currently members of the Free Churches Group. I understand that the FCG is growing, and it will be a pleasure to be part of the leadership team welcoming new members. I see this role as a calling and feel deeply connected to our diverse and vibrant Free Churches community. My extensive experience within the United Reformed Church (URC) has shaped my commitment to ecumenism. I believe that by working together, we can more significantly contribute to the common mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ and the hope that His love brings to our world.

I have just completed my year as Moderator of the URC General Assembly and currently serve as the immediate past Moderator. This role provided me with broad leadership and representational experience both within the three-nation context of the United Kingdom and internationally. My contributions to the URC, including roles on the Mission Committee, the Church Life Review Group, the Business Committee, and the Faith and Order Committee, have deepened my understanding of church operations and honed my ability to lead complex discussions and initiatives.

As a Black woman - the first women of an ethnically minoritised background to become General Assembly Moderator in the URC, I bring a strong commitment to diversity and empowerment. My advocacy for racial justice within the URC and my role in Cascades of Grace, an initiative empowering minoritised women, underscore this commitment.

My curiosity about the triune nature of God, coupled with my background in community education and development, ministry formation, and anti-racism training, highlights my dedication to theological ecumenism and fostering an intercultural church environment. My academic work, including a thesis on intercultural inclusion, remains central to my ethos.

As an Associate Tutor in Womanist Practical Theology at Westminster College and a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of Practical Theology and the International Journal of Black Theology, I engage in scholarly discussions that bridge theory and practice. My pastoral service and community engagement further exemplify this commitment.

My upbringing in Trinidad and Tobago, which included attending Roman Catholic and Methodist churches and participating in Anglican and Pentecostal denominational activities, has shaped my approach to faith and diversity. This background, combined with proven presentation skills and the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences, equips me to represent and collaborate within the Free Churches Group leadership.

I am confident that my vision, experience, and commitment to ecumenical networking, justice, and empowerment have prepared me well for this role. I look forward to contributing to the Free Churches Group and furthering our impact on communities and society.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Free Churches in England and Wales.  

Tessa

Schools Work Conference on 3rd September 2024

The Schools Work Conference is back, and we are excited to host it at The Flame Community Church!

This conference brings together Christians involved in schools mission or those considering joining this essential work. It inspires and equips youth workers by building their understanding, knowledge, and skills, ultimately helping them guide young people and children to meet Jesus.

We have a brilliant lineup of speakers:

• Phil Knox – Evangelical Alliance

• Joe Lowther – CEO of KICK and former headteacher

• Mark Arnold – Urban Saints

• Amelia Paynter – Chroma Church

• Plus, a number of Youth for Christ staff

Seminar Topics:

• Working with Additional Needs Children and Young People

• The Significance of Facilitating Friendship in Schools Mission

• Engaging the Disengaged

• Issues Facing Schools Today

• From School to Church

For more information and to book your place, please click HERE.

If you have any inquiries, please email us at yfc@yfc.co.uk.

General Election Resource

A resource to help you think through some of the key issues in education and to encourage you to consider how you would like to see our next Government approach them.