“When we originally planned the Prayer Spaces in Schools Day Conference we thought we might get 30 or so people along, but Prayer Spaces in Schools seems to be a movement that just keeps growing,” writes Tim Abbot from the PSS team.

“Between the pillars near the back of the room stretched a timeline listing all the prayer spaces in schools we know of that have happened since those first six back in 2008. Now running into hundreds it told, in a very visual way, the story of an exponential growth that has touched schools from Guernsey to Aberdeen, East Anglia to the west of Ireland.

And across the back were a few examples of prayer stations, including some using new downloadable mp3 tracks which should appear on the Prayer Spaces web site soon.

The main emphasis of the day was on sharing news, reflecting on good practice and looking ahead to ways in which this movement could develop. Chris Curtis of Youthscape spoke about the changing landscape of schools work and the growth of, and opportunities for, engagement with the spiritual agenda in education.  Then it was time for a few stories from around the country. Among the stories a head teacher spoke about how she imagined what would become one of the first prayer spaces in 2008, and we heard from a team who ran a prayer space as a follow on to 5 weeks of lessons all centred on the person of Jesus. What came through clearly was the relationship between practitioners and schools, and the utterly rooted and contextualised ways in which they had run a prayer space that connected with the needs of the school and of the pupils.

In the afternoon, after a few more stories, we ran three workshops; “How to run a prayer space“, “What next?” and “Theology and Values“. I was running the “What next?” session with Emily from LFIS where we discussed permanent prayer spaces, longer term involvement in the spiritual life of schools through various forms of chaplaincy, taking prayer spaces outside the classroom, and how to develop themes and activities when you’re running prayer spaces as frequently as once a term.

In a quick straw poll I did in one of the plenary sessions we learnt that about half of those attending had already run a prayer space, with others keen to get started. The majority of delegates work with state (non-faith) schools and there was a significant minority who had not been regularly working in schools prior to running, or planning to run, a prayer space. This suggests that there is the potential for considerable growth in the number of Christians supporting the spiritual development goals of schools through running prayer spaces and, if our afternoon workshop was anything to go by, other involvement in schools. In short, a new revolution in schools work.”

(Taken from Tim’s blog)

Keep checking our events list for future workshops and day conferences, or email info@prayerspacesinschools.com if you’d like to organise one where you are.

A few other comments;

“Thank you for a lovely day – I came back inspired to do more!” Jo-Ann, Bedford

“Thanks so much for the fantastic day on Wednesday. I felt privileged to be in such company.” Tricia, Watford

“I was challenged to really capitalise on the opportunities that are being presented as schools change and the educational landscape shifts, and to do what we can to be a part of the new “landscape.” Brad, Birmingham

“I expected to find the day really special and really encouraging. It was both of those things. All in all the day was over far too quick. I wanted to savour every minute and I loved the whole thing and would definitely come again.” Louise, Bradford

By the way… Tim Abbott leads CYO, a youth and schools ministry in Colchester, Essex and has been involved in schools work for quite a while. He is married, has two sons, and plays bass. Tim has organised three town-wide 24-7 prayer rooms, one in a vacant shop at Christmas. He likes starting new things and in 2007 dreamed up an idea that launched in July 2008 as Sanctum, a Prayer Space for schools in the Colchester area.