This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 18 May 2015. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
Catherine launches BeSpace.
A NEW initiative has been launched to give adults the chance to pause and pray in their workplaces, communities and anywhere else that prayer stations can be set up. BeSpace has grown out of Prayer Spaces for Schools, a national scheme that sees schools create special creative prayer spaces for children.
It has been arranged by Catherine Clayton, who gave up her teaching job in 2010 to dedicate her time to Prayer Spaces for Schools in Oxfordshire.
She now has a team of advisors working with her. Hundreds of people gathered at St Aldate's Church, Oxford, for the launch of BeSpace.
Watch a video of Catherine talking about the project here: The idea is to provide spaces for people in workplaces, community centres and other venues to have spaces where they can creatively pray or simply "be" regardless of their faith background. Tents are put up, with lava lamps, calming music and reflective activities, where people can relax and take time out of busy days. "BeSpace is about creating spaces to help people to pause, think, and perhaps consider God and who he might be," said Catherine, who stated that since it began in Oxfordshire, 63 schools have run prayer spaces with around 15,000 pupils participating. She said: "Of 284 schools in Oxfordshire, one fifth have had prayer spaces in the last five years and not just the Church of England schools.
It's great to share with you lots of statistics and numbers but it's also great to share the impact it's having on young people," she said.
Slides were shown, filled with prayers from children:"I want my Dad not just to say he'll be there always but to prove it. ""Help me to show my family love in hard times. ""I pray that I get noticed. ""Please help me be better at work in class and be more confident in myself. "A quote from a young person about how they felt when experiencing prayer spaces, stated: "While I was here I felt really relaxed and calm, away from the tension of reality. "Catherine said that she had noticed that after school, teachers and parents were using the prayer spaces.
From there the idea for BeSpace grew, culminating in the launch in May.
At the launch people were treated to drinks and nibbles as they heard from Catherine, a video message from the Acting Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, and an address from Phil Togwell, the national director of Prayer Spaces for Schools.
For more information or to get involved in BeSpace email info@bespace. be