Features for 2021

We all have some level of support network, whether we recognise it or not. Here’s an opportunity to look at your support network and consider ways to strengthen it. This may be especially relevant for those whose situation is changing or has recently changed.

If you are away from 'home' and have parents with needs, what are the challenges and issues that you have faced that you would have liked help with? Please fill in this survey, from Echoes International, as we are working together on some advice and resources for future publication on OSCAR.

CMS are holding an online day on 21st April exploring Pioneer Practice – sharing wisdom, struggles, stories and how it works on the ground. There will be multiple venues, an interactive labyrinth and prayer spaces, themed conversations, research findings, workshops, networking spaces – a place to meet friends old and new, to be inspired and encouraged.

OSCAR has a unique collection of children’s resources for children, youth and parents/teachers. These include mission themed resources, like the recently created ‘Stories of Hope’ from Latin Link.

As we emerge from the latest lockdown, job and opportunity listings have increased significantly, with over 70 submitted in the last week. Do keep any eye on our Opportunities section if you are looking for your next role in mission or ministry.

With the UK's latest influx of migrants potentially coming from Hong Kong, we have a renewed challenge to be hospitable and welcome the stranger into our communities and churches (when the restrictions allow). Connie Yu from Chinese Overseas Christian Mission gives us some great biblical and personal reasons why we should open our hearts and our homes.

The secondhand books market has benefitted hugely from online selling. The trouble is there are a huge number of secondhand booksellers. If only there was one search engine that covered the majority of them. Sylvia puts the case for secondhand books and tells us about such a search engine and how you might find books on some of those specialist subjects like mission. 

Whether you're in mission or ministry, good stewardship means you should have a good pension provision. We have updated OSCAR's pension section to help. This includes information, advice and resources for state, workplace and private pensions.

If you need to take out a new or change your existing travel insurance policy, many things have changed over the last year. There are also issues around coronavirus vaccinations and pre-existing medical conditions like long COVID symptoms. Check out OSCAR's travel insurance section for solutions.

OSCAR is 21 years old this month! This time last year, just before coronavirus hit, we celebrated our 20th birthday with a Mission Resources Exhibition and reception alongside the Midlands CRE in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. It seems like a different age! You can see a short video and read about the event at https://oscar.org.uk/mre and you can read about OSCAR's history and impact over the years via the link below.

Lockdown has highlighted that we need to be connected with others and how much we miss the active support of relationships. This works for organisations as well as individuals. This month's guest author, Steve Beegoo, encourages us to re-invest in our connections and support of others to rediscover the mutual benefit that we all crave.  

So what does it mean for a family who believe they should heed a call to go to  all nations with good news? What will it mean for a child in that family? For the first time, adult children of missionaries tell their stories in a new book dealing with joys, grief, faith, cultural adaptation and relationships. 

Over the next two months, Pioneers are hosting a series of five free webinars for those thinking about going into mission. You don't have to sign up with Pioneers but it will give you the chance to glean insight from staff and field workers in a large, dynamic mission organisation.

Staycations may be the only option for taking breaks and holidays over the next year. OSCAR has lots of good suggestions for places to stay geared for those in mission and ministry, both in the UK and around the world.

The OSCAR website currently receives around 140,000 page views per month from around 26,000 visitor sessions (2020 statistics). Our Website Sponsorship Scheme offers you a unique opportunity to sponsor part of this growing, mission specific website and reach out to this audience.

Caring for ourselves can seem selfish but if we don’t then we can’t sustainably serve those around. It also means that we’re at serious risk of burnout. Alex Hawke helps us think through what we can resolve to do this year to avoid one of the worst things that can happen to our work and ministry.

In the light of the current crisis, this free book will help you prepare for any future emergencies. If you haven't rewritten your personal or organisational risk assessment during COVID, then you probably should and this book will help think through the potential issues.

If you are concerned about how you might plan your travel and trips from now on, this page, on the 'Comparethemarket.com' website, about ATOL protection, highlights some of the key things to consider.

If you have returned from overseas in the last year and are struggling with the partial transition back to UK culture because of lockdown restrictions, this day course, run by OSCAR, will teach you the basics about making a healthy transition from one culture to another. It's also useful for those who want to understand and give care to those who have returned.

Our online job advertising prices are remaining the same for 2021. That includes both our individual listing and our package fees. As the most comprehensive, most viewed and most reasonably priced Christian jobs website in the UK, that makes us even better value than last year!