A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days: 23-30 September.
East Midlands Synod
The summer saw 14 12-17-year-olds who meet at Abingdon Avenue URC, along with their leaders, spend a day at Rock UK’s Frontier Centre in Northamptonshire, a 122-acre instructed activity site of woodland, a river and lake for water sports.
The young people enjoyed activities such as paddleboarding, orienteering and kayaking whilst also making time for Bible study and creative prayer.
The day ended with the East Midlands CYDO, Richard Knott, leading the group through a time of worship before they all tucked into a BBQ together.
One of the young people commented: “I was worried knowing it would be a nine-hour day, but the time flew past. It was an awesome day.” while another asked “when can we do it again?”
The event was made possible through a £175 grant from the Discipleship Development Fund.
Learn more about the Discipleship Development Fund.
Mersey Synod
Two churches in the Warrington Pastorate, Thomas Risley and St John’s URC Warrington, have gained a Silver Eco Church Award from A Rocha UK.
St John’s URC Warrington won its Silver Eco Church Award in recognition of their efforts to care for God’s earth in “Worship and Teaching Management of Buildings and Land Community and Global Engagement Lifestyle”.
Helen Harvey, a member of the church, said: “We are over the moon. This is the culmination of much hard work over the last few years, following on from our bronze award in 2022.”
Thomas Risley URC’s award highlights how the church strives to be a beacon of God’s Kingdom through its all-age activities in the community, including litter picks with local schools, celebrating Earth Day and the Great British Spring Clean.
Thomas Risley URC’s Malcolm Ross said: “This award is encouraging, not just for our church, but something we can use to raise awareness with the groups that we engage with and work within our community.”
Yorkshire Synod
Congratulations to Herringthrope URC which has gained a Children and Youth Friendly Church award.
Megan Tillbrook, Yorkshire Synod CYDO+, who supported the church through the process said: “It was a joy to see, and hear, that many of the young people at the youth club had grown through the kids club, and that some were familiar to me through their attendance over the years at synod youth events. This speaks to the sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusivity that the children and youth team at Herringthorpe URC work hard to foster.”
Church House
Fifteen women Ministers from CWM partner churches in the Caribbean, Southern Africa and the Pacific were welcomed by the URC at Lumen earlier this month.
The visit to CWM Europe churches is the last phase for this cohort of CWM’s A New Face programme.
Lindsey Brown, the URC’s Evangelism & Ecumenical Officer, said: “It was a privilege to host them in London before they set off to visit other partner churches and projects around the country.
Among other things, their conversations will be around what access to leadership looks like in different contexts, particularly for women. We pray that they have an inspiring and fruitful adventure and look forward to seeing them again in a couple of weeks, at the end of their programme.”