A round-up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days.
Young Leicester church member donates hair for charity
Upon learning that many children living with cancer lose their hair during treatment, nine-year-old Etta-Mae, from Abbots Road URC in Leicester, decided to do what she could to help.
Inspired by her cousin who had donated her hair, Etta-Mae began growing her hair in 2020 to do the same.
Over the next three years, Etta-Mae grew her hair as long as possible and when it measured 12 inches, had it cut and donated to the Little Princess Trust — a charity which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.
Etta-Mae said she “wanted to help little girls who are poorly and lose their hair because she can grow her hair again”.
“Well done to Etta-Mae,” said Charlotte Ferris, an Elder of Abbots Road.
“Her hair will put a big smile on another little girl’s face. We couldn’t be prouder of her. Etta-Mae has a huge kind heart and absolutely loves her new style and so do we.”
Skills hub opens at Bradford church
A new adult education hub designed to help residents improve their employment prospects has opened at Holme United Reformed Church in Bradford.
The Skills Hub will be run by Realise, a training provider, and is funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s adult education budget.
The initiative is designed to support people in Bradford and the surrounding areas to gain new skills that will help them out of unemployment and into a job, or out of low-paid work and into sustainable, long-term employment.
The hub will offer a range of courses from two classrooms and will be staffed throughout the week for people to call in for advice.
John Rider, Holme URC’s Local Leader, said: “We are so blessed to be able to accommodate the skills hub at our church and be able to support the people of Bradford and the surrounding areas to gain new skills in this way.
“The service is much needed, and we are sure that it will be of great benefit to the community, and we hope in turn people will get to know our church and members of our congregation.”
Courses will include English, maths, functional skills, digital skills, hair styling, adult social care, and a programme to attract new recruits for West Yorkshire Police’s contact centres.
Glastonbury URC award-winning garden
Glastonbury URC has been awarded a Bronze Award from A Rocha for its eco achievements.
Beginning their process in 2019, this recent award recognises the dedication of the congregation and the steps taken to care for creation. In the process, the garden has become a rich asset for the local community.
Paul Winter, one of the church’s eco team members, described the neighbourhood impact of their church garden.
“We had a successful growing season and invited visitors to freely harvest produce for their personal use,” Paul said. “Excess produce and that which was donated was also left on a help-yourself stall in the High Street courtyard fronting the church.”