A round-up of news from across the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 1-7 March 2025.
Wessex Synod
The Salisbury community was out in force on Shrove Tuesday for the town’s popular pancake race.
Two members of Salisbury URC – Harvey Baird, Church Secretary, and Tamsin Vallance, Assistant Treasurer – took part in the annual event, which was organised by and raised money for Salisbury Foodbank.
Fiona Crowther, a Salisbury URC Elder, said: “They both did really well but were just pipped at the final post. Tamsin was leading her heat then unfortunately dropped her pancake at the final flip.”
Local businesses and organisations which also took part included Wiltshire Police, the local Barclays Bank and Salisbury City Council but it was staff from Richmond Bell Architects who claimed first and second place and a member of Salisbury Cathedral coming in third.
Yorkshire Synod
A much-deserved round of applause goes to Otley Bridge Church’s Treasurer, Andrew Howard, who has stepped down from the position that he has held for a whopping 35 years.
At the church’s annual general meeting, held last month, the Revd Jason McCullagh paid tribute for Andrew’s years of dedicated service and thanked him on behalf if the church. Jason also presented a gift from members, and flowers to Anne, Andrew’s wife.
Andrew also stepped down as a serving Elder, a role he had carried out for more than 50 years.
Also at Otley, Joan Wiseman, who reached her 100th birthday in October, celebrated the 80th anniversary of her becoming a member of the then Otley Congregational Church. She was presented with a certificate to mark the occasion.
Southern Synod
St Andrew’s Brockley recently welcomed 18 people into the membership including two retired ministers.
The Revd John Grundy, Minister of St Andrew’s Brockley, said: “This has been a real visible sign of the good work the church does to be welcoming, open and connected to the community that we serve.”
The service today was followed by a much-enjoyed buffet of Caribbean food.
North Western Synod
Congratulations to Worsley Road URC in Swinton which has worked hard to receive A Rocha UK’s Silver Eco Church Award.
Across North Western, St Andrew & St George in Bolton, celebrated the ordination of Elizabeth, a new Elder.
And Olivia was ordained an Elder at Albion URC in Ashton-under-Lyne.
