A round-up of news from around the United Reformed Church from the past seven days: 17-24 October.
West Midlands Synod
A big thank you to Broadway URC congregation members who contributed more than half of the funding to a tree project to mark the URC’s 50th anniversary.
Fifty trees have been planted for 50 years of the URC: three trees were planted in Haydon Park Wood, seven in the gardens of congregation members, one in Broadway Parish Council’s community space, and a further 39 in the Heart of England Forest which stretches up the Warwickshire/Worcestershire border, from the present-day borders of Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden, across the ancient Forest of Feckenham, and down to the edge of the Vale of Evesham – the north Cotswolds to south Birmingham.
Further thanks are given to Broadway URC Church Meeting which provided the remainder of costs.
This video explains more:
Southern Synod
West Thamesmead Community Church swelled with pride when Maurice Omorojie, one of the church’s community leaders, received the Paton College Prize for student excellence from Northern College. The church celebrated with a lovely lunch where delicious jollof rice and nana cake was service.
The Revd Sally Willett said: “Maurice is now in his second year of ministerial training, it is wonderful his dedication, faith and excellence is being recognised.”
Mersey Synod
Congratulations to West Kirby URC which has gained a silver Eco-Church award for its efforts in expressing care for God’s world in worship and teaching, eco-friendly buildings and land, engagement in community and global environmental campaigns, and for helping its congregation members become more eco-aware in their personal lifestyles.
Find out more here, www.wkurc.org.uk/eco-church.
The Revd Geoff Felton, Mersey Synod Moderator, the Revd Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the Revd Tony O’Brien, Dean of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral recently travelled to Cologne to meet church and community representatives as part of Liverpool city’s 70-year, historic twin link with Cologne.
The visit, which took place from 22-25 September, included visits to Cologne faith garden and Melanchthon Academy to consider the role of the church in promoting environmental sustainability.
The Liverpool party met civic and community representatives and took part in services in Cologne Cathedral.
Geoff said: “Now that we are no longer part of the EU this link is more vital than ever. The two cities have a great deal in common and face similar difficulties. Churches in both cities can provide hope and direction to those who question where we are headed in the long term.”