A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 25 August to 1 September.
East Midlands Synod
Wendy Hall, an Elder of Groby United Reformed Church, has become the Newbigin Pioneering Hub’s first Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer.
In August, Wendy was commissioned at her home church, Groby URC in Leicestershire, at a service presided by the East Midlands Synod Moderator, the Revd Geoffrey Clarke. The Revd Paull Elliss, Groby URC’s minister, led Communion.
To help celebrate Wendy, the Revd Dr Ash Barker, Newbigin Pioneering Hub lead, preached and interviewed Wendy about her sense of call to pioneering.
Wendy’s pioneering focus is the Under the Willow Tree community. Learn more about Wendy’s journey.
Yorkshire Synod
A wonderful morning was held at Stag Community Church (Herringthorpe URC) which recently celebrated the baptisms of four people at its café-style Sunday service. To add to the celebrations, two other people reaffirmed their baptismal vows, becoming church members.
And earlier during the summer, the Synod’s lay preachers and worship leaders gathered for their most recent conference at Wydale Hall near Scarborough. They were joined by Synod Moderator the Revd Jamie Kissack and special guest and main speaker Hannah Fytche from Westminster College in Cambridge who led the main sessions with faith and enthusiasm.
URC Youth
Three URC Youth members joined more than 700 young people at Le Grand Kiff, a youth camp run by the United Protestant Church of France.
Alongside friends from Normandy, Korede Kassim (Wales), Laurel Marsh (East Midlands) and Elliot Winterbottom (West Midlands) spent four days worshipping, debating, playing games and exploring the theme “Respire, Espere” (Breathe, Hope) with young people from across Europe and beyond.
Highlights included a radio interview, leading an open-mic with Shine Jesus Shine, dancing to live Christian rap, and making the most of both sunshine and their URC waterproofs. “It was overwhelming, fun, and sleepless,” they said, “but unforgettable. The theme song is still stuck in our heads!”
South Western Synod
Peter Redding, Mangotsfield and Castle Green URC’s church secretary has retired after 50 years’ service. Peter was presented with a card, a gift and a Certificate of Loyal and Devoted Service on 20 July by Elder Helen Wheeler. This recognised his retirement as church secretary on the approach to his 90th birthday. Peter has been an elder and church secretary for most of the last 50 years, firstly at Castle Green URC and then at Mangotsfield and Castle Green URC following the merger with Mangotsfield URC.
Peter’s wife Eileen received a bouquet of flowers for her contributions and support of Peter, and is currently fashioning a frame for the certificate.
Thames North Synod
Twenty-two children and young people enjoyed Grange Park URC’s fourth holiday club during the school summer holidays.
Hailing from the church and local community, the week was led by a dedicated team of teenage and young adult volunteers whose leadership and energy were central to the club’s success.
Following the Children’s and Youth theme “All are welcome,” sessions explored how communities can better include those affected by racism, disability, homelessness, climate change and conflict.
Afternoons brought fun trips to a trampoline park and bowling, alongside worship, songs and creative workshops. The week ended with a picnic and sports day, before families and the congregation joined a special Sunday showcase service.
National Synod of Wales
Early in during the summer, Horeb URC in Dyserth held a strawberry tea which raised more than £850 to support the worsening plight of the people living in the Shu’fat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem, Palestine.
Janet Hughes, Horeb URC’s Church Secretary said: “It was a splendid occasion, bringing together folk who want to support. Our thanks to Cindy Cromer for organising this event and to Gaynor Jones who has been involved with the Shu’fat camp for many years.”
