A selection of news and stories from across the United Reformed Church.
Global and Intercultural Church
Advocates championing racial justice gathered at The Lumen in London on 15 June to shape the next phase of their work and renew their collective commitment. The meeting highlighted both strategy and impact, from plans for ongoing advocacy to updates from across the wider church.
Karen Campbell updated the meeting that she had been reappointed as Head of Global & Intercultural Church for a further five years, while inspiring stories were shared from local and global contexts — including a multicultural service in Northern Synod where language, liturgy, songs and shared food reflected the full diversity of the participants, and feedback from Council for World Mission initiatives in Malaysia (Deconstructing Racism, Reconstructing Justice) and Thailand (A Place of Refuge).
Together, the group affirmed the urgent and ongoing importance of racial justice within the life of the Church.
Evangelism and Ecumenism
Lindsey Brown, Head of Evangelism and Ecumenism, attended part of the Landessynode of the Evangelische Kirche der Pfalz in Speyer, Germany last week.
Most closely equivalent with the URC General Assembly, items on the agenda included updates from a major transformation project (part of a nationwide restructuring of the Protestant churches); innovative “blessing” projects which reach out into the margins of communities; and the painful decision to close a much-loved church school.
Pictured with Lindsey are pastors Pfarrer Martin Henninger, left, who will once again be representing the Pfalz Church at General Assembly 2026, and right, Anja Behrens, the new partnership link person, whose hospitality and translation were much appreciated.
Speyer is the birthplace of Protestantism, where in 1629 princes and states protested against the Holy Roman Emperor’s ban on Martin Luther’s teachings.
Lindsey said: “I was glad of the opportunity to visit the Memorial Church with its imposing statue of Luther and its remarkable windows and symbolism.”
West Midlands Synod
The Revd Steve Faber, Moderator of West Midlands Synod, has joined faith leaders in Birmingham in calling for peace.
In a joint statement, the leaders condemned racism ahead of a reported Britain First rally planned in the city for 20 June and called for peace across all communities.
“Our communities are better, richer and stronger when we include and serve all who live here, wherever they may come from,” said the leaders in the statement.
Along with Steve, the statement was signed by faith leaders from Birmingham Central Mosque, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue and the Church of England.
The full list of signatories is available here.
Thames North Synod
St Albans URC has welcomed its new minister, the Revd Naomi Young‑Rodas, with a special induction service attended by a full congregation.
Naomi will serve churches in St Albans, Luton and Dunstable as part of a wider team ministry across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Naomi, who previously served in Essex, said she hopes to help churches serve their communities and share God’s love.