A selection of news and stories from churches and communities across the United Reformed Church.
Thames North Synod
The Revd Elizabeth Welch, a former General Assembly Moderator (2001-2002), is undertaking a 60-mile walk this March to raise funds for Refugee Action.
So far, Elizabeth has completed 51 miles and is hoping to meet a fundraising target of £600.
Elizabeth said: “I feel so much for those who are refugees. My husband and I have hosted refugees over the past three years. I’ve been grateful for the generous donations my appeal has received so far.”
The former moderator has so far raised £400. If you would like to support Elizabeth’s fundraising efforts, see Elizabeth Welch is fundraising for Refugee Action
Yorkshire Synod
St Andrew’s Roundhay in Leeds is celebrating after reaching its fundraising target to repair its Clocktower.
When the clock stopped working a few months ago the congregation was told that it would take more than £15,000 to both repair the clock and fit a suppressor to the clock bell to silence the chimes at night.
Dismayed at the huge sum of money required, the church turned to its “amazing” community for help.
In February, the congregation launched an appeal to help save the clock with a special fundraiser at the church’s weekly Clocktower Community Café, open on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 12pm. Members of the church also delivered leaflets telling people more about the history and significance of the 118-year-old clocktower and set up a JustGiving page asking for donations.
The appeal met with resounding success with a total of £15,800 raised.
Heather Thomson, Treasurer for St Andrew’s Roundhay, said: “The community rallied round and we were supported by our local councillors and even BBC Radio Leeds! We are so grateful to our members, friends and neighbours for donating so generously. In addition, it has been heartwarming to hear people’s stories and discover how much the clock means to those within our local community. We feel incredibly blessed to have reached our fundraising target and can get our clock ticking again soon.”
Images: Jane Bunyan.
East Midlands Synod
East Midlands Synod ministers’ recently enjoyed a 24-hour retreat which began with a prayer beloved of Pope Francis “Jesus, make my heart more like yours”.
Held at Launde Abbey, the retreat was led by the Revd Dr Susan Durber who drew upon her personal journey with the 1700th anniversary celebration of the Council of Nicaea, addressing a central question “who do we say Jesus is for us?”
Susan combined deep challenge with accessibility and inspiration – including dramatic cameos in which each character, present at Nicaea, addressed and invited the group to ask questions of what it was like for members of the council in 325AD and those associated with them.
Participants left Launde encouraged to go on praying “Jesus, make my heart more like yours”.