A selection of news and stories from churches and communities across the United Reformed Church.
Chaplain to the General Assembly Moderator
A unique craft project aiming to celebrate “the wonderful diversity of the whole Church” will be shared with every United Reformed Church congregation this autumn.
The “Ever Joyful” patchwork banner is the vision of the Revd Samantha Sheehan, chaplain to the General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Neil Thorogood. She hopes that the large, quilted artwork will contain 15 panels, made up of fabric squares from each congregation across the UK. Launching the initiative, Neil presented the very first square to the outgoing Moderator, Catriona Wheeler, at this year’s General Assembly, held in Swanwick, Derbyshire (pictured).
Packs, including the fabric squares, will be sent out in October with an invitation to decorate a single square with words or an image that reflects whatever “makes you joyful in the life of your congregation”.
Additional tips and information will be included, with a pre-addressed envelope for returning squares to Northern Synod Office by 1 December. It is hoped that the final artwork will first go on display at General Assembly 2027.
For more information, contact Samantha Sheehan [email protected]
Offices of General Assembly
The Revd Dr Phil Wall, the new Head of Ministries: Learning and Development, enjoyed a few days touring the UK — and beyond! — to learn about the incredible work our churches and chaplains are engaging with in very different contexts.
A day spent with Padre Stuart Turner MTh CF, chaplain to the famous ‘desert rats’, opened his eyes to the blessings and challenges of ministry in the armed forces, whilst his time on Holy Island with Special Category minister, Kay Blackwell, allowed him to learn from all that the ‘thin place’ had to offer…including the chance to swim with seals (can you spot one in the photo?).
His time with CRCW Fliss Barker and elders from Wooler URC saw him make a new acquaintance in Woolly the sheep, whilst some annual leave on the Isle of Man enabled him to catch up with ecumenical minister, Catherine McFie – seen here enjoying some rare Manx sunshine!
Visits to college chaplain, Carole Marsden, and minister of Word and Sacrament, Ruth Wilson, completed the set and gave him cause to give thanks to God for the breadth of ministries in the United Reformed Church.
Southern Synod
With thanks to and blessings from God, Trinity Church in Willingdon has welcomed, Derek, a new member into its congregation.
The Revd Memona Shahbaz said: “We pray that he will feel loved, supported and truly at home among us. May God richly bless him, strengthen him in faith, and use his gifts and talents to bring encouragement and blessing to others.”
Elsewhere across Southern
Trinity United Reformed Church in Wimbledon is working towards a Gold Eco Church award, building on its bronze accreditation in 2016 and subsequent silver award.
Led by church administrator and Green Group leader Elizabeth Scharinger, the church is taking action across worship and teaching, buildings and energy, land and nature, community engagement and lifestyle.
Among its initiatives are services dedicated to the environment, a prayer tree for the climate crisis, a NEST heating system to reduce energy use and Perspex fitted over the church’s windows to improve insulation. Its Mansel Road Centre uses LED lighting, recycles and has milk delivered in glass bottles. The centre also offers a reusable party kit for local events.
Trinity works with Sustainable Merton to host an annual eco winter pop-up market, promoting EcoLiving and Fairtrade products and hosting clothes swaps while raising funds for the charity.
Elizabeth said community engagement was an important part of the church’s environmental work, helping build local connections while responding to the impact of the climate crisis.
Commitment for Life
Many schools in parts of Africa operate without first aid kits, trained staff or reliable emergency response systems.
During his sabbatical, the Revd George Kalu received a grant from Commitment for Life and partnered with the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society to help change that reality.
With his wife Nnenna, George delivered seven first aid kits to church-related schools serving less privileged communities in Zimbabwe, where government funding is limited.
Eastern Synod
Basildon URC’s Buzz and Bloom toddler group celebrated nature and caring for the environment during the Great Big Green Week, held in early summer.
The toddlers spent the morning taking part in a variety of fun and educational activities including a mini bug hunt, leaf printing, and creating colourful nature-inspired artwork using leaves collected from around the garden.
To round off the day’s activities, the children enjoyed a teddy bears’ picnic, bringing together outdoor play, friendship, and a love of nature in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
North Western
There were cheers all round at Fairhaven URC, aka The White Church, after it won first prize in its category at the local “Club Day” procession.
“Building for the future” was the church’s theme. The congregation collected and creatively wrapped cereal boxes to make ‘bricks’, while two artistic members created the focal point of the display — a model of the church tower.
Members of the church and friends joined others to walk the 1.5-mile route through Lytham.