Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee exists to support candidates, panels and all related subcommittees of the URC to discern the call to serve.
This new iteration of the Nominations Committee was formed following decisions made at the General Assembly of 2023 as part of the Church Life Review. The approach of the committee acknowledges the breadth of skills and understanding within the URC and seeks to utilise those talents that may have previously gone undiscovered. The aim is to engender a more inclusive culture within the framework of safer recruitment. The nominations committee will delegate more responsibility to the wider church committees; whilst overseeing the broader process of appointing new candidates to each of the General Assembly committees. Our brief is to support candidates, panels and all related subcommittees to discern the call to serve. We will ensure due process is followed beginning with role descriptions, advertising vacant positions, through to the appointment of each new volunteer committee member.
Meet the Committee
Victoria Blunt
I am Victoria Blunt and am the convenor of the Nominations Committee. I am a non-serving Elder at Newport Pagnell United Reformed Church. Outside of church I am Headteacher of two primary schools. I am looking forward to serving with this new iteration of the Nominations Committee and determining how we can enact the General Assembly resolution to support recruitment to committees through safer recruitment whilst also developing diversity across our committees.
Debs Brooks
I am Debs Brooks (she/her), I have worked in education and training for the last 27 years. I am a Primary School teacher; currently working with Reception children aged 4 to 5 years old. I live in Coulsdon, with my husband and Bobby the cat. I am a member of Yourchurch; the URC’s first online congregation. In my spare time I direct and perform with my local theatre group. My role is to oversee the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aspect of the Nominations Committee.
Laura Everard
My name is Laura, and I’m currently a Masters student studying Classics at Durham University. I am the URC Youth nominations champion, which means I both sit on Nominations committee, helping to oversee the recruitment process for the URC’s committees, and work with URC Youth to promote voluntary roles to young people across the denomination
Lisa McAvoy
My name is Lisa McAvoy and I’ve worked in the Northern Synod for the past four years and I’m also a long-standing member and Elder at St Columba’s URC in North Shields. I’m delighted to be part of the nominations committee. Prior to working in Northern Synod, I have many years of experience as a Human Resources Advisor and I hope to bring that knowledge to support the work of our URC committees and convenors to make sure we are following sound recruitment practices when making various appointment decisions. I’m looking forward to working with you.
Jenny Mills
Hello! My name is Jenny Mills and I am a Minister of the Word and Sacraments in the URC. My current role is as Deputy General Secretary for Discipleship. I live in Milton Keynes and am a member of Church Without Walls, a new church community that has developed over the past 10 years. I am notetaker for the Nominations Committee – ideal as my background before ministry was in teaching!
Andrew Mudharara
My name is Andrew Mudharara, born and bred in Zimbabwe. I am proud to have trained at Northern College in Contextual Theology, and am serving in a local pastorate.
- Download the Handbook – coming soon
- Download the FAQ (PDF | 693kb)
- Download the Who’s Who (PDF | 726kb)