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General Assembly Moderator

The moderator of the General Assembly is the national figurehead for the denomination, representing the United Reformed Church both internally and within the wider world. The moderator chairs major meetings, visits churches at home and abroad, and seeks to provide worship, teaching and pastoral care.

From Assembly 2023 our moderator is the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson.

On this page, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, writes and reflects on the things she does, places she visits, people she meets, and moments/events in the life of the United Reformed Church and beyond during her time in office.

If you would like to invite a moderator to visit your church or meeting, please email us.

Moderator’s Diary: June 2024

Following a preaching engagement at Banstead URC, Surrey, on 9 June, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson will attend the quadrennial Council for World Mission Assembly (12-19 June) in Durban, South Africa. Tessa has been invited to preach at the Assembly’s Sunday public worship service on Sunday 16 June. The theme of the Assembly (and of Tessa’s sermon) is ‘Rise to Life: Together in Transformation’.

Moderator’s Blog

CWM Assembly 2024: GA Moderator reflects on The Day of the African Child

On 17 June, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of the URC General Assembly, reflected on The International Day of the African Child in a sermon delivered at CWM Assembly 2024 on 16 June. The day is in memory of...
Jamaican government Minister accepts URC’s apology for its role in transatlantic slavery

Sermon from Hope United Church in Jamaica

During the ecumenical pilgrimage to Jamaica earlier this month, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson was invited to deliver a sermon. The following is a transcript of that sermon. Greetings to you all here at Hope United Church and happy 64th...

Ceasefire in Gaza now urges Moderator

In this blog, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson reflects on how 2024 sadly begins with a focus on the Israel Gaza war and calls for an immediate ceasefire.   “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up...

Introducing the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, General Assembly Moderator 2023-2024

In this blog, Tessa introduces herself and outlines her aspirations for her moderatorial year: Friends, I am Tessa Henry-Robinson – Minister of the Word and Sacraments in a four-congregation pastorate in Thames North Synod. I am the present Moderator of...

Introducing the General Assembly Chaplains 2023-2024

The Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson made history at the 2023 United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly when she was inducted as its first Black and ethnically-minoritised woman Moderator. In her first blog, Tessa introduces her Chaplains, Karen Campbell, Secretary for...
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Previous Moderator’s Blogs

Read a selection of posts from previous Moderators of the United Reformed Church.

Lambeth Conference and small steps toward affirming LGBTQI+

Convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference is an opportunity  for Anglican Bishops...

Remaining grateful together though apart

From 29-31 January, the Revd Clare Downing, Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) General...

Prepare for new fruit this Advent

Peter Pay, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, explains why the fig tree...

Let’s thank seen and unseen people

The Revd Clare Downing reflects on contrasting experiences in November, highlighting the value of behind-the-scenes...

Being nurtured

Peter Pay gives thanks for local church communities, and their nurturing work. I was due...

My learning journey

In her first blog post as General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Clare Downing shares new...

Virtual lives

In his first blog, Peter Pay, who was inducted as a Moderator of the United...

Jubilate Deo

In his last blog post as General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Nigel Uden reflects on...

Looking back, and forward

In his last blog post as Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, Derek...

Bernard Thorogood: His reputation, influence and legacy

The Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, reflects on the...

Focus hearts and minds on valuing God’s gifts

Inspired by Young people, Derek Estill, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, encourages...

Green shoots of spring

Squelching around the manse lawn late in February, I noticed various green shoots of spring...

Remembering to Stand Together

Each year, on 27 January, the nation comes together to remember the Holocaust and the...

Spirit of Windrush: Contributions to Multicultural Britain

John Proctor and I were invited to the Spirit of Windrush thanksgiving service in Westminster...

Frustrated of Wakefield

I’ve got a problem, and I think it is particularly with the United Reformed Church...

URC’s Most Northerly Church

At the end of June, I spent a few days visiting our most northerly church:...

Presbyterian Church of Wales General Assembly

I have recently returned from the annual General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Wales, held...

Dur-ham, Dur-ham, the home of the Pink Panther!

It is an old joke – where lives the pink panther – Durham, Durham! It...

A Lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son

The locals here call Wrenthorpe a village, although it has long since been but a...
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