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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’.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Previous Moderator’s Blogs
Read a selection of posts from previous Moderators of the United Reformed Church.
8 August 2022
Convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference is an opportunity for Anglican Bishops...
5 February 2021
From 29-31 January, the Revd Clare Downing, Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) General...
18 December 2020
Peter Pay, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, explains why the fig tree...
30 November 2020
The Revd Clare Downing reflects on contrasting experiences in November, highlighting the value of behind-the-scenes...
1 September 2020
Peter Pay gives thanks for local church communities, and their nurturing work. I was due...
11 August 2020
In her first blog post as General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Clare Downing shares new...
29 July 2020
In his first blog, Peter Pay, who was inducted as a Moderator of the United...
8 July 2020
In his last blog post as General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Nigel Uden reflects on...
16 June 2020
In his last blog post as Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, Derek...
5 May 2020
The Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, reflects on the...
16 March 2020
Inspired by Young people, Derek Estill, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, encourages...
2 March 2020
Squelching around the manse lawn late in February, I noticed various green shoots of spring...
17 February 2020
Each year, on 27 January, the nation comes together to remember the Holocaust and the...
22 June 2018
John Proctor and I were invited to the Spirit of Windrush thanksgiving service in Westminster...
12 February 2018
I’ve got a problem, and I think it is particularly with the United Reformed Church...
2 August 2017
At the end of June, I spent a few days visiting our most northerly church:...
9 July 2017
I have recently returned from the annual General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Wales, held...
27 June 2017
It is an old joke – where lives the pink panther – Durham, Durham! It...
26 August 2016
The locals here call Wrenthorpe a village, although it has long since been but a...
