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 2024 our moderator is the Revd Timothy Meadows.

On this page, the Revd Timothy Meadows, writes and reflects on the things he does, places he visits, people he meets, and moments/events in the life of the United Reformed Church and beyond during his time in office.

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

Moderator’s Diary: December 2024

In December, the Revd Tim Meadows will attend General Assembly Business Committee and, as usual, will preach at his own churches in Liverpool: Allerton URC and St Stephen’s URC, Wavertree. Tim will also preach at Wilmslow URC in Cheshire.

Moderator’s Blog

USA Election Red Blue Divide - Larisa from Pixabay

Reflections on America and the red-blue divide

10 December 2024

Prior to the election I was visiting my father in America. Like everyone else, I was perplexed why Trump and Harris were running neck and neck at the polls. The cost of living crisis is hitting the US. People see...

Revd Tim Meadows URC General Assembly Moderator

All in a Year – Tim Meadows, Moderator of General Assembly

26 July 2024

The moderatorial year of 2024-2025 has begun. I intend to start blogging under the title ALL IN A YEAR. My hope is that this year a discussion about ‘What does it mean to be a United Reformed Christian?’ will return...

Induction of the Revd Timothy Meadows as Moderator of the General Assembly, 2024-2025

19 July 2024

“Will you undertake to exercise your ministry in accordance with the statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church? “I will, and all these things I profess and promise in the power of the Holy Spirit.”...

Previous Moderator’s Blogs

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

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

20 June 2024

On 17 June, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of the URC General Assembly, reflected...

Jamaican government Minister accepts URC’s apology for its role in transatlantic slavery

Sermon from Hope United Church in Jamaica

15 May 2024

During the ecumenical pilgrimage to Jamaica earlier this month, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson was...

Ceasefire in Gaza now urges Moderator

16 January 2024

In this blog, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson reflects on how 2024 sadly begins with...

Lambeth Conference and small steps toward affirming LGBTQI+

8 August 2022

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

Remaining grateful together though apart

5 February 2021

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

Prepare for new fruit this Advent

18 December 2020

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

Let’s thank seen and unseen people

30 November 2020

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

Being nurtured

1 September 2020

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

My learning journey

11 August 2020

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

Virtual lives

29 July 2020

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

Jubilate Deo

8 July 2020

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

Looking back, and forward

16 June 2020

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

Bernard Thorogood: His reputation, influence and legacy

5 May 2020

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

Focus hearts and minds on valuing God’s gifts

16 March 2020

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

Green shoots of spring

2 March 2020

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

Remembering to Stand Together

17 February 2020

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

Spirit of Windrush: Contributions to Multicultural Britain

22 June 2018

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

Frustrated of Wakefield

12 February 2018

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

URC’s Most Northerly Church

2 August 2017

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

Presbyterian Church of Wales General Assembly

9 July 2017

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