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- Response to the Spring Statement March 27, 2025 11:58 am
JPIT’s Paul Morrison responds to the Spring Statement 2025 Poverty and inequality in the UK are on track to increase. Rather than addressing these concerning trends, which cause so much harm to people’s lives, the measures announced in this Spring Statement will exacerbate them. The international outlook is more volatile than a few months ago, and the Statement confirmed the removal of money from the long-term work of international development, that can build peace and real security and instead reallocate it to warfighting capabilities. The Statement did include some welcome investments, especially in housing, but overall, it was not good news for those concerned about poverty or peace. Directly increasing poverty The government estimates that its changes to disability benefits will directly increase the number of people experiencing poverty by 250,000, including 50,000 children. Other analysis suggests that interactions with other benefits will further increase that number, and just as importantly, the changes will push many people already experiencing poverty further down. Almost 1 in 5 people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits used a foodbank last month, with more than double that number regularly skipping meals to make ends meet. It is incontrovertible that people with a disability are much more likely to face poverty, hunger and deep hardship than the rest of society. The health element of Universal Credit is being halved for new claimants and cut more slowly for existing claimants. This benefit is for those living on a low income where someone has a condition that limits the amount of work they can do. Importantly many are in work but earning a low income. This will affect around 3 million families. Personal Independence Payments, the benefit that supports people with the additional costs of living with a disability, is being made more difficult to attain. Around 800,000 people, mainly on low incomes, will lose between £4,200 and £6,300 a year. The experience of church-based advice centres is that too many people who need PIP are not getting it, and that the scoring and assessment system is already harsh and sometimes arbitrary. These changes move things in the wrong direction. Disability and employment support The government is providing additional support to help people into work, which is welcome, however neither the Office of Budgetary Responsibility nor the government has produced any indication of what impact this will have on employment or poverty. “Get more people into work” makes for a popular and easy soundbite to soften the announcement of benefit cuts, but there is a huge body of evidence – including a recent analysis by Action for Children – to show that improving employment outcomes is slow, expensive and difficult. Defence and international development Church leaders have already responded with lament to the cutting of the international development budget to pay for increased defence spending. The Spring Statement made much of increased defence spending and arms exports being a source of economic growth. The aspiration to increase defence spending further to 3% of GDP featured highly, while the prior commitment to return the aid budget to 0.7% of GDP was absent. Again, we regret that our nation’s responsibilities to the world’s poorest communities appear to have been forgotten. Invest to bring about change The Spring Statement included additional investment in a number of areas of work: to reduce fraud in the tax system, to reduce benefit overpayments including fraud[i][SM1] , and to increase departmental efficiency. The Chancellor’s spending rules mean that spending on these investments is counted differently against borrowing from day-to-day government spending. It is to be welcomed that the Chancellor recognises that to achieve positive results, investment is often needed. Over the weekend, 35 senior faith leaders – including leaders from the denominations in JPIT – called for the government to invest in the UK’s children and be bold and ambitious when designing its imminent Child Poverty Strategy. Our children need to be invested in if they are to reach their potential, as do people with disabilities, as does the long-term work of building human security around the globe. Although trumpeted as being about delivering security, this Spring Statement did not deliver the investment that is needed to bring about positive change in these vital areas. [i] I would note that every pound spent on reducing tax fraud gets more than twice the return of a pound spent on tackling benefit fraud. p14 -21 of treasury policy costings Source
- Faith leaders call for bold action on child poverty March 23, 2025 12:01 am
Senior Faith leaders from across the country are joining forces today (Sunday 23 March 2025) in an urgent call for the government to be ‘bold and ambitious’ in its forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy. The call comes in an open letter to the co-chairs of the Ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce, Bridget Philipson, Secretary of State for Education, and Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions The letter is signed by 35 senior faith leaders from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist traditions, including representatives of the Baptist Union, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, and the Church of Scotland. It was coordinated by the Joint Public Issues Team. Currently 4.3 million children – three in 10 children in the UK – are living in poverty, and without further action a further 400,000 are likely to be pulled into poverty by the end of the decade. The Prime Minister promised during the last election that his government would introduce an ambitious plan to lift ‘millions’ of children out of poverty. The letter says: “We write to you as faith leaders from communities across the UK, to encourage you to be bold and ambitious in your upcoming Child Poverty Strategy.” It goes on, “While we come from different faith traditions, we share a belief that working to end poverty should be a hallmark of any decent, compassionate society. We also believe that transformational change is possible. We are hopeful that the Child Poverty Strategy could be a turning point for the communities we serve, and we are ready to work in partnership with people of goodwill across society to ensure that every child has the start in life they deserve.” The letter highlights the findings from ‘Paying the Price’, a new report from Action for Children released this week, which sets out measures that could lift 1.2 million children out of poverty by 2030. These include action to reform and invest in a more effective social security system, and steps to boost social housing and improve opportunities for income from employment. The research found that the single most cost-effective step would be scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap. Revd Helen Cameron, President of the Methodist Conference, said: “The levels of child poverty we are seeing in communities across the UK cannot be acceptable. With communities trying to pick up the pieces and support families who are struggling, it’s time for the government to step up too. We know it is possible to significantly reduce child poverty, and a social security system that enables families to afford the essentials will be a central pillar. The government must demonstrate that tackling poverty is a priority and make ambitious choices. We pray that the government’s strategy will rise to the challenges we face.” Louise, a 24-year-old from London, faced poverty in childhood before going into foster care from the age of 11. She continues to struggle financially as a care-leaver, particularly as a young, single mum to her four-year-old daughter, battling child care expenses and the high cost of living. On the launch of Action for Children’s new research, she said: “The impact of growing up in poverty is huge. It affected me physically, mentally and emotionally. Not eating enough food as a child affects your health, weight and concentration. You feel angry and confused. A child can’t understand why they’re excluded from school trips with their friends, or why they don’t have new clothes. You feel different. I felt like I was being punished. I didn’t understand we just didn’t have the money. “As a care leaver, breaking the cycle of poverty and finding financial independence can be overwhelming and feel impossible at times. There are often barriers you don’t know how to overcome on your own as a young adult without the family support and guidance that others may take for granted. “As a mum, I want the best for my daughter and to give her opportunities I didn’t have. It is motivation, but it also brings its own pressures. Even though I worked as much as I could, before she went to school, I was in my overdraft every month and relying on Universal Credit just to pay for childcare so I could keep my job. That isn’t right. “I think there is more support needed not just for young people leaving care, but also for families with young children on low incomes, to help people stay in work, care for their children and thrive.” Action for Children is inviting people to add their support to an open letter and write to their MP about the Child Poverty Strategy here: https://actionforchildren.uk/PayingThePrice-Faith Read the letter and list of signatories in full. Source
- Repeatedly taking the easy choice on welfare March 14, 2025 11:34 am
JPIT’s Paul Morrison responds to potential disability benefit cuts. In the November 2024 budget the Chancellor decided to keep the last government’s £3bn of disability benefit cuts which were pencilled in for the next three years. This was called a “difficult decision”. Over the past week, the government was busily spinning that because “the world has changed” there are to be more difficult choices in the March 2025 financial statement. The world may have changed, but the difficult choice offered is remarkably similar – additional reductions in the living standards of the disabled. This time with cuts of between £2Bn and £7Bn. From an uncertain economy to certain hunger via “a difficult decision” The UK economy has not been healthy for some time and is not recovering as hoped. However, it is the problem of a “changing world” and global economic uncertainty that the government says it is responding to. Specifically, the Trump administration’s aggressively erratic trade and foreign policies have shaken the world’s economic outlook. The Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) must predict the major variables in the economy, such as inflation, interest rates, and house prices, alongside non-monetary variables including the levels of sickness and unemployment out to 2030. In normal times is a herculean task of skill, luck and faith – and these aren’t normal times. Their best guess seems to be that the £10Bn planned room in the government budget in 2030 has gone – for context this is against a planned overall budget in excess of £1,420Bn[1]. Widespread uncertainty leads to negative but uncertain economic forecasts, which leads to “difficult choices”, which in turn leads to the certainty of cuts to the overall welfare budget, which will definitely result in some disabled people having lower incomes. As disabled people already have high rates of poverty, foodbank use and destitution, it is near certain that the proposed cuts will lead to more hunger. In the UK the number of people who are food insecure – or hungry – was at the last count 7.2m. You are right if you think it is profoundly unjust that the costs of the increased risks in the world are borne not by those who are gaining the most, or even those who actively profit from these risks, but by the weakest in our society and across the globe. A just political economy[2] could and should distribute these risks more equitably. Christians have an unashamed “preferential option for the poor”, but the series of beliefs and choices described above show a deeply embedded preferential option for the rich. Is it more difficult to take from the weak or the powerful? The unnamed government source briefed the BBC that further cuts to disability benefit were “politically painful”. Maybe. Rising global uncertainly has a price-tag and there is no politically painless way of dealing with it. However, placing the cost at the feet of the least well off, whose friends don’t own newspapers, who don’t provide enormous funds to think-tanks or political parties and are easily dismissed as “taking the mickey” looks a lot like the least painful option. Sensitive to cash, numb to people Indeed, it seems that our economy and institutions are set up in a way designed to numb us to the “painful decision” of placing burdens on the poorest. For example, spending implications of policy decisions are rigorously and publicly checked by the independent OBR before they ever see the light of day. They are then tested against “fiscal rules” which are designed to give the financial markets confidence in the management of the economy. The OBR was created because it was believed that without independent checks, government often chose to solve financial problems with “optimistic” predictions about the positive impacts of their policies. Today such “optimistic” predictions are looked at by the OBR, and we get to see their opinion. Typically cuts to social security are sold with the line “we will spend less money on supporting the poorest and we will then get less poverty”. Universal Credit, benefit sanctions and cuts to the main benefit supporting the sick and disabled were all sold on this premise. Usually, a story is told that cuts to benefits will “incentivise” work and thus reduce poverty, or that less people will need expensive benefit payments because of the introduction of cheap support programmes or by even cheaper threats and punishments. You won’t be surprised that none of these ways of taking money from the poorest have reduced poverty – indeed most didn’t even make their predicted financial savings, because the needs that went unmet reappeared as expensive problems elsewhere in government budgets. How could this happen? To quote a sermon by John Wesley, “one part of the world does not know what the other suffers. Many of them do not know, because they do not care to know: they keep out of the way of knowing it”. Take money from the poorest and they will become less poor? Perhaps the next time disability benefits are cut, government spokespeople will be up-front and say “we are cutting the budgets of disabled people, with the obvious consequences of increased poverty, hunger and worsening health and life chances”. However, I doubt it. What I expect is some version of the magical story which goes “take money away from the poorest and they will become less poor”. While there are undoubtedly some reforms that could have a positive impact, and there are definitely changes that could cut £2-7Bn, reforms that do both seem less plausible. This time such claims might be justified – maybe – but wouldn’t it be fantastic if before such claims could be made, the government had to run their “optimistic” predictions past an independent body, an equivalent of the OBR? Wouldn’t it be even better if that body included both the learned experience of policy professionals, social scientists and mathematical modellers, alongside people with lived experience of poverty, who are experts in how polices actually impact on people’s day to day […]
- Sustainable farming initiative suddenly suspended March 13, 2025 12:00 pm
In a guest blog, Sarah Hulme reports on the repercussions of a recent government decision to halt funding for sustainability initiatives on farms Without any warning, on 11 March, the government pulled the application process for a key environmental funding stream for farmers, saying the budget has been spent[1]. The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) was designed to help farmers transition towards sustainable and nature-friendly farming practices – growing food in ways that protect nature and reduce the impact caused by intensive farming – as a key part of the drive towards net zero. These changes require costly interventions and, with no instant fix, these need investment and security for the longer term if farmers are to make this transition. It had been a central strand of the post-Brexit farming payments system. Uncertainty was already placing a large strain on the agricultural industry, with forward planning and investment hard to make as it felt that government decisions kept shifting the goalposts.[2] Half the farm land in England now falls outside any kind of current scheme that rewards biodiversity or climate change mitigation, at a time where the State of Nature Report has found that the UK is ”one of the most nature depleted countries on earth.”[3] The Farmers Weekly describes the suspension of the scheme as “the cruellest betrayal”[4] for farmers already attempting to plan longer term whilst adapting to tax changes, factor in potential changes due to a land use consultation, and still facing accelerating cuts in ‘delinked payments’, another previously major funding scheme[5] – leaving many with a cash flow crisis. George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, says, “DEFRA’s decision to halt SFI represents failure on many levels… leading to many in the farming community feeling betrayed. The bigger failure we must also address for the long term is that the returns to primary producers from the marketplace do not provide a sustainable return for the risk, investment and effort employed by farmers and growers delivering great products alongside wider environmental services.”[6] Rev David Newlove, Methodist Superintendent Minister in North Cumbria Circuit and an agricultural chaplain, commented, “This leaves people high and dry. Farmers were encouraged under the new government to dream of better ways of farming, but now this appears not valued. The government are sleep walking us into a food crisis, leaving those on the margins unable to afford fresh food, forcing them to eat a diet of highly processed food, with associated health implications.” Bridget Down, a trustee of the Arthur Rank Centre, said, “As a farmer’s wife today I see the SFI application due to be sent later this week lying dormant on the desk. The plans are redundant, the dreams we were asked to dream lay torn. But in the ground the seed hasn’t been sown, the calves not bought! So what are we meant to do for the coming year to compensate the loss? My main concern is the upset on already vulnerable bank accounts, minds and hope… a devastating day! Food security will impact those living on the edge of destitution hardest.” How does this latest news impact anyone not directly connected with agriculture? Why should we care? Other than the obvious issues of injustice, what might the knock-on effects be for the wider population? At the very least, we should be praying for those currently reeling from this latest announcement, for their health and well-being. Checking in with those we are connected with in our rural communities and showing our concern. As Christians who care about the flourishing of all creation, this needs our attention. Tom Bradshaw, the Chair of the National Farmers’ Union, has observed, “The awful dilemma now faced by many farmers is whether to turn their backs on environmental work and just farm as hard as they can to survive. This is a loss to both farming and the environment and cannot be what was intended.” Sarah Hulme is the Methodist Rural Mission & Ministry Officer [1] An update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive – Farming [2] NFU responds to sudden closure of SFI24 applications – NFUonline [3] State of Nature 2023 – report on the UK’s current biodiversity [4] ‘Cruellest betrayal’ as Defra halts new SFI applications – Farmers Weekly [5] Further information announced on delinked payments in 2025 | AHDB [6] TFA Media Release MR 25/07 – TFA Reaction: DEFRA’s Decision to Halt SFI Represents Failure on Many Levels Source
- West Kirby toddler group celebrates 30 years of joy March 11, 2025 11:57 am
West Kirby United Reformed Church has celebrated three decades of its beloved toddler group with a special event. Families past and present joined the festivities, which included a joyful service, birthday cake, and bouncy castles. The church has been running two toddler group sessions every Friday, along with a monthly dads’ group since 1995, creating a welcoming space for countless families to connect, play, and grow. “The toddler group is run entirely by an incredible team of volunteers—some of whom have been with us for all 30 years. Over the past few years, we have been delighted to welcome the second generation of some families to the toddler group, and new families are always welcome to join us too,” said Kath Hilborne, Church Life Co-Ordinator. “I can go into the local shops with flyers promoting other events at the church and people will say ‘that’s the toddler group church’, or even ‘that’s my church’ because they have been a part of the toddler group, and the church are thankful grateful to the toddler group team who create such a legacy of God’s love in our local community.” The church celebrated the 30th anniversary at the end of January. Every week brings something new and exciting for little ones, with creative themes that spark their imaginations. Children can enjoy a wide range of activities, from arts and crafts in the craft room to dressing up in costumes or prepare a meal in the home corner. Active play thrives in the main hall, where ride-on toys and open space let kids explore, while stories, puzzles, play-doh, and a cozy, carpeted area for babies ensure there’s something for everyone—no matter where they are in their toddler journey. Jenny Usher who has volunteered with the group for the whole 30 years said an average day will see 70 children with 70 parents, carers and grandparents. “There is often a queue at the door six deep, occasionally longer,” she said. “We hope by running an excellent playgroup we can show our community the love and grace of Jesus.” Source
- Woking URC celebrates 20 years March 11, 2025 11:19 am
One of the URC’s largest churches, Woking United Reformed Church, celebrated its 20th anniversary last month. The service was lead by the Revd Lucy Brierley, and the address was given by the General Secretary of the URC, the Revd Dr John Bradbury. The 20th anniversary of Woking URC was marked by a Communion Service on 2 February. The packed church enjoyed a celebratory service followed by a huge buffet, provided by members and volunteers of the church, which filled the central aisle of the sanctuary. The former St Andrew’s URC and York Road URC joined to become Woking URC in 2005, and the church has been on a significant journey of growth, and engagement with the wider town since. The Revd Lucy Brierley, minister of the church since November 2005, said that one of the most notable parts of the church’s story was the redevelopment that took place from 2009-2010, allowing the church to transform its building into “a place of warmth and welcome for our local community. This was the catalyst to become a place of welcome and hospitality with the strap line ‘Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey you are welcome here’.” Over the years, Woking URC has offered free coffee and bacon rolls to early morning commuters, put on ice rinks, funfairs and petting farm events, alongside hosting a Covid vaccination hub, other community and charity events alongside the usual activities of worship, youthwork and fellowship that make up the worshipping life of the church. “I became minister of Woking URC within a year of the union,” said Lucy, “… and have had the privilege of walking alongside so many individuals and families over the past 20 years. Many of the young people I see in the congregation on a Sunday morning were born and grew up within the church, including my own four children. “It’s been quite the journey – sometime marked by challenges and sadness, but more often marked by the joy and adventure of following Jesus together. It has certainly never been boring!” The anniversary service was joyful and included participation from all-ages, including a video montage of photos from the past 20 years that gave an overview of the journey of the church. This included milestones such as the 15 months spent worshipping off-site during the redevelopment project, memories of ‘All Nation’ events, much-loved ‘donkey services’ (where a live donkey comes in for Palm Sunday), church weekends away, puppet shows, online services during the Covid lockdown, and reflections from its young people on what it means to be part of the church. Many longstanding members of the congregation found it moving to be reminded of the journey the church, and many newer members learned a great deal more about its history. The Bible readings were read out by the longest-serving member of the church and the newest. Lucy continues: “For me, the best thing about the day was seeing all ages together sharing faith and food. It was a day of building up the church and committing ourselves to the Spirit led journey ahead.” The sermon, delivered by URC General Secretary John Bradbury, used Luke 2: 22-40 as the Bible passage. “The weaving of his account of the Jesus story hangs heavy with a dark cloud. ‘In those days a decree went out from Emperor August that all the world should be registered’. What power and might is this that one human being can issue a decree and the whole world jumps – or at least sets off to the place where they are to be registered? “We may not have an Emperor who can command the whole world to be registered. We have those who, however, through a single Tweet or an executive order can make what feels like the whole world jump in either consternation or delight. The so-called Holy Land is still a place of occupation, strife and fear – for all its peoples, Jew and Palestinian alike. “I pray that whatever unexpected turn of events the next 20 years brings, there will still be faithful people here, following the baby in Simeon’s arms, and naming as truth the one who stands before Pilate. “Let us follow faithfully, and let us proclaim that light and salvation here in Woking, and to the ends of the earth.” Read the sermon in full. Andy Jackson serves as Head of Communications for the URC. Source
- URC Youth Assembly 2025: All are welcome March 10, 2025 2:49 pm
Ninety-five young people gathered for a weekend of fun, faith and fellowship at Youth Assembly 2025. At the event, held from 7-9 March at Kings Park Conference Centre in Northampton and themed “All are welcome”, Maya Withall was inducted as the Youth Assembly Moderator for 2025-26 and Kacie Hodgson was elected as Moderator-Elect. In a well-received keynote presentation Dr Lisa Adjei, Head of Racial Justice Priority for the Church of England’s Diocese of London, urged Assembly members to shift their thinking from “welcome for all” to “belonging for all”. She said “belonging” means we are all accepted as we are and “can each bring something of ourselves to the table”. The Moderator of General Assembly, the Revd Tim Meadows, led in worship and offered a challenge to ask not “Who is my neighbour?” but, rather, “Are we going to be the neighbour? Are we going to be that welcome?” Other highlights included workshops that covered topics such as refugees, faith on social media, and vocation and call. A guided session also enabled members to highlight issues important to them. Two motions were discussed by Assembly. A review of Youth Assembly Executive structures recommended dividing Executive responsibilities into three areas; a representation task group (to include reps to General Assembly), a Youth Assembly planning team; and a synod reps task group. The aim is to reduce the time commitment for individual executive members and to encourage greater participation. The proposals were accepted, initially on a one-year trial basis. A robust debate followed a proposal to encourage local churches to sign up to the Welcome Directory, which supports prison leavers with rejoining faith communities. The Directory is an independent multi-faith charity that lists faith communities welcoming and accepting of former prisoners. Issues of safety, safeguarding procedures and logistics were addressed. Youth Assembly accepted the proposal and asked Mission Committee, with the help of URC Youth, to bring a resolution to General Assembly to support this. Youth Assembly is for all young people associated with the United Reformed Church in any way between the age range of Year 10 (England and Wales)/S3 (Scotland) up to and including those aged 25. Each year the URC Youth Assembly brings together young people together from across Scotland, England and Wales for a weekend of business and fun combined, to explore issues and topics relevant to Church, society and life through workshops, seminars, discussions and creative activities. It is a weekend to have your say, make friends and find fellowship. Learn more about Youth Assembly. Source
- Hinckley church opens a home for the homeless March 6, 2025 3:22 pm
Members of a Leicestershire church are taking a bold stand against homelessness by offering a real home and genuine friendship to those in need. In February, Hinckley United Reformed Church in East Midlands Synod partnered with national, award-winning charity Hope into Action (HIA) to provide a home to two homeless people. The church’s involvement began when one of its former Elders, Karen Jones, attended a concert in Norwich which was raising funds for HIA and was impressed by how the charity involves the tenants in their own success. “If we all do a little, a great deal can be achieved,” said Karen. “If we all think we can’t do anything then nothing will be done.” HIA is underpinned by a Christian faith that believes the Church can respond effectively to three forms poverty: resources, relationships, and identity. It works when the charity sources investors to buy a property, who retain ownership and lease it to HIA for five years. HIA turns the property into a home and partners with a church to join it in its efforts in providing prayer, friendship and community. [embedded content] “Demands are made on the tenant that they pay rent, enter into an agreement. If there’s a breach which can’t be resolved, they can end up back on the streets but they can apply again,” said Karen. “It was refreshing because the tenants weren’t told ‘here’s a house get on with it’. It was also refreshing in that the churches provide support and friendship, and the charity provides a key member of staff that support tenants with what challenges they have. “The tenants have all sorts of problems, financial, family, illness, mental, drug/alcohol abuse but the key worker goes in once a week to provide them with the key skills that they need to live independently.” There are a variety of service agreements on offer, Hinckley chose to furnish the house and provide friendship and a support group for the tenants. Initially, Karen tried to encourage the church she was attending in Norwich to take part but was unsuccessful. She then moved to the Midlands and began attending Hinckley URC, which on Mondays, invites guest speakers and people to listen to talks. Karen went along one week and the guest speaker that day was from a nearby town where churches were opening their doors to homeless people, providing cots for the night and breakfast. Karen began speaking to Hinckley’s church secretary, Tony Wallace, about how worthwhile the project was but it did not stop homeless people from returning to the streets. “It didn’t resolve anything,” said Karen. “The church secretary agreed, and he invited the charity to give a presentation to our church. Despite his best efforts, progress was slow and he asked me to take over shortly before he died. Karen says it took some time for her to persuade her church that the project is one they would want to take up. Understandably, at the age of 75, Karen is one of the youngest people attending Hinckley URC so members were unsure about getting involved. “There were lots of discussions going on and last year our church meeting agreed it was a project to get involved with,” she said. “They knew where I was coming from and knew that it would be challenging but that we could do. It took patience, persuasion and a bit of arm twisting.” Once HIA were informed of the church’s decision, a two-bed property was purchased and in February, two tenants were lined up to move into the premises. Karen explains: “One person has moved in. We had two lined up, but one got cold feet and is living in their vehicle. They just couldn’t face living in a house again. These people have problems that we couldn’t even dream about.” On how she feels getting the project off the ground, Karen shares that she did experience low points. “I very nearly gave in,” she said. “As we’ve just lost our minister, and we’re grieved he was stolen**. He [the Revd Andrew Mudharara] just said to me one day, ‘I’m right behind you’. And if he hadn’t of said that, at that particular time, I might have given up. but it encouraged me. The project just needs people to understand that we can do something.” The tenant will reside in the house for two years, after which Karen hopes new tenants will move in; the previous having successfully moved onto independent living. Karen believes that Hinckley URC is the first church within the denomination to partner with Hope into Action. John Kuhrt, HIA CEO, said: “Hope into Action’s model of addressing homelessness has the church at its very heart. Every house we open (and at the time of writing we have 122) is partnered with a local church. Hope into Action provide the professional support to tenants but churches offer friendship and community which is what makes our model distinctive. We are so pleased to see Hinkley URC involved and welcomed into the HiA family.” “Then you never know what happens,” adds Karen. “That person can go on to help others. All of us go through life and every now and then it goes pearshaped and someone comes along and says take my hand. It’s important. I’m 75 and I can look at various stages of life where’ve I’ve sunk into a gloom and have been helped.” **The Revd Andrew Mudharara has been found, alive and well and serving at local United Reformed Churches in Eastern Synod. He said: “I’m really pleased that the project has started and that there’s a tenant in the property. It’s great that the church is able to provide support and members can excel in their ministry, flourishing their gifts.” To learn more about Hope into Action, see https://www.hopeintoaction.org.uk/. Hinckley URC meets every Sunday at 10.45am. Learn more about Hinckley URC. Source
- Around the URC in seven days: 1-7 March 2025 March 6, 2025 2:31 pm
A round-up of news from across the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 1-7 March 2025. Wessex Synod The Salisbury community was out in force on Shrove Tuesday for the town’s popular pancake race. Two members of Salisbury URC – Harvey Baird, Church Secretary, and Tamsin Vallance, Assistant Treasurer – took part in the annual event, which was organised by and raised money for Salisbury Foodbank. Fiona Crowther, a Salisbury URC Elder, said: “They both did really well but were just pipped at the final post. Tamsin was leading her heat then unfortunately dropped her pancake at the final flip.” Local businesses and organisations which also took part included Wiltshire Police, the local Barclays Bank and Salisbury City Council but it was staff from Richmond Bell Architects who claimed first and second place and a member of Salisbury Cathedral coming in third. Yorkshire Synod A much-deserved round of applause goes to Otley Bridge Church’s Treasurer, Andrew Howard, who has stepped down from the position that he has held for a whopping 35 years. At the church’s annual general meeting, held last month, the Revd Jason McCullagh paid tribute for Andrew’s years of dedicated service and thanked him on behalf if the church. Jason also presented a gift from members, and flowers to Anne, Andrew’s wife. Andrew also stepped down as a serving Elder, a role he had carried out for more than 50 years. Also at Otley, Joan Wiseman, who reached her 100th birthday in October, celebrated the 80th anniversary of her becoming a member of the then Otley Congregational Church. She was presented with a certificate to mark the occasion. Southern Synod St Andrew’s Brockley recently welcomed 18 people into the membership including two retired ministers. The Revd John Grundy, Minister of St Andrew’s Brockley, said: “This has been a real visible sign of the good work the church does to be welcoming, open and connected to the community that we serve.” The service today was followed by a much-enjoyed buffet of Caribbean food. North Western Synod Congratulations to Worsley Road URC in Swinton which has worked hard to receive A Rocha UK’s Silver Eco Church Award. Across North Western, St Andrew & St George in Bolton, celebrated the ordination of Elizabeth, a new Elder. And Olivia was ordained an Elder at Albion URC in Ashton-under-Lyne. Source
- CCME celebrates 60th anniversary March 6, 2025 7:30 am
Congratulations to the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Six decades of the organisation’s work was reflected at a conference themed “Beyond Borders” the Evangelische Akademie Frankfurt in December. The event brought together leaders, theologians, migration practicitioners and ecumenical partners. The United Reformed Church, which shares a valuable partnership with CCME in striving to follow the biblical instruction to “welcome the stranger”, was represented by John East, Chair of Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise based at Central United Reformed Church in Darwen in the North Western Synod. Here, John reflects on the event: The future of migration is top of the political debate in many countries, including recent policies in the UK to “stop the boats” or “smash the gangs”. As Europe and America rattle with yet more hostility towards migration, we gathered both to celebrate and review how Christian communities across Europe are striving to meet the needs of asylum seekers and refugees, despite aggressive, negative policies imposed by a growing number of European countries. In her opening remarks, Fiona Kendall, CCME Moderator, welcomed delegates while emphasising the message of Christ was always to welcome the stranger and love your neighbour as yourself. We heard stories and presentations from all over Europe of how groups of Christians are lobbying for justice, human rights and against injustice. Screenshot It was edifying to listen to the passion of these contributions. Here was a gathering of people determined to live out the gospel, even though it often seemed like an uphill battle as they wrestled with national policies. Injustice and humans rights abuse need to be challenged. Larissa Franz, from Caritas Finland, shared that “the closure of the Eastern border, which stretches for 1,300km, seriously jeopardises the right to seek asylum. This is contrary to international law and our constitution. The reception of migrants and refugees is critical in Europe, requiring a balance of humanitarian obligations and social integration.” This is a challenge to us also in the UK, particularly if our political leaders are inspired to follow the current United States migration policy. The highlight of my time at the conference was a visit to a local church that supports migrants in a very positive way. Despite financial strains, the Evangelisches Zentrum Am Weißen Stein works most days providing asylum seekers and refugees a lifeline of hope. It provides counselling and therapy for refugees, social and migration advice and a mentoring programme over three sites as part of the Lutheran Mission to the community. It reminded me of the mission I support in Darwen and encouraged me that although churches may feel it is an uphill battle against hostile government policies, our essential work continues despite fear, opposition and misinformation. As the conference came to a close, our time of corporate worship centred on asking God to give us the strength to fight injustice, anti-migration rhetoric and policies and indeed to encourage all of Europe to welcome the stranger and adopt a more Christ-like and humanitarian approach – it’s people, not borders, we must protect. John East is a non-serving Elder and lay preacher in the East Lancashire Mission Partnership. Source
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