A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 26 May to 2 June.
Eastern and Thames North Synod
More than 40 ministers and local leaders from Eastern and Thames North Synods recently gathered for the annual Spring School at Highgate House Conference Centre near Northampton.
This year’s theme was “Inter-related: Church as a community of difference”. Hannah Fytche led the Bible Studies based on Romans inviting ministers to engage with Paul’s letter in a fresh way. Other inspirational topics were covered such as intersectional, intercultural, intergenerational, the cross and the crossroads. The threads were then brought together. Worship was led by the Moderators and others, and those present also enjoyed a quiz and a sing-along of well-known hymns and some light-hearted entertainment.
Two ministers, Michael Pfann and Ondrej Zikmund, from the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren spent a few days visiting Thames North Synod recently. After a few days in London, they joined ministers and local leaders at the Spring School.
Yorkshire Synod
Trinity St Andrews raised more than £1631 for charity during a 14-hour singathon in honour of the 50th anniversary of the creation of its local ecumenical partnership.
From 8am-10pm, the church’s music group sang and played the first verse of 790 hymns from the Singing the Faith hymnbook, in celebration of the union between Gargrave Road Methodist Church, Broughton Road Methodist Church and Skipton United Reformed Church, later joined by Trinity Methodist Church in 2023 – now known as Trinity St Andrews.
Jonathan Crossley played piano throughout the day and was joined by Susannah Morrish on flute, along with members of the music group and the Trinity St Andrews congregation.
“People came and went throughout the day,” said a spokesperson. “They joined in with the singing and enjoying a range of refreshments. Everyone commented that it was a lovely day of faith and fellowship.”
The money raised will be donated to Christian Aid.
East Midlands
A true testament to the transformative power of faith was recently witnessed at Abbots Road Church, when a sceptic who joined an Alpha Seekers Group was baptised.
Jack Rackham journeyed with seven others who all supported and encouraged each other over the course of 13 weeks.
Jack immersed himself in prayer, discussion and reflection, and each meeting brought him closer to understanding and embracing his faith.
It was in the last week of the course that Jack says everything changed. He describes the Holy Spirit breaking through as like a “kick in the chest” leading his heart and spirit to open to God’s love and grace.
Jack was then baptised on Easter Sunday.
South Western
Members and friends of Heavitree and Pinhoe URC enjoyed serving coffee and cakes to visitors to the Devon Churches Together barn at the Devon County Show.
Yorkshire Synod
Wigton Moor URC in Leeds held a big event for the local community to commemorate VE Day 80. he event began with an act of remembrance followed by a church member delivering Winston Churchill’s VE day speech. A fish and chips lunch followed with a dessert of sticky toffee pudding and custard. An order for 95 portions of fish and chips was required from the local fish and chip shop! A sing song took place in the afternoon and a good time was had by all.
