As in the words of a popular British children’s programme, why don’t you switch off the TV and do something less boring instead during this coronavirus lockdown? Read May’s edition of the United Reformed Church’s Reform magazine.
This issue, the first produced under the lockdown, is jam-packed with news, comment, inspiration, and debate.
Holmes Lane,
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Catriona Wheeler, an Elder and Church Secretary at Trinity URC Lincoln, was inducted as Moderator at the 2025 meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, held at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick from 4-7 July. Nominated by East Midlands Synod, Catriona will chair the General Assembly’s November 2025 and July 2026 meetings. Catriona was educated at Teesdale School, Barnard Castle, and read law at Birmingham University. An Elder and Church Secretary of Trinity United Reformed Church, Lincoln, Catriona has been the Legal Advisor to the East Midlands Synod of the URC since 1997, works as solicitor practising in the areas of commercial property, corporate law and charity law, and is a Notary Public. Her late grandfather and late mother were both URC Elders, as are both of her brothers. Catriona conducts acts of worship and is authorised to preside at the Sacraments and is a Stepwise student (the URC’s discipleship development programme). Catriona has held membership in churches across three synods, Northern, Yorkshire and East Midlands and serves as a director of East Midlands Synod Trust and Chair of the United Reformed Church Trust. Her hobbies include gentle cycling, with the objective of seeing places, choral singing with the Lincoln Choral society; K-dramas (Korean dramas), BTS (a South Korean band), knitting and crochet. In its nomination, East Midlands Synod said that it was delighted to make this nomination, “having benefitted from Catriona’s wisdom and clarity of thought in meetings and discussions on many occasions and in different situations. Her ability to crystalise the thinking of the room and her pastoral sensitivity to all aspects of an issue are among her great strengths.” Catriona practises as a solicitor and Notary Public. Her areas of law cover commercial property and corporate law, but her particular interest is charity law. Source
One of JPIT’s Six Hopes is for ‘a planet where our environment is renewed‘. As part of our preparation for the Climate Coalition’s Mass Lobby on the 9th of July we invited Sarah Hulme (Rural Mission and Ministry officer for the Methodist Church) and Matt Jeffrey (CEO of the Arthur Rank Centre) to reflect on the links between environmental renewal and regenerative agriculture. The Arthur Rank Centre will be hosting a stand at the climate lobby in Westminster, seeking to create a welcoming space for dialogue between farmers, agricultural communities, and those passionate about tackling the climate crisis. Too often, conversations around farming and climate become polarised, but we believe there is more that unites us than divides us. By bringing people together, we hope to nurture understanding, share stories of regenerative practices already happening in our countryside, and inspire collective action for a healthier, more resilient future. Creation care is mission In the opening chapters of Genesis, we are given an image of humanity’s vocation: to be partners in God’s creation. Genesis 2:15 tells us, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” We are not owners, but partners sharing in the care of a world that reflects God’s glory, central to our identity as image-bearers of God. Creation care is justice Creation care is inseparable from justice. Climate change and environmental degradation disproportionately affect people around the world who are made vulnerable by their lived experiences of poverty. Regenerative agriculture, by promoting biodiversity, soil health, and local food systems, contributes to food security and economic resilience. It embodies the biblical vision of shalom—a holistic peace where relationships between God, humanity, and the earth are restored. The prophet Isaiah envisions a time when “the desert will bloom” (Isaiah 35:1), a poetic image of ecological renewal. In participating in this work, we become co-labourers with God in the healing of creation. Creation care is hope Regenerative agriculture is a defiant act of hope. In a world facing ecological crisis, it is a tangible expression of the resurrection promise — that death does not have the final word and depleted lands can be brought back to life. Every compost pile, every cover crop, every restored watershed becomes a signpost of the Kingdom of God breaking into the present. As Christians, we are called to live in anticipation of the new creation (Revelation 21:1–5). For those of us in Britain who don’t have a daily direct connection with the soil and all the challenges around food production in this ever more unpredictable climate, we do still have personal responsibilities around our choices and spending. We also have a voice that can join with others and lobby for change. July 9th is one such opportunity. We’d love to encourage you to ask your local MP to commit to restoring nature for a safer, healthier future. Lobbying for adequate funding for regenerative agriculture is one way we can embody that future now—by taking seriously our vocation as co-stewards of creation and advocating for those in the fields cultivating life in the soil on our behalf and for a healthier future. What is Regenerative Agriculture? Five Core Principles Minimise Soil Disturbance Avoid ploughing; instead, techniques like no-till drilling place seeds directly into existing soil, helping capture carbon, improve water filtration, and maintain soil integrity. Keep Living Roots Living roots create communication channels through which nutrients and vital agents can travel, keeping the soil community connected and alive. Promote Diversity Crop rotations and companion cropping introduce a variety of root structures and plant relationships, improving soil health and increasing yields. Protect the Soil Surface Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion by wind or rain; cover crops shield and anchor the soil, preventing its loss and preserving nutrients. Integrate Livestock Well-managed grazing mimics natural systems, stimulating root growth and enriching the soil with organic matter, which feeds countless micro-organisms. A prayer Creator God, help us to be faithful partners in your world. Inspire us to work for justice, care for creation, and sow seeds of hope. May we live as people who anticipate the new creation, working together for a restored earth where your shalom reigns. Amen. If you’re looking for practical ways to engage your church or community in this work, the Arthur Rank Centre offers resources and ideas to support farming communities and equip churches in caring for creation. Source
Seven church projects offering outstanding service to their communities have received awards from the United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly meeting at The Hayes in Swanwick from 4-7 July. The URC’s Community Awards partner for the past 16 years has been the insurance company Congregational. In 2025, Congregational has funded awards of £2,000 for each of the three winning projects and four awards of £1,000 for four Highly Commended projects. The 2025 awards bring the number of churches that have received awards to 82 who have received a total of £150,000. This year’s winners are Dove Dementia Cafe, Diss URC in Norfolk; Food with Friends, Rivertown URC in Shotton, North Wales; and Food for Thought, Union Church Margate in Kent. The four Highly Commended projects are Forget-Me-Not Café, St Andrews Roundhay URC in Leeds; Stepping Out for the Community, Longton URC, Stoke on Trent; Vine Gardening Club, Vine URC in Ilford, Essex; and Soupermums, Wilsden Trinity Church near Bradford. The Revd Tim Meadows, Moderator of the URC General Assembly, said the awards recognise projects that “demonstrate the love of God and the mission of the Church by reaching out in many different ways to help the local communities in which our churches serve”. Award winners Dove Dementia Cafe, Diss URC in Norfolk Dove Dementia Café is heled monthly for people living with dementia and their carers. The café opened its doors in January 2015 to just one person with dementia, but now regularly hosts between 50 and 60 people for lunch, supported by a team of 20 volunteers. [embedded content] Other branches of community support have grown out of the café’s work: Dove Song (a music therapy group for people with dementia), Dove Afternoon Tea (which allows people to access informal worship), Dove Song Plus (a singing group for those with complex needs living in local residential homes), and Dovelets, which is a sensory play, messy play and music group for children with special needs. Food with Friends, Rivertown URC in Shotton, North Wales Food with Friends is an ecumenical project that offers a free two-course meal to anyone in need every Tuesday all year round, even on Christmas Day. The project operates in an area of multiple deprivation with high levels of food insecurity and aims to address food poverty, combat loneliness, maintain dignity, and demonstrate God’s love in action. [embedded content] During the Covid pandemic, the project adapted by distributing sandwiches at the door. This is something that some guests still prefer, so food is always available to take away. In addition to meals, fresh short-dated food donated by local stores through FareShare is available for guests to take home. Food for Thought, Union Church Margate in Kent Food for Thought celebrates Margate’s richly diverse community by hosting a dynamic programme of speakers at Union Church. [embedded content] The monthly, family-friendly gathering offers a free breakfast and hot drink. It features thoughts and insights on topics from fine art to folk music while touching on issues of faith and spirituality. Discussion and engagement is encouraged and the gathering welcomes people of all faiths and none, creatives, members of the LBGT+ community and people of all ages and political views. Highly Commended Forget-Me-Not Café, St Andrews Roundhay URC in Leeds The Forget Me Not café provides a safe, welcoming space for people with dementia and their carers. The café has been running twice a month since August 2024 and aims to become a hub for information, signposting and advice about dementia resources in the area. [embedded content] St Andrew’s is set in the Roundhay area of North East Leeds, an area that is home to a large number of older people, many of whom live alone. Stepping Out for the Community, Longton URC, Stoke on Trent Located in one of the poorest cities in the UK, Longton URC congregation set out to be more active within its community, taking it one step at a time. It has recruited volunteers to share the Bible with children in a local primary school and another team distributes tinned and packaged food provided by the Foodbank warehouse. [embedded content] Step three was to offer a warm, safe ‘Welcome Space’ for those struggling to meet ever-increasing fuel bills. Finally, acknowledging that the pool of volunteers from within the congregation was almost exhausted, the latest step has been to strengthen links with ecumenical partners and organise joint events. Vine Gardening Club, Vine URC in Ilford, Essex Vine URC’s gardening club was formed in 2023 with residents from the Malachi project, a pop-up hostel in Ilford run by the Salvation Army for previously homeless people. [embedded content] The club aims to create a pollinator-friendly on a previously unloved piece of land outside the church’s community house. It provides food and colourful flowers. It is also a place where Malachi residents are welcomed and grow in wellbeing. Several residents bring experience of farming, carpentry and building. Soupermums, Wilsden Trinity Church near Bradford For over ten years, Soupermums has supported over 900 babies and their parents/ carers. It provides care, support, encouragement and love to parents at a time of significant change in their lives following the birth of a child(ren). [embedded content] A group of Christian mums and dads who belong to Wilsden Trinity Church offer soup, a song for the babies and a poem or prayer for parents to keep. Above all, Soupermums is a place parents and carers to relax and enjoy being looked after. Learn more about the Community Project Awards. Source
Day three of the 2025 meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick opened with a Bible study led by Dr Francesca Nuzzolese, Professor of Pastoral Care at the Waldensian Theological School in Rome. She invited members of Assembly to recreate holy silence they experienced yesterday: centre themselves, meet Jesus and reconnect with holy rest. She explained that the care for oneself, which she described yesterday, is the first step of journey, not to be mistaken for destination. Our destination is care for our neighbour out of radical compassion. But not all of us manage this, including those in and training for pastoral ministry. Why? Dr Nuzzolese suggested that the Old Testament directs us to compassion for the other quite narrowly defined: widows, orphans. Jesus, in contrast, stretches the definition to breaking point. Jesus calls us to move in compassion towards the other who threatens us. We are wired to protect and to run away, not to move kindly towards danger. A few are able: Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Jesus. And the Samaritan in Jesus’ story. What enables him to cross boundary and move toward suffering? In Christ we are seen, loved and healed. But, said Dr Nuzzolese, we see the limits of this in most people’s behaviour. Belief and practice are in tension. Biblical seeing is not a glance, it is giving attention to someone, becoming attuned to them, comprehending them. This is what a parent does to a baby, and it can stop the baby crying. Something similar happens in therapy: being attuned to someone gives us power to communicate compassion, which leads to healing. She quoted the Christian mystic Simone Weil: ‘Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.’ Jesus asks same of us, said Dr Nuzzolese. The Greek word that is translated ‘compassion’ in the story of the Good Samaritan describes a response at the level of the gut, the bowels. Empathy is not enough. The movement towards suffering reflects the image of God in us. It is what God does in Christ. Jesus moved with compassion moves towards the enemy. This movement, she said, requires inner resilience and spiritual maturity. It is not offered out of sense of duty but out of groundedness. So why not normative, even for those being trained in pastoral care? Dr Nuzzolese suggested that some are not capable of it at a core human level. Woundedness can prevent us being attuned and stop us offering spiritual care without leaving the room sterile. Personal trauma can leave people too wounded to be healers. Anxiety and fear of attack can create unsafe spaces, maybe cause us to shut down. Spiritual fatigue, she said, can also leave a film over the eyes prevents the kind of seeing that leads to compassion. For these reasons we need to cultivate spiritual practices, contemplation and safe relationships. So, Dr Nuzzolese again concluded by leading Assembly in receptive centred prayer. Session seven Paper N1 Church Life Review – Progress and local church perspectiveAt General Assembly 2025, the Revd Steve Faber, Convenor of the Church Life Review Steering Group, delivered a key presentation updating members on the progress of the Church Life Review (CLR), now in Phase Two (design). Phase Two of the CLR, was tasked by General Assembly in 2023 to focus on four workstreams. These consist of financial resource sharing (finance), provision of shared support services (services), employment of lay workers (lay workers), and new URC communities of worship and discipleship (new communities). The report does not present any final proposals or resolutions but sets the stage for the extraordinary session in November 2025, where decisions will be made. The presentation showed the need for change within the wider challenges facing many Christian denominations across Europe, including declining membership, increased regulatory demands, and the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was acknowledged that many URC structures have remained largely unchanged since 1972, and that continuing “as is” is no longer viable. The work is guided by a collaborative process involving consultations and shaped by biblical inspiration, particularly Jeremiah 29’s encouragement to “get on with life.” The Steering Group has not heard from every member of the denomination but has heard from many across the Church in a way that has never happened before. Steve highlighted key gatherings that have taken place, with a variety of members of the URC serving in various roles, such as in June 2024 (finance), November 2024 (shared services) and January 2025 (new communities), and May 2025 (shared fund proposal) for examples. Key proposals discussed include a central resources portal, shared administrative services (like payroll, HR, and IT), and the idea of employing lay workers more strategically, either at the local or Synod level. A major factor is the proposed Church Life Fund, which will finance these developments and provide support to churches and communities in need, whether urban congregations burdened by maintenance costs or rural areas struggling with isolation and decline. The overall hope is of a flourishing URC that is less burdened and better enabled, with renewed energy for mission, evangelism, and discipleship. Elizbeth Hall, a member of the CLR steering group gave a couple of examples of how the CLR can help local churches. She told a story of an urban church that had seen better days, was facing increased unfunded costs for maintenance. Which was burdened with thoughts around health and safety and safeguarding bureaucracy for groups renting its premises. The church has little energy left and its focus on mission and vision is crowded out by all the process and protocols. The CLR, Elizabeth explained, could help the church, not by providing the perfect solution, but by providing, for example, a central place for for agreed documents, where Health and Safety and risk assessment forms can be easily found. Advice can be provided around filling said form, along with the provision of “back room”. This can result […]
The United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly passed an emergency resolution at its 2025 meeting in response to the Israeli government’s profoundly distressing military actions in Gaza. The move follows the lead of the World Council of Churches (WCC), whose Central Committee issued a carefully considered statement during its meeting held in Johannesburg from 18-24 June. In its statement, the WCC said: “We recognise a clear distinction between the Jewish people, our siblings in faith, and the acts of the government of Israel, and we reaffirm that the WCC stands firm against any kind of racism, including antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, and Islamophobia. “The unbearable suffering inflicted on the people of Gaza, and the escalating violence and oppression in the West Bank and in Jerusalem compel the global fellowship of churches to speak with clarity, urgency, and commitment to the principles of justice under international law and ethics.” In support of the WCC statement, the moderator of the West Midlands Synod, Revd Steve Faber, introduced Resolution 42 to the URC Assembly. “Atrocities have continued,” Revd Faber said, citing Israeli breaches of ceasefire agreements, deliberate blockade of aid, indiscriminate civilian casualties, and comprehensive air strikes ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. “This is about ethics, not ethnicity,” he emphasised. “We must not allow people to believe that all Jewish people are responsible for these actions. The condemnation is directed at the Israeli government and its military, not the nation or Jewish people.” Resolution 42 explicitly commends the WCC statement, which calls for an end to “apartheid, occupation, and impunity in Palestine and Israel”. It also accuses the Israeli military campaign of grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention, acts which may amount to genocide and/or crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Revd Faber acknowledged the contribution of Revd Dr Susan Durber, a URC minister, who serves as WCC President for Europe, who had a key role in the process that led to the WCC statement. “We are witnessing genocide, and we must have the courage to name it as such,” he said. During the debate, a member, whose family is Jewish, expressed support for the resolution. They affirmed the call to combat antisemitism, though asked for an understanding of the nuance within the Jewish diaspora around the actions of the State of Israel. Within their own family, there were both Zionists and pro Palestinians. Speakers from the floor encouraged the URC to support the WCC’s position. There was a call for members to write to MPs, calling on the UK government to put an immediate end to UK arms sales to Israel, and urging the government to avoid breaches of international law. After a period of impassioned discussion in favour of the motion, Resolution 42 was adopted with overwhelming support by the Assembly, affirming the URC’s commitment to justice, peace, equity, and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. In a later session, Revd Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission) introduced the a film about an ecumenical visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Watch the film below. [embedded content] Philip also highlighted a range of resolutions agreed at previous General Assemblies. These have urged congregations to resist all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia. They have also included a call on the UK government to cease arms sales to Israel, as well a request to the URC’s investment trusts not to invest in any companies that might benefit from the occupation of Palestine. There has also been a General Assembly resolution (2024) to avoid investing in any Israeli registered company until such time as the Israeli government abides by international law. URC passes multiple resolutions about Israel and Palestine Paper I2 General Assembly 2021 resolutions Paper I3 General Assembly 2024 resolutions Video and image: The Revd Dr Kevin Snyman. Source
Day two of the 2025 meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick opened with worship led by the Revd Andrew Mann-Ray and Andrea Heron, the chaplains to the General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Tim Meadows. The reading was from Romans 4, about Abraham’s hopeful faith in God’s promise. Andrew shared his poem “Hope is a four-letter word”. The Moderator, the Revd Tim Meadows, introduced Dr Francesca Nuzzolese, Professor of Pastoral Care at the Waldensian Theological School in Rome, who led a Bible study on the words of Jesus in Matthew: ‘Come to me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.’ Dr Nuzzolese invited members of Assembly to receive those words as spoken to them here and now. Are any of us, she asked, carrying a burden, needing the kind of rest that can sustain our holy work of giving hope and care and strength? Those of us who minister to others, Dr Nuzzolese said, need to be first fully present to ourselves. Burn out, exhaustion and spiritual despair are among the deadliest dangers for those in ministry. Why are those called to care often the most reluctant to receive care? Professional care givers need to be care receivers. When weariness becomes chronic, it cannot be fixed by a couple of weeks off but requires something much deeper: repenting the hubris of acting as if we were indispensable, a martyrdom complex, masochism. What the world needs most is our presence filled with the Spirit. Dr Nuzzolese reflected on Jesus’ invitation, ‘Come’. Care begins with receiving not doing. We cannot offer what we do not have. Rest is not selfish, but the best act of care we can offer, including care to those closest to us. Rest is not a luxury or a reward but spiritual obedience. When we receive rest, we are not alone but yoked with Christ. Rest is part of ministry. She said she wanted to remind us as gently as Jesus does: yield to the invitation to go often to Jesus. Session three Paper B1 Children’s and Youth Work Committee Final ReportAt General Assembly 2025, the Revd Samantha Sheehan, Convenor of the Children’s and Youth Work Committee (CYWC) reflected on seven years of strategic work and introduced a renewed vision for the future. Rooted in the call to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Tim 1:6), the committee highlighted the importance of nurturing thriving, inclusive, intergenerational churches where children and young people are central to God’s mission. Framed around the biblical call to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6), Samantha emphasised that tradition should be understood not as “worshipping the ashes” but as “tending the flame.” Since 2018, CYWC has focused on strengthening congregations in five key areas: faith, community, identity, engagement, and growth. Milestones have included Youth Assembly, training programmes like Youth Mental Health First Aid and Godly Play, and the creation of practical resources such as Go with Greta, Faith Adventures, Youth Mental Health First Aid for churches of all sizes. As CYWC hands over its work to new structures, the new wider Faith in Action committee, CYWC calls on the Church to continue empowering young people, embedding their voices in decision-making, and building a truly intergenerational future for the URC. In light of this, Assembly was reminded of two key resolutions previously passed: “To consistently mindful of the voice of children and young people and of the impact of decisions on future generations. To enable this, all councils of the church are encouraged to review how they are able to hear and respond to children and young people. Recognise work with children, young people and families as ministry. Education and Learning presentation Pippa Hodgson, Convenor of the Education & Learning Committee, made what could be the final report from the Committee (subject to other resolutions at the Assembly). “Looking at the Education & Learning General Assembly reports since 2005, it is quite remarkable how education and learning has changed,” Pippa began. “Collaboration between and across Synods, Resource Centres for Learning (RCLs) and those at Church House, not only for the three Education For Ministry (EM) levels, but also in developing a range of programmes to meet the needs of all has been a notable success. Not always without bumps along the way!” There have been significant changes to the funding of higher education in England, Pippa continued, developments such as blended and virtual learning, working collaboratively with the RCLs and across Church House Committees, and the expectations of EM1 education. Wider programmes, such as the Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers programme and its predecessor TLS, and Stepwise have provided a Reformed ‘platform’ for those who wish to serve their churches as preachers and for some to develop their call to candidate for ministry. Difficult decisions still need to be made, however, “but let us not lose sight of the positives: the opportunities and the gifts that education and learning as a whole brings to the URC and beyond.” “As we move into a new committee structure, and as other things change, it is right that the education and learning of the whole people of God is integrated across the work of the Church. It is not something for a separate committee, rather education, learning and personal growth is ‘everybody’s business’.” Paper BDFH1 Update on a Ministry of Children’s and Youth Work Revd Samantha Sheehan also presented the final joint paper from the work group in the form of Resolution 20 which is itself in response to Resolution 13 that was presented and resolved at GA 2023, inviting CYWC, Ministries and Education and Learning to explore what would be needed to introduce a formal Children’s, Youth and Families ministry. Resource Centres for Learning also joined the conversation. An update was brought to Assembly Executive earlier this year, however it was noted that there were questions […]
The 2025 meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, opened at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick on 4 July. The meeting began with Communion led by the Revd Tim Meadows General Moderator 2025-2025, and with worship led by the Revd Andrew Mann-Ray and Andrea Heron, his chaplains. [embedded content] As Andrew is a lover of folk music, he led Assembly in singing unaccompanied the folk hymn John Ball. The reading was from 1 Corinthians 13, about the supremacy of love. Andrea reflected on the 60ft sculpture in the Vatican, Resurrection by Fazzini, in which Christ emerges from nuclear crater. It encapsulated what it meant to live under the threat of nuclear war in the mid-20th century. “It is one of my favourite things,” said Andrea. “And it scares the life out of me.” She said: “The idea of the destruction of everything I recognise, know and that gives me my sense of self and identity, scares me senseless. But that image of Christ rising out of the ashes – now that, that makes my soul sing!” As Christians we should know that there can be no resurrection without crucifixion, but it can be hard to really grasp that. Traditional western images of crucifixion are beautiful, but unreal. “So,” said Andrea, “we are called to join with those going through real suffering and stay there. God invites us to share his greatest moment of suffering and that is the path to joining in his resurrection. What a beautiful privilege! Because we are promised resurrection, we are called to go through the world of suffering. Love is the path that will lead us through crucifixion to resurrection.” [embedded content] Session one Introduction and greeting of ecumenical guestsThe Revd Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission) reminded Assembly that “there is a world outside the United Reformed Church” and that it is represented by ecumenical guests. Uniquely, ecumenical guests are normally full members of Assembly with voting rights. This year’s guests are: Dr Francesca Nuzzolese (Waldensian) Martin Heninger and Anja Behrens (Evangelical Church of the Palatinate) Júlia Berecz (Reformed Church in Hungary) Charles Klagba-Kuadjovi (Eglise Protestante Unie de France) Revd Chantal Noppen (Church of England) Revd Tom Osborne (Methodist Church in Britain) Hilary Treavis (Baptist Union of Great Britain) Fr Dominic Robinson (Roman Catholic) The Revd Géza Kacsó was warmly welcomed and invited to address the Assembly. Mr Kacsó serves as pastor of the multi-cultural Reformed community of Bátyú in Transcarpathia, an area of western Ukraine. He said getting out of Ukraine since the war began has been extremely difficult, especially for males of the population, and that he was fortunate to be one of the exceptions. He said Transcarpathia has been relatively safe from bombing and missiles but that his community has lost many people who have moved away, including children – “our future” – and males conscripted to the army. He said that in many ways life in Transcarpathia goes on as normal, though many women are taking up the work of men sent to war. None of the ministers have left, he said. He concluded: “We hope for a better future and we thank you for all your support, financial and through prayer.” The Right Revd Rosemary (Rosie) Frew, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, brought greetings from her General Assembly, and on behalf of all the ecumenical guests thanked the URC for its hospitality. She said that Christian denominations are all facing similar issues, and that this is a time of learning and sharing. This is the first year as Clerk of General Assembly for the Revd Sarah Moore, joined by the Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young, the new Assistant Clerk. To explain how business and voting works at General Assembly, Sarah recruited members of the National Synod of Scotland who introduced a mock debate around the colour balance of sweets in supermarket brands of pastilles. The debate was “fruitful” and gave Assembly much to “chew on”. Assembly voted in favour of resolutions nominating members of the Facilitation Group for Assembly and as the Convenor of Tellers. Synod Moderator’s ReportThe 2025 Synod Moderators’ Report, presented by the Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Moderator of East Midlands Synod focuses on the theme of grace and draws upon both scripture and lived experiences from churches across the denomination. The report calls the URC to be “full of grace”, not just in word but in witness. Geoffrey commented that in terms of style the report may well be judged to be more like a “sermon” than a report. “That should in itself come as no surprise, given that we exercise a ministry of Word and Sacraments,” he said. “This year we share a word of encouragement and challenge – for each of us is urged to hear afresh the call to be a people who are full of grace.” In the report moderators reflected on the contrast between the grace we receive through Christ and the “famine of grace” in society today, marked by harshness, contempt, and division. To illustrate the point, Geoffrey walked Assembly through several examples of a lack of grace in modern society: Jackie Weaver, the star of a viral parish council meeting who ejected members of the meeting for their bad behaviour, and Trump’s behaviour towards Zelinskyy in front of television cameras. The Church, while not perfect, is called to be countercultural: a people defined by generosity, compassion, and gratitude. Geoffrey acknowledged that although it would be good to be able to claim that within church settings how we treat one another and the behaviour in our meetings is exemplary, it is sadly not always the case. Drawing on the biblical encounter between Mary and Elizabeth and the glimpses of grace that we can catch in one another, Geoffrey reminded us that each gathering can be a moment of recognising God’s work in and through us. Geoffrey acknowledged that the membership of the Moderators meetings had recently been completed by the arrival of the […]
International development agency Christian Aid is inviting people to join a mass lobby calling on MPs to take stronger action on the climate crisis. Thousands of people are due to gather on Wednesday, July 9, at Westminster, to meet with more than 300 MPs for the Act Now Change Forever mass lobby, organised by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s biggest group of organisations and communities demanding action for people, climate and nature. Among them will be church leaders and representatives from faith-based organisations around the UK, including Christian Aid, the Salvation Army, Islamic Relief and CAFOD. Christian Aid’s Luke Harman, Campaigns & Activism Manager, explained there are three clear asks of the UK Government: deliver vital funding to communities hit hardest by climate change here and around the world; cut bills, back UK jobs, and secure a greener fairer future for all; and restore nature to create a safer, healthier future. He added: “The cost of the climate crisis is continuing to rise and hit the people living in poverty the hardest. The mass lobby of Parliament is a crucial moment for Christians to join with other faith groups, conservation charities and anti-poverty campaigners to raise our voices. “As Christian Aid supporters have been doing for 80 years, we’ll stand with our global neighbours and hold politicians accountable to the needs of people most impacted.” Thousands of people are expected to take part, from every corner of the UK, and alongside the lobbying, there will be speaker sessions at a nearby venue, nature walks led by WWF-UK, and a photocall in Parliament Square. Christian Aid supporters can sign up here. Image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash. Source
Fliss Barker has been a Church Related Community Worker (CRCW) at the project in Wooler since July 2022. It is both a new project and is the United Reformed Church’s first rural CRCW post. It is also Fliss’ first project, after completing four years of training at Luther King Centre in Manchester. Fliss describes a new initiative which is focused on taking the Gospel to the streets, initiating conversation and giving out hugs (to those who want them!). Taking the Gospel out on the streets can be an uncomfortable prospect at times but, for the last year in Wooler, a small team from Wooler URC has been going out onto the high street sharing the gospel with the local community through hugs. These events, held on a Saturday morning are always well received and certainly generate lots of excellent conversations. Being on the high street regularly establishes a real presence in the community, we share why we do what we do, we share the Gospel, and we have a good chat with folk. We want people to know that God loves them and that we, as Christians, want to also share this love with others – through hugs. We recently decided to step this up a gear with ‘Prayers on the Street’ with the aim of connecting once again with the community by demonstrating God’s love. So, we headed out onto the high street, but this time, we were armed with free Bibles, flyers, a prayer tree and some chocolate! Our approach is gentle and respectful. The simple phrase “we’re here to offer prayer”, for example, can stop a person in their tracks so we took it steady! We’re mindful that these events are in partnership with God and it’s a real privilege to do so. We are also very aware that the Holy Spirit is already at work and that He brings people to us. This enables us to minister from a place of peace and with an understanding of the authority we have in Jesus’ name to pray with people – and it worked. We had a brilliant day – several people stopped to ask questions, we talked about other events happening in the community and we also prayed with a couple of different folk. Hooray! Jesus sent his twelve disciples out walking to local communities so they might spend time noticing what was going on and what was affecting people (Matt. 10.1-15). He warned them that it would not be easy when they proclaimed that ‘the kingdom of God has come near’. They were to respond to local needs, ‘cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons’. Luke also records that 70 disciples were sent out in pairs and as they went, they were to pray asking ‘the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’. When the disciples returned, Jesus said ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.We are so excited about this new project and are already looking forward to doing it again in July and September later this year. Not everyone wants to engage, certainly not everyone wants a hug, but I believe that by having a regular presence on the high street, it generates conversation and the very real message that the church is for everyone, all are welcome! Everyone can have a hug or a prayer no matter who you are. There are many residents who come over to say hello and have a chat with us. We are particularly grateful for hot drinks and a bacon sandwich given completely free from the local cafe when these events are on. I’m excited about these events and can’t wait for the next one – When we’re not ashamed of Jesus Christ, He’s not ashamed of us. As we obey His command to proclaim the gospel throughout the world, He promises – I am with you always (Matthew 28:20)Amen. Source
Marie Trubic is a Church Related Community Worker (CRCW) and minsters with two congregations in West Somerset. These are Cannington URC, which is in the centre of the rural village with the same name and Westfield URC, which is in the market town of Bridgwater. Marie also acts as a chaplain to Hinckley Point C (HPC). This is one of the largest construction sites in Europe covering the area of 225 football pitches. Here, Marie talks about her role at (HPC) and describes why she feels it is important to provide a listening ear while fostering a sense of community and connection on site. Set between the Quantock Hills and the North Somerset Coast (HPC) is the largest construction site in the UK and one of the largest in Europe and where a new generation nuclear power station is being built. The numbers of the workforce are enormous with currently over 12000 individuals working there and this is increasing to 15000 as it moves into the next phase of construction. The construction industry has a reputation for being a high-pressured environment with the suicide rate within this sector being higher than many others. Much of the workforce on site are working away from their homes and their families, some coming from distant countries as there are dozens of different nationalities represented at HPC. In recognition of these stress factors, it was acknowledged that something was needed to care for the whole person rather than just the physical and so it was decided that the company would employ a chaplain to help care for the workforce. Once appointed it quickly became apparent that more chaplains would be needed to offer support to the growing workforce and so associate (volunteer) chaplains were sought. After completing various training courses including Mental Health First Aid, I joined as an associate chaplain in spring of 2022. I usually spend the best part of a day a week and work alongside two salaried chaplains, four other volunteer chaplains and a considerable number of employees who have also undergone Mental Health First Aid training.All the chaplains are people of faith, but my role is not limited to spiritual care, and you may be surprised to learn that most workers are quite keen to talk about God and faith when they are given the opportunity. However, I don’t spend most of my time sat in a room listening to people in a traditional counselling scenario as one of the most important parts of being a chaplain on site is being present and walking alongside people during both the difficult moments and the happier ones. When workers face personal challenges—whether it’s family issues, financial stress, or the toll that long hours can take on their mental health—we’re here to listen and offer support. But just as importantly, we’re also here to celebrate the milestones and the moments of joy. My role is not only about providing a listening ear but also helping to foster a sense of community and connection on site. In a large, bustling environment of a construction site, it’s easy for people to feel isolated. But through simple conversations, chaplains help create a culture where workers feel seen and supported. The work we do is about reminding people that no matter who they are or what they’re going through, they’re not alone. For example, many of the night workforce expressed concern that they felt ‘forgotten’ as they considered that mental health support was only available during the day. Therefore, I have just completed six months covering night shifts to determine if there is a need for permanent cover by the chaplaincy. As a result, HPC have made the decision to appoint a night chaplain.I can’t possibly get to know everyone on site, but I make every effort to ensure that as many people as possible know who I am and what I represent. Being there and ‘presence’ is a large part of my role and a little can go a long way. Maybe that is because the chaplains represent a much bigger presence. Main image: ©HinkleyPointC Source
