{"id":1855,"date":"2025-05-12T09:52:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T09:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urc.org.uk\/?p=58919"},"modified":"2025-05-12T09:52:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T09:52:17","slug":"future-of-education-and-learning-in-the-urc-explored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standrewsurcrustington.org.uk\/?p=1855","title":{"rendered":"Future of Education and Learning in the URC explored"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 70 people gathered at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire last month to explore the future direction of learning within the United Reformed Church.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those gathered included leaders and educators from Resource Centres for Learning (RCL), the Newbigin Pioneering Hub and the Offices of General Assembly for the Education and Learning (E and L) consultation, held in direct response to Resolution Y* from February\u2019s Assembly Executive (AE),<\/p>\n

The consultation opened with worship led by the Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary, focusing on words from John 21: 15-17: \u201cFeed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep\u201d.<\/p>\n

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The Revd Andrea Russell, Warden of Gladstone\u2019s Library, and Victoria James, the URC\u2019s Chief Operating Officer, facilitated creative and varied conversations. This enabled the exploration of the URC\u2019s current E and L provision locally, regionally and denominationally and what the educational needs of the URC are for the mid-21st century. The group also explored things which might be done more effectively, using the resources and people currently available.<\/p>\n

Working in small groups around tables and in whole session plenaries, participants explored hopes and fears, accepting that the difficult conversations were being held during a time of change and uncertainty. Each synod, RCL, the Newbigin Hub and the Offices of the General Assembly presented their current offerings. What was being done well was highlighted as well whether there were any obvious gaps.<\/p>\n

Following feedback, the question \u201cwhat does the identity of the URC bring to the table in the discussion\u201d was considered. Tables considered specific groups, along with their training needs. A real focus was given to Eldership and the importance of the role of Elders and the need to equip them well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat will the URC E and L offering, as a whole, need to be delivering in five years\u2019 time?\u201d was also a question explored along with any barriers that may affect this; the provision\u2019s design and delivery; the role that RCLs and the Newbigin Pioneering Hub will play; cohort size and whether mandatory training should be stipulated were topics examined.<\/p>\n

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The consultation ended with encouraging words from Andrea and the General Secretary.<\/p>\n

The Revd Jenny Mills, Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship) said: \u201cIt was a full-on 24 hours with some spaces for worship, quiet and informal conversations, but a series of themes emerged around these questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

These themes were:<\/p>\n