south aston URC CELEBRATESSouth Aston United Reformed Church celebrated on Sunday 13 August when several people, who have been members of the URC and wider church for at least 50 years, were awarded certificates of loyal service. Visiting Lay Preacher Su Bailey presented the certificates. Congratulations to all!
From left to right: Jackie Hancox; Jackie & Sarah, daughters of Sybil Holligan who died recently at the age of 95; Su Bailey, visiting Lay Preacher; Cathy Hopes; Dorothy Martin; Roger Hopes; Ann Tempest, who has been a Church Member for exactly 50 years
defibrillator for community at kenilworth urc, abbey hill
Left to right: Neil Morris, Chair of Kenilworth Heartsafe; Seringa Dudley, KHS Trustee and Lead Trainer; Mark Stevens the main funder; George Jones, Kenilworth United Reformed Church
Kenilworth United Reformed Church now hosts an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with installation facilitated by Kenilworth HeartSafe (KHS). The defibrillator is publicly accessible 24/7 as part of its “Saving Lives in Kenilworth” campaign. It has been funded partly by URC funds but with a substantial donation from Mark Stevens, a former Church warden at St Nicholas' Church, whose donation was in memory of his late friend Keith Grierson, the founding Chairman of Kenilworth HeartSafe. George Jones, Church Leader at Kenilworth URC, said “We were very keen to host an AED at the Church, providing potential lifesaving support to our congregation and all who enjoy the delights of Abbey Fields immediately opposite the Church. We are very grateful to KHS for their support in taking this forward and to Mark Stevens for his incredible generosity in bridging the funding gap. We are now discussing with KHS some CPR and AED training courses for the benefit of our congregation and any local residents who wish to join us.” KHS Chairman Neil Morris said “This is now the 26th publicly accessible AED in our community and the 19th facilitated by KHS since our campaign started 3 years ago. KHS was approached by Kenilworth URC to assist in sourcing funds for the installation with the URC having around 25% of the monies required. Mark Stevens had been in contact with us indicating his wish to support KHS’ campaign in Keith’s memory and he readily agreed to fund the significant shortfall which is an incredibly generous gesture. This campaign is to ensure that we have both the equipment and skills to help keep us all safe in the community where we live, work and play”. latest CYFC AWARDCongratulations to Shrewsbury URC, the latest recipient of the Child and Youth Friendly Church award. Read more here.
ZION UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, LANGLEY GREEN - TOY SERVICE
Church leaders' summit
Statement from West Midland Church Leaders following their meeting on October 2nd - 3rd
Woodbrooke Centre, Birmingham We met together in Birmingham to pray and encourage one another. We represent a range of traditions and ethnicities and rejoice in that diversity. We gathered united by our faith in Jesus Christ, the hope that he inspires in us and the love which motivates us to love in response. We sought in prayer to discern God’s word to us and the West Midlands area we love and serve. We rejoiced in stories of growth, whilst realistic about the challenges of sustainability post COVID. We want to build our unity through prayer and mutual understanding se we more faithfully reflect our faith in Jesus Christ. Our call is to be more effective in blessing our communities in his name and sharing the reason for the hope that is in us. We encourage all our churches to engage locally and internationally, working with all of good will to contribute to the common good. In these challenging days of the cost of living crises, wars and climate crisis, we long to be a transforming presence, creating warm and safe spaces and living sustainably. In a world that often seeks simplistic answers, we are called to hold the space for complexity and conversation across difference. We want that for our churches and we seek to be facilitators of that respectful dialogue in the wider community. Attendees: Bishop Joe Aldred National Church Leaders’ Forum Revd Adrian Argile Heart of England Baptist Association Rt Revd Sarah Bullock Diocese of Lichfield Pastor Dr Marcus Chilaka Redeemed Christian Church of God Revd Dave Ellis Heart of England Baptist Association Pastor Eniiwaju Etomi Redeemed Christian Church of God Revd Steve Faber URC, West Midlands Synod Rt Revd Martin Gorick Diocese of Worcester Ms Rhiannon Grant Central England Quakers Revd Novette Headley Birmingham District Rt Revd John Inge Diocese of Worcester Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave Diocese of Lichfield Bishop Jonathan Jackson New Testament Church of God Rt Revd Richard Jackson Diocese of Hereford Most Revd Bernard Longley Archdiocese of Birmingham Mr Robert Mountford Birmingham/Black Country/Staffordshire Rt Revd Matthew Parker Diocese of Lichfield Revd Rachel Parkinson Wolverhampton/Shrewsbury District Lt Col Joao Paulo Ramos Salvation Army, West Midlands Division Bishop Mike Royal Churches Together in England Revd Neil Le Tissier Heart of England Baptist Association Rt Revd David Urquhart Diocese of Birmingham Pastor Nick Whittome Elim Pentecostal Church June 2022 Covid adviceThe Synod Moderators have published updated guidance for local churches, reflecting the current state of the pandemic and ending of all government restrictions.
A number of our members, and those in our communities that we serve will still be vulnerable and anxious about Coronavirus infections. The Elders' Meeting (or equivalent council in a Local Ecumenical Partnership) are responsible for the Health and Safety of their buildings and activities. It is this council that has the authority and the responsibility to put in place appropriate mitigations. At a time of generally lower risk, Elders may wish to consider what measures should be retained. They should also monitor changing circumstances to see if and when protection measures should be reinstated. The Moderators' guidance is available below. 
COmmonwealth gamesThe Commonwealth Games is being hosted in and around Birmingham this summer. Here are some ways to pray for the Games and the preparation for them, and some ways in which you might be involved.
Bereavement Point expanding in Coventry
Foleshill Road URC are working with the Department of Spiritual Care at UHCW NHS Trust to host a Bereavement drop in called ‘Bereavement Point’ for people who have been bereaved. A number of church members have been trained in basic bereavement support and along with a Chaplain they host a monthly informal drop in. Every family who has had a death in the hospital receive a letter inviting them to one of the drop ins either at the hospital or Foleshill Rd URC. We are expanding this service further into the community over the coming year as we realised there is a huge need as communities are becoming more isolated and people’s needs aren’t being met. As a church and as a Chaplaincy Team we believe the way forward to provide support in communities is in collaboration with as many agencies as possible. Further information: Rev Paul Holmes, Chaplain Dept of Spiritual Care, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust Direct Line 02476967515 (ext.27515) e mail: paul.holmes@uhcw.nhs.uk |
New resources published
click for pdf 
The new discipleship resources from the URC was introduced NEW LAY PREACHERS
Information of those who are commissioned within the Synod is to be found on the Lay Preachers page. 
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