Chesterton urc eco story"Chesterton United Reformed Church is nestled in a row of terraced houses and has an area of ground 16 metres by 6 metres at the rear, which is enclosed on three sides and has for many years been kept tidy but was unused.
Over the last 12 months we have worked together to make a welcoming garden which can be used by the congregation. We have created borders under the walls in which we've planted shrubs and perennials, all donated , mostly from offshoots from our own gardens. Bird feeders with nuts and seeds are hung and our elder with plumbing skills has installed an outside tap allowing easy watering and topping up of a bird bath. A water feature will soon be connected and is solar powered. Our 'bug hotel' was constructed from some old pallets found on site which were laid flat then stacked. The gaps were then filled with old garden canes, bricks, tubing, logs and straw. It has a pitched roof to keep the residents dry and insets love it. The donation of an unused lawn mower has meant we can keep the central grassy area cut and a sturdy wooden bench provides a place to sit and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Now that spring has arrived, the bulbs that were planted in September have provided a colourful display and we can see that the plants have survived a winter in their new habitat and are beginning to shoot. In time we hope to make a beautiful garden which can be enjoyed by the congregation and the community. Maybe accommodating garden parties, bar-b-ques or a quiet area for reflection, meditation and prayer. Our efforts so far have helped towards our achievement of the Eco Church bronze award so this has been an added bonus." Lindsey, Chesterton URC On the death of Pope FrancisI have this morning written to the Most Revd Bernard Longley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, expressing my sorrow and condolences at the death of Pope Francis. Archbishop Bernard and I shared in the Walk of Witness on Good Friday in the Centre of Birmingham, where we talked about the health of the Pope and of the reforming work he commissioned in the Synodal Process. Please join me in praying for all Roman Catholic people in their time of grief.
Steve Faber Synod Moderator On the Death of His Holiness, Pope Francis - United Reformed Church St Andrew's URC Cheltenham Easter videoOur Easter Video this year challenges us to think about one of the most puzzling aspects of the story – the role of the traitor Judas.
It is also an opportunity to look back 25 years to Millennium Year and the wonderful experience of the Cheltenham Passion Play 2000. We have used images of various scenes in the Passion Play within the video. We are grateful to everyone who took part for their contributions. Tony & Sandra Easter 2025 Easter EGGS GIFTED
Members of Zion URC, Langley Green in the Black Country use their Palm Sunday service for a special collection – that of Easter Eggs. Just as many churches bring gifts of food forwards during a harvest festival service, Zion do this annually with their chocolatey gifts. This year a number of the eggs were provided thanks to a small financial gift of one of their members who died very recently, and she was remembered with thanksgiving during the service.
This year, the service was led by the Synod Moderator, the Revd Steve Faber. He remarked during worship, “What a generous lot you all are! I think there might be a few eggs given today, but I feel quite overwhelmed at the amount you have given.” The Moderator led the church in prayer, thanking God for the congregation’s generosity, and praying for all who would receive an egg or other treat, that they would both appreciate the tangible expression of love and also have cause to think of the Easter story – eggs are associated with Easter as a sign of the stone rolled away from the tomb, and the hope of new life that Christ’s resurrection offers. The eggs will be donated to a local women’s refuge and to others known in the area who would not otherwise receive an Easter Egg, or be able to afford one. Voluntary Chaplaincy Assistant at Keele University
Keele University are currently advertising a 1 year vacancy for a Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant to join Keele University Chaplaincy team for the academic year 2025/2026. It's an exciting opportunity which would suit a student who would value a gap year working in a chaplaincy context and for any young person who wants to explore their Christian vocation. It's a full time volunteer post with accommodation and a living allowance provided. For more details there is an information pack, which includes the Person Specification and Task Description, as well as an application form on the Keele Chapel Webpage
Please feel free to share details with anyone who you think might be interested in applying. Completed forms are to be received by email and the closing date is 12 noon Friday 16th May 2025. Induction of Tessa Henry-Robinson as Free Churches’ Group Moderator
On Palm Sunday (April 13) at 6.30pm, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson will be inducted as Moderator of the Free Churches’ Group at the American International Church, Tottenham Court Road, London.
Tickets are free (but required because of the venue), and can be reserved here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1277875783869?aff=oddtdtcreator Marking the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed of 325 ADThe Nicene Creed was the Church's response to Emperor Constantine's question "what do Christians believe?" It was first drafted by all of the Church leaders (Bishops) in AD 325. This was the first time that many had gathered together; even beyond the bounds of the Roman Empire.
The Nicene Creed was the first common statement made by a representative gathering of the whole Church. The Nicene Creed was (and is) open to many interpretations and understandings, but it was a start. 1700 years later, the Church is being asked if and/or how would they respond to this historic statement today. We invoke the Nicene Creed every time we read the Statement of the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church at Ordination and Induction Services. The New Testament encourages us to "always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15), and also to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). In response to this, Emmanuel Church (Methodist & United Reformed) Redditch is hosting an ecumenical occasion of Worship Together, around the Nicene Creed, in collaboration with Churches Together in Redditch. The Service will be at Emmanuel Church Redditch on Trinity Sunday 15th June 2025 at 3.30 p.m., using the 2025 Liturgy for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity prepared on behalf of the World Council of Churches and the Catholic Church, marking the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed (325 -2025). Our Synod Moderator, Revd Steve Faber, has agreed to take part in this service with Revd Novette Headley (Chair, Birmingham District of the Methodist Church. Bishop Mike Royal (General Secretary, Churches Together in England) will preside at the Service. The preacher will be Revd Dr Susan Durber (World Council of Churches President from Europe). It is a great honour for our small town of Redditch to look forward to welcoming these very special friends to encourage us and lead us in this occasion of Worship Together. For information and further details, please email Revd John Marsh: [email protected] John Marsh 08 10 2024 environment mattersEnvironment Matters:
Synod Eco Team:
Resources for Lent and beyond:
Eco Church:
Grants:
Being missional today conferenceI’m delighted to let you know of a stimulating, ecumenical day conference on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, at Coventry Cathedral.
Being Missional Today is a festival of missional thinking exploring the impact of disruptions in church and world, the liminality of this current season, and the role of reconciliation practices. We’ll be welcoming 22 different speakers, mostly published authors, with Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani and Revd Dr Al Barrett headlining. The gathering is sponsored jointly by the Church Urban Fund, Coventry Cathedral, the Iona Community and Reconciliation Initiatives, with RI handling the ticket sales and core organisation. Conference highlights:
Please would you help publicise this event in your synod mailings over the next four months? We would be grateful if so. Discounted tickets The conference will have four different streams running through the course of the day. Participants will therefore need to choose between the offerings. One way to cover the hard choices is to send a group, so that all the seminars and sessions can be covered and the learnings disseminated. To facilitate this, we’re offering: · a discount for a group of 5 or more from the same organisation, when tickets are bought as a group. Groups of 5 save £10 per ticket - £65 instead of full price £75; · A further discount for groups of 10 or more. See here or contact Becky Gaskin for further details. Being Missional Today promises to be a thought-provoking event for those looking for inspiration in the missional challenges facing UK churches today, offering inspiration for all who work to realize more of God’s realm on earth. We’d be glad to welcome a group from the West Midlands Synod on 10 June. Groups of over 5 receive a discount, so please mention if you are part of a group over 5 and are interested in going. You are encouraged to apply for a Synod grant to help with the costs. Simply visit the Synod website to contact Melanie for application forms. Thank you! (From WM Synod: If you don’t have a big enough group from your church or pastorate, can you let us know so that we can put people in touch with each other to form a group of 5 or more, or 10 or more? Thanks.) Revd Dr Alastair McKay" 50:50 appeal
The West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church has a long-standing partnership with the Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India. The Diocese operate several projects to protect people from human trafficking. India has one of the highest rates of trafficking in the world, and two-thirds of trafficked people in the country are women and girls. The Diocese is in the state of West Bengal, close to several international borders. Much of West Bengal is very rural, which makes the work of the traffickers much easier.
In 2017, thanks to a generous bequest from a Lay Preacher in the West Midlands, an existing safe house in a village near Malda was extended and named the “Colin Choyce Hostel” after the benefactor. Today, that safe house accommodates 20 girls, providing for their food, clothing, and education. It costs around £2500 per year to run the hostel and care for the girls. We are looking for at least fifty local churches and individuals to give £50 each to meet that target. That’s the equivalent of just £1 per week to safeguard these girls and give them the chance to meet their hopes and aspirations for the future – a future that would have been beyond their reach without the Colin Choyce hostel. Ideally, each donor (individual or local church) will commit to supporting this appeal for five years, accepting that circumstances may change and your ability to continue funding may not be possible. A longer-term commitment will help the Diocese plan and know exactly how many girls they can house and care for in each hostel. The Synod Moderator the Revd Steve Faber, the Revd Elaine Hutchinson, Margaret Marshall and Sian Eaton visited Durgapur in February 2025 and saw the life-changing work being carried out by the Diocese. The Colin Choyce hostel is one of several we visited, as well as seeing some “livelihood” projects that help develop skills and provide micro-finance to let young adults, still vulnerable to traffickers, start a small business to provide financial independence. If, as we hope we will, we exceed the minimum £2500 annual target, additional funds will be given to the Diocese to support other hostels and anti-trafficking projects. How much is a life worth to you? How much are 20 (or more) lives worth? For the equivalent of £1.00 per week, together we can safeguard dozens of vulnerable girls and women and help them find a future. Will you become one of at least 50 donors to this appeal? Individuals who pay UK income tax can gift aid their donation to increase its value to the Diocese, or they can gift aid a contribution towards a local church’s collective donation. Gifts can then be sent to our dedicated fund via our Stewardship fundraising page, at United Reformed Church (West Midlands) Trust Ltd's page | Stewardship or scan the QR Code to give securely online. 
SYNOD "OFFICERS ON THE ROAD" DAY in lye, tues 25 march 2025YOUR INVITATION
to our first 2025 Synod Officers on the Road Day at The United Church Lye Upper High Street, Lye DY9 8LX Tuesday 25 March 2025, 10.30am-3.30pm
Induction of Rev Alison smith at oldfallings united reformed church
"It was good to induct Alison Smith to the Wolverhampton and Smestow Brook pastorate on Saturday. Alison is the second minister for the pastorate and will work alongside Andrew Mann-Ray." - West Midlands Synod Moderator, Rev Steve Faber.
Interview with the new children and youth development officer, helen Laird
1. What does the role of CYDO entail?
The role of the Children’s and Youth Development Officer is to support and encourage all the Churches within the Synod as they engage with the children and young people within their communities. 2.What drew you to the role of CYDO? I am excited by this position as I am passionate about enabling children and young people to hear about Jesus Christ, so that they will have the opportunity to decide to follow him for themselves. 3. Can you tell us more about your background? I am a Methodist and have been to Church all my life. I went to Girls Brigade and became a Boys Brigade Officer where I met my husband. I have two grown up children who both live near London, and we have an elderly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Tilly. I was employed by my home Church as their Children’s and Youth Worker for over 10 years, during which I studied for a degree in Children, Youth, Mission and Ministry. I then became a Mission Enabler within the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District, and I then moved to become a Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Worcester with an emphasis on children and young people. During this time, I studied for a Master’s (again in Children, Youth, Mission and Ministry). I am a Godly Play practitioner; an Open the Book trainer and I write resources for Roots and Messy Church. God has been using me within children’s and youth work for over 33 years and yet I am still learning, and I look forward to travelling with you as we learn how best to serve the Children and young people in your communities. 4. Do you have any exciting testimonies or stories to share that link to your role? As you know those that sow seeds do not always get to reap. However, as a Church we have grown our numbers through a youth group. I always gave out toddler Bibles when our toddlers left for school, one Mum contacted me (via Facebook) to let me know her daughter was doing so well in RE (now in year 5) because she had read the Bible I had given, I am sure they weren’t all read. However, for this one child it started her on a journey with God. Find out more about Revd Melanie Smith, our new training and development Officer and pastoral consultant
Hello from the desk of your new Training and Development Officer and Pastoral Consultant, Melanie Smith. Just a little about myself. I am married to Mark Meatcher, who is our minister at Solihull and East Birmingham. I have been a URC minister since 2012, serving in Southend, Enfield (north London), and then in Fiji as the Director of the Centre for Gender and Social Justice at the Pacific Theological College as part of the Council for World Mission’s Partners in Mission programme. That last role is quite a mouthful and was an incredible experience. Before all this, my main career was as a Chartered Accountant here in the West Midlands. I came to the West Midlands as the Assistant Warden at the Community for Reconciliation and my last job was as a Regional Development Officer based in Birmingham for Christian Aid, before training at Westminster College, Cambridge. The rest? Hopefully we’ll have many opportunities to get to know each other. I am happy to visit to preach, particularly if we can add on a short discussion on training and development over coffee or lunch after the service! Or, if you have training needs for yourself or your church, please drop me a line and I’ll see what we can do. I might also be able to help with funding and grants!
The Stepwise course continues to have a positive impact on its participants. Do watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT6aQLf5ZGI and contact me if you have any questions or are interested in joining a group. Racial Justice Sunday is on the 9th of February. Materials are available here: https://ctbi.org.uk/racial-justice-sunday-9-february-2025/ This year is an important one for racial justice on these shores as it marks the 30th anniversary of RJS. RJS was established by the Methodist Church in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London in April 1993. If you cannot mark the day on the 9th, the materials are a treasure trove to be dipped into at any time. Commitment for Life Lay Preachers Event 2-3 April 2025 Luther King House – free! See attachment. Dates for Lay Presidency at the Sacraments Training (initial and refresher) will be notified shortly. Blessings, Melanie With just over a week to go till Christmas Day, where many of us are looking forward to spending time with family members that we don't see often, the Revd Steve Faber, Moderator of West Midlands Synod, offers this prayer.RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY 2025:
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Each year ZION Langley Green makes an appeal for toys to send to the Sandwell Womens Refuge which supports families fleeing domestic violence. This year we also put this appeal out on social media. We were delighted to receive such an amazing response from members of our Church family but also from the wider community. We were blessed by such generosity.
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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
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 advice
The 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.
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.
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COmmonwealth games
The 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.
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BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS OF SANCTUARY
Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary were out in force on Monday 21st March to form a human chain at The Church at Carrs Lane in response to the call by Together With Refugees to create an Orange Landmark Day all across the country. Birmingham schools were given invaluable support by Cllr John Cotton, and joined and supported by Revd Cristina Cipriani, one of the ministers of The Church at Carrs Lane. The church, a URC/Methodist LEP in Birmingham City Centre, runs a monthly welcome event for local asylum seekers and refugees in initial accommodation, and is part of the Lift The Ban movement.
Broadway moves forward with eco-churchRecent Bronze Eco-Church award winners, Broadway URC (Worcestershire) are encouraging other users of their premises to think about following their example to improve their environmental impact. This display reflects the Synod principles of refusing to buy what's not necessary and rejecting excess packaging, reducing purchases and avoiding single-use plastics wherever possible, re-using items instead of throwing them away, repairing things that are broken and recycling as the last option and always in preference to sending waste to landfill. What will your church do to share a similar message to people outside your congregation? Broadway would also welcome further ideas to make the best use of this noticeboard.
News from the diocese of duRgapur - April 28 2021We've been horrified at the scale of the second wave of the pandemic affecting India - over a third of a million new cases are being reported every day, and over 200,000 deaths overall so far.
We've had news from the Diocese of Durgapur, our world Church partner. Bishop Sameer Isaac Khimla writes, Warm Greetings from the Diocese. Thank you for your mail and your assured prayer support for all of us. We do need all your prayers. The situation in India and here in Durgapur is not very good. The Corona Tsunami if one could say that has left all of us paralysed. There is immense suffering as the medical and social infrastructure struggles to cope with the pandemic. From the Diocese office would like to inform you that two of our staff Tarun and Atin have tested Covid positive. They both are in home isolation and treatment; as it is no longer easy to get a hospital bed with the overwhelming numbers. Please continue to pray for them as well as Mr.Banerjee our Accountant who has recovered but is extremely weak to resume duties. We are all in prayers as the situation is grim here and hoping and praying for God's grace and mercies. Personally further I have lost good friends, acquaintances in the past couple of weeks. The Church has also lost many ministers both Pastors and Bishops in this period. We are assured that you continue to be with us in spirit and prayers and believe that this too shall pass. Deacon Ruth Pugh who has taught music to children through the Diocese for many years has told us that, "when the [Diocesan Child Study and Development Centres] are shut the teachers are still in contact with students and their families. The DCSDC, who have a much more spread out set of students [than government schools] have a Whatsapp group and Zoom meeting with them." However, many of the poorest children have little or no access to technology for home-schooling and have largely uneducated parents who cannot support home schooling. There are huge issues also with access to fast internet and uninterrupted power supplies in rural areas - things that we increasingly take for granted. The Diocese also writes that the pandemic has caused widespread unemployment, and poverty is increasing across the country. They write, "So it is our request that you kindly reconsider about the situation and support us with your contributions, so that we can together pave the way for a better and brighter future for these underprivileged children. Just as in Psalm 127: 3 it says, “Behold Children Are A Heritage from the Lord, the Fruit of the Womb A Reward”, it is our duty and our responsibility to preserve our heritage so that they can stand as an exquisite exception in the society. You have to pay online: Minimum US$250 or UK£160." If you currently sponsor a child in India through the Diocese of Durgapur, please continue to do so, but you will need to make payments through a new bank account because of a a change in banking regulations in India. The new account details are available on request from Margaret Marshall or the Synod Office. We've also heard from Khristiya Neva Niketan Hospital which is run by the DIocese: "Things are not very bright here. Already three of our staff members are diagnosed positive. Because of the magnitude of the problem, the government with all possibility will ask us to have separate covid unit. Announcement has been made in this regard, we are waiting for government order. We have very limited facility of oxygen and critical care equipment." You can provide practical support if you have an Amazon account in the UK by following this link: amzn.in/60DmxyO This will take you to KSN's "wish list" for supplies, which will be delivered directly to the hospital. The current exchange rate means that 1 rupee is about 1 penny, so an item costing R100 will cost you about £1.00. Guidance from the Moderators on re-opening church buildingsThe Synod Moderators have issued guidance to help churches consider the question of when they might re-open church buildings for in-person worship. The document below gives the guidance in full. In summary: don't rush! Consider safety as the paramount factor. Make sure everything is in place with an updated Risk Assessment AND implement the mitigations - it's not enough to say "we've filled in the form, put up some signs and made hand sanitiser available"! In almost every case, opening for Easter Sunday will be too soon. The guidance explains why we have that view.
URC BLack history monthly
Monday 15 March, 7:30pm - The Kairos Document
One of the key church documents from the heart of the freedom struggle in South Africa, the Kairos Document, produced back in 1985 & 1986, has had a rich afterlife in other freedom struggles. Does it have helpful resonances with the situation in the UK today as we try to respond to Black Lives Matter? Let’s re-read it and discuss it for ourselves. The text of the Kairos Document will be available on the URC website… Zoom joining instructions available from Virginia Becher (Synod Racial Justice Advocate) or by emailing [email protected] 
THE WALL OF ANSWERED PRAYER
is a national landmark that's being built in Coleshill, Birmingham, built with a million bricks with each brick representing an answer to prayer, and for each brick in The Wall we will put a brick into social housing which will build about a hundred houses. Here are two videos that explain a little more about The Wall of Answered Prayer: Ten things you may not know about The Wall Heavenly Land Download an Answered Prayer form and 15 Ways You Can Help The Wall, as well as the launch brochure. If you could encourage your churches and connections to share their stories of answered prayer with us that would be great. Please do not hesitate to contact Helen should you have any questions, and if you wish to be kept up to date with the monthly email, just drop a line. Helen Roxborough Assistant to CEO [email protected] VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Ray Davison a member of Ansty Road URC Coventry won ‘Volunteer of the Year award’ At University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust OSCARs night (Outstanding Service And Care Awards) It was said of Ray on the night:- Volunteer Chaplain Ray is a hugely valued member of the team who continually goes the extra mile in his role. His nomination noted his amazing commitment to patients when they are most in need. This included visiting patients at Christmas time to ensure they are doing okay and showing great compassion by staying late to support those who may need him, including the dying, even it is just to hold their hand. The team receives constant praise for Ray, not just from patients but from families who are so grateful that he is there to offer their comfort in their time of need. The Chaplaincy Team & the URC is proud to have Ray amongst its’ number | |||
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
STEPWISE RESOURCES
Discipleship resources from the URC
NEW LAY PREACHERS
Information of those who are commissioned within the Synod is to be found on the Lay Preachers page.
Information of those who are commissioned within the Synod is to be found on the Lay Preachers page.
