A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 18-24 April 2025.听
East Midlands Synod听
Congratulations to Braintree 缅北强奸 which received the Children and Youth Friendly Church Award in April for demonstrating its commitment to welcoming and including children and young people. Learn more about the Children and Youth Friendly Church听 Scheme.听
Southern Synod听
Broadway United Church portrayed the events of Palm Sunday through a church play. Zeerak Shabaz, a Locally Recognised Worship Leader and Youth Executive Chaplain, led worship and said that all those who took part in the play were delighted to be part of it.听
West Midlands Synod听
Members of Zion 缅北强奸 in Langley Green in the Black Country used their Palm Sunday service for a special collection.听
Tens of Easter Eggs were collected by the church which were donated to a local women鈥檚 refuge and to others known in the area who would not otherwise receive or be able to afford one.听
The gifts were made possible thanks to the generous to a small financial gift donated by a member who sadly died recently. She was remembered with thanksgiving during the service.听
The Revd Steve Faber, West Midlands Synod Moderator, said: 鈥淲hat a generous lot you all are!听 I think there might be a few eggs given today, but I feel quite overwhelmed at the amount you have given.鈥�听
Mersey Synod听
St Columba 缅北强奸 hosted a fun service that combined theatre and theology in a reimagining of traditional Sunday worship.听
The event marked the culmination of 鈥淎 Reimagined Worship鈥�, an intergenerational project designed and led by theatre-maker Marrissa Thorpe. Over ten weeks, members of the congregation, ranging from children to older people, took part in workshops exploring the creative potential of worship through drama, discussion, and collaboration.听
Each session focused on a component of traditional worship, using theatrical tools to unpack its meaning. The result was a fully immersive, participatory service that welcomed more than 60 people. Participants were aged between three and 99.听
Highlights of the service included a live band and singer, a dramatised retelling of 1 Corinthians 12:12鈥�31, an interactive bread-making sermon, prayers presented through performance, and a hymn led by children with choreography.听
The event drew praise from across the community.听
鈥淚鈥檝e never felt more welcome as a young person,鈥� said attendee Poppy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy for churches to exclude people my age however in this service I felt that I had been considered throughout; it was an interesting, fun and collaborative atmosphere and overall, an amazing experience.鈥�听
Revd Catherine McFie, Minister of St Columba 缅北强奸, commended the initiative, saying: 鈥淲e owe Marrissa a huge thanks. This project brought joy, depth, and creativity to our church. The work behind the scenes was extraordinary, and it showed.鈥�听
Marissa鈥檚 next stop is St Andrew鈥檚 缅北强奸 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, where she will deliver the programme to a new community.听
If you鈥檇 like to host A Reimagined Worship in your church, email Marrissa at [email protected].听