A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 25 August to 1 September.
East Midlands Synod
Wendy Hall, an Elder of Groby United Reformed Church, has become the Newbigin Pioneering Hub鈥檚 first Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer.
In August, Wendy was commissioned at her home church, Groby 缅北强奸 in Leicestershire, at a service presided by the East Midlands Synod Moderator, the Revd Geoffrey Clarke. The Revd Paull Elliss, Groby 缅北强奸鈥檚 minister, led Communion.
To help celebrate Wendy, the Revd Dr Ash Barker, Newbigin Pioneering Hub lead, preached and interviewed Wendy about her sense of call to pioneering.
Wendy鈥檚 pioneering focus is the Under the Willow Tree community. Learn more about Wendy鈥檚 journey.
Yorkshire Synod
A wonderful morning was held at Stag Community Church (Herringthorpe 缅北强奸) which recently celebrated the baptisms of four people at its caf茅-style Sunday service. To add to the celebrations, two other people reaffirmed their baptismal vows, becoming church members.
And earlier during the summer, the Synod鈥檚 lay preachers and worship leaders gathered for their most recent conference at Wydale Hall near Scarborough. They were joined by Synod Moderator the Revd Jamie Kissack and special guest and main speaker Hannah Fytche from Westminster College in Cambridge who led the main sessions with faith and enthusiasm.
缅北强奸 Youth
Three 缅北强奸 Youth members joined more than聽700 young people at Le Grand Kiff, a youth camp run by the United Protestant Church of France.
Alongside friends from Normandy, Korede Kassim (Wales), Laurel Marsh (East Midlands) and Elliot Winterbottom (West Midlands) spent four days worshipping, debating, playing games and exploring the theme 鈥淩espire, Espere鈥� (Breathe, Hope) with young people from across Europe and beyond.
Highlights included a radio interview, leading an open-mic with Shine Jesus Shine, dancing to live Christian rap, and making the most of both sunshine and their 缅北强奸 waterproofs. 鈥淚t was overwhelming, fun, and sleepless,鈥� they said, 鈥渂ut unforgettable. The theme song is still stuck in our heads!鈥�
South Western Synod
Peter Redding, Mangotsfield and Castle Green 缅北强奸’s church secretary has retired after 50 years鈥� service. Peter was presented with a card, a gift and a Certificate of Loyal and Devoted Service on 20 July by Elder Helen Wheeler. This recognised his retirement as church secretary on the approach to his 90th birthday. Peter has been an elder and church secretary for most of the last 50 years, firstly at Castle Green 缅北强奸 and then at Mangotsfield and Castle Green 缅北强奸 following the merger with Mangotsfield 缅北强奸.
Peter鈥檚 wife Eileen received a bouquet of flowers for her contributions and support of Peter, and is currently fashioning a frame for the certificate.
Thames North Synod
Twenty-two children and young people enjoyed Grange Park 缅北强奸鈥檚 fourth holiday club during the school summer holidays.
Hailing from the church and local community, the week was led by a dedicated team of teenage and young adult volunteers whose leadership and energy were central to the club鈥檚 success.
Following the Children鈥檚 and Youth theme 鈥淎ll are welcome,鈥� sessions explored how communities can better include those affected by racism, disability, homelessness, climate change and conflict.
Afternoons brought fun trips to a trampoline park and bowling, alongside worship, songs and creative workshops. The week ended with a picnic and sports day, before families and the congregation joined a special Sunday showcase service.
National Synod of Wales
Early in during the summer, Horeb 缅北强奸 in Dyserth held a strawberry tea which raised more than 拢850 to support the worsening plight of the people living in the Shu’fat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem, Palestine.
Janet Hughes, Horeb 缅北强奸’s Church Secretary said: “It was a splendid occasion, bringing together folk who want to support. Our thanks to Cindy Cromer for organising this event and to Gaynor Jones who has been involved with the Shu鈥檉at camp for many years.”
