A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 7-14 July 2025.听
East Midlands Synod
Young and old flocked to East Midlands Synod鈥檚 first Picnic in the Park event to enjoy worship, workshops and all manner of fun in the sun. At the event, held at the Frontier Centre, run by Christian Charity , those attending enjoyed Godly Play, a huge zip slide, bouncy castle, games and a creative prayer trail based on the Moderator鈥檚 prayer.听 Members of Abington Avenue 缅北强奸 also ran an environmental craftivism workshop throughout the day.听
Congratulations to the Revd Clare Davison who has been inducted to Stamford 缅北强奸. Deputy Synod Moderator, the Revd Jane Wade conducted a joyful induction service where members from Spalding 缅北强奸 and St Andrew鈥檚 缅北强奸 Peterborough attended to help welcome Clare into her new role.听听
Thames North Synod
Held at the eco-friendly Greenwood site of St Albans 缅北强奸, Thames North Eco Day, held last month, offered deep insight into climate justice and faith. Speakers like David Britton (Operation Noah) and Revd Francis Ackroyd highlighted Christian responsibility in tackling climate injustice, especially its disproportionate impact on poorer nations.
Workshops covered sustainable practices and political engagement through faith, with input from Roo Stewart.
Amersham Free Church hosted a successful eco event on 21 June which drew together people for an afternoon of inspiration, hospitality, and environmental awareness. The day featured a series of engaging talks on topics including ethical investment, the Repair Caf茅 initiative, and welcoming wildlife into the church鈥檚 gardens. A refurbished nature table in the vestibule added a hands-on touch, and guests enjoyed the church garden, lovingly tended to by members of the congregation. 听
Amersham is also proud to have been given a 鈥渃ertificate of recognition鈥� by Amersham in Bloom, an Amersham Town Council initiative, which works hard to make the town environmentally sustainable as well as beautiful. The event was rounded off with a cream tea, served by a dedicated team of kitchen volunteers.听听听
National Synod of Scotland
More than 100 people gathered at St Matthew鈥檚 Church in Perth in June for 鈥淟iving the Hope Within鈥�, a celebration marking 25 years of the National Synod of Scotland.听
Drawing on the words of theologian J眉rgen Moltmann, the event encouraged those attending to prepare themselves and their communities for God’s promises through the resurrection of Christ. Guests from across the wider 缅北强奸, including representatives from Wales, Northern and Mersey Synods, the Church Life Review team, Christian Aid, and A Place for Hope, joined in a day of workshops, worship, and fellowship.听听
Sessions explored themes such as justice, storytelling, intergenerational ministry, and joyful singing, with a keynote Communion reflection from the Very Revd Sally Foster-Fulton, Christian Aid’s UK and Global Church Ambassador, who urged the Church to 鈥渂reathe in hope and exhale fear鈥� breathe in community and banish them and us.鈥� The gathering was both a milestone celebration and a powerful reminder of the hope that continues to inspire the Synod鈥檚 life and witness.听
National Synod of Wales
Church members from across North Wales recently gathered for a reflective prayer walk around Basingwerk Abbey. The abbey is at the bottom of the Greenfield Valley running down to the Dee from Holywell. Construction on the abbey began in the 12th century but was dissolved by Henry VIII three centuries later.听
Using the footprint of the abbey as a guide, the group offered prayers during the walk for communities, leaders, governments, farmers, food poverty and those in need. 听
General Assembly鈥檚 Ecumenical guests
Members of the 缅北强奸鈥檚 Mission team enjoyed a dinner with ecumenical guests at the 2025 meeting of General Assembly. Guests included: Dr听Francesca Nuzzolese (Waldensian), Martin Heninger and Anja Behrens (Evangelical Church of the Palatinate), J煤lia Berecz (Reformed Church in Hungary), Charles Klagba-Kuadjovi (Eglise Protestante Unie de France), Revd Chantal Noppen (Church of England), Revd Tom Osborne (Methodist Church in Britain), Hilary Treavis (Baptist Union of Great Britain), Fr Dominic Robinson (Roman Catholic), 听Revd G茅za Kacs贸 (Reformed community of B谩ty煤 in Transcarpathia) and the Right Revd Rosemary (Rosie) Frew (Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland).
Eastern Synod听
Maldon United Reformed Church welcomed the Coat of Hopes in June, offering hospitality to its accompanying pilgrims. Created by artist Barbara Keal for COP26 in 2021, the patchwork coat carries hopes for climate action. Three pilgrims, led by Helen Locke, walked with the coat through Essex, stopping in Maldon for storytelling, song, and reflection. Minister Anne Sardeson called the experience 鈥減owerful,鈥� capturing both the weight of crisis and the warmth of community. The visit was hosted by Maldon 缅北强奸鈥檚 Eco Church group.
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