Having first turned inward, and then looked at the cost of radical compassion, she then ventured into mystic territory. Which does not mean that it is abstract, she said, but that it is sacred. It is about not just giving care but embodying it; becoming those in whom the love of Christ takes visible form. ��

Her text was the words of Paul in Galatians: “It is no longer I that live, but Christ who lives in me.” Paul, to use Jungian terms, she said, was the archetype of identity shift, of the wounded healer, of the painful journey. His words here are a description of radical transformation. Something in him has died. This is a challenging idea. We often think we have put something in us to death, only to find it rises up again the next day. ��

Conversion and baptism are about surrendering the ego, said Dr Nuzzolese, our deepest attachment, the self that seeks to please and control and protect. This surrender lets another kind of self-emerge in its place, one that seeks to be known by God. ��

Thomas Merton, a mystic monk, talked of the false self we create in response to fear and wounds and the true self given us by God. We develop a false self-early in life, to survive. We think it is us, but it is not. The false self cannot truly love, only the true self hidden in God. I can only find myself in God. ��

The true self doesn’t begin with work but with simple presence, Dr Nuzzolese said. This concept was very much alive in the early church. The desert fathers and mothers were teachers of perfect love, which is not a destination but a process of consent, day by day, moment by moment. We become more loving not by trying, but by allowing God’s love to meet us, in surrender. ��

Dr Nuzzolese posed questions for members of Assembly. What in me needs to die so that Christ’s love can live fully? How can peace and justice come without radical change in the way we relate to those closest to us? True forgiveness is not a matter of��words, but making space in our heart for another, for those who we find as a threat. ��

How does the true self emerge? It is a process that involves a lot of grace. ��

She commended daily spiritual practice: “It tells our brain that it’s worth it.”��

Dying is a hard sad word, she concluded, but the death of old self is good, brings freedom, liberates inner space for all God has for us. You don’t have to get it right, just be open. God says, “You are loved. Let me live in you.”��

Session twelve

Remaindered Business��

No papers were remaindered during this session, so the Moderator invited comments about the Church Life Review (CLR) process and other topics.������

One queried why Ministers of Word and Sacrament had been mentioned twice in the Church Life Review update, but not Church Related Community Workers.�� The Revd Steve Faber responded that he could not recall where either form of ministry had been mentioned and reminded Assembly of the Theos Report which had commended the CRCW ministry. Steve said that all forms of ministry are loved and valued in the �山ǿ��.��

A query was received about how and when local churches would receive information about the CLR so that they can prepare for November’s General Assembly.�� Steve pointed to channels such as News Update, the �山ǿ��’s monthly national e-newsletter and Reform magazine as communications channels to help keep local churches and Assembly members prepare for November’s Assembly.������

A member of the CLR steering group shared that a video is currently in preparation about the Church Life Review which can be used for every local church, not just at Synod meetings.������

An ecumenical guest asked if she could have a short history of the CLR process to help understand it.�� It is understood that relevant information will be share with ecumenical colleagues.��Those wanting to keep updated about the Church Life Review process can visit the dedicated page on the �山ǿ��’s national website.

Inclusive Church��
The Revd Chantel Noppen, National Coordinator of Inclusive Church, a network of churches and individuals to support��more inclusivity and accessibility in local churches, then addressed Assembly and advised how people can find out more information about it. .��

Deletion from the Roll
The Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary, updated Assembly on the Discipline process.�� He advised that since Assembly last met, one discipline case had concluded which has resulted in the removal of Mr Naison Hove from the Roll of Ministers.��Costs for the case amounted to��£40,877.��

Moderator-Elect
The Revd Neil Thorogood, who has been elected Moderator-Elect 2025-2026, to serve as General Assembly Moderator 2026-2027, was invited to address the Assembly.��

He described the role as an “awesome honour and daunting responsibility” and said it carried for him “a host of meanings”. [Neil’s father was a General Secretary of the United Reformed Church.]��

Neil thanked those who are supporting him into the role, including his family, and also his congregations of Trinity-Henleaze and Thornbury in Bristol “who have joined me in this adventure and to live into the consequences together”. ��

Neil recalled some of the classes he taught at Westminster College, Cambridge, where “we spoke of the reality of the life of faith, and the life of ministry, which constantly means we do not know what we are doing.” He said, “we are brought into situations to discover who we are.” New situations beckon us into “an unknown possibility”, in which we improvise, discover, risk, and sometimes stumble. “Sometimes we make a wonderful fool of ourselves.” ��

Acknowledging we are living into times of enormous change, Neil said that in some of this we will see a nice clear path through, and at other times will wonder why there is a dead end.��

Neil said that “all of that is what this moment feels for me” but that “Jesus is just a step ahead. He looks over his head and says, follow me.”��

The Moderator-Elect concluded, saying “the wonderful thing about grace is that we get to share this together in faith, hope and love.”��

General Assembly responded to Mr Thorogood’s statement with warm applause.��

Address to the throne

The Revd Tim Meadows, General Assembly Moderator 2024-2025, delivered the Address to the Throne to Assembly, after which Assembly voted to approve the Address.�� It was then signed by the Moderator and Clerk and sent to the King.

The ‘Address to the Throne’ is a regular feature of General Assembly business. It might feel outdated, especially with the formal language used in the short introduction. It may seem essential to some of us. To the ardent republicans amongst us, it might seem entirely dispensable.

However, whether our head of state has their position by birth or through an election, this Address is an opportunity for the �山ǿ�� to present an alternate view of society, to tell the chief representative of our country what the �山ǿ�� cares about, and what we are aiming to do as a people seeking God together. It points the way, we hope, to Christ and a coming kin-dom of justice and joy.

Each year, the Address is sent to the King’s Private Secretary, and we request that it is “laid before the King”. Shortly afterwards, we receive a response from the Private Secretary, thanking us for our communication on the King’s behalf. We have no way of knowing if it ever reaches the eyes or ears of the King, or if the King would even miss it if we didn’t send one(!), but we have hope that the heartbeat of the �山ǿ�� and the call of God on us will be evident in its words for any and all who read it.

This year’s address reads as folows:

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty:��

The General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, meeting in Derbyshire, sends loyal greetings to Your Majesty. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Creator and Christ Jesus our Lord.��

We recognise with thankfulness the impact of your steadfast and committed leadership on our nation and around the world, representing values of community, caring for the environment and empowering young people as leaders for today and tomorrow, while also encouraging faith and faith groups amid growing secularisation.��

In a time of much change and global uncertainty, the United Reformed Church is reviewing and adapting its working to ensure we continue to be faithful in our calling to worship God, to witness to the good news of Jesus Christ and to work for justice for all people and creation.��

Up and down the country, through parties and through prayers, United Reformed Church congregations joined with the nation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The harrowing realities of war and destruction still raging not far from our shores, in Ukraine and the Middle East, and across the globe, still weigh heavily upon us.��

We have listened to and amplified the voices of those enduring grief, trauma and terrible hardship due to conflict. The generosity shown by �山ǿ�� members through our appeals for Ukraine, Gaza and Myanmar has enabled essential help and support to be given to many who have been impacted, offered alongside our friendship, solidarity and prayers.��

With several governments, including the Government of the United Kingdom, sadly reducing their commitment to international aid, the �山ǿ��’s global justice programme, Commitment for Life, continues its collaborative partnerships in Bangladesh, in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and in Zimbabwe, in coordination with Christian Aid, and extends support to communities in Ghana, Jamaica, Lebanon, Syria and beyond. The United Reformed Church was honoured to take part in Christian Aid’s 80th anniversary celebrations at Westminster Abbey this year, affirming a shared commitment to global justice and solidarity with communities around the world.��

The General Assembly of the United Reformed Church this year has been privileged to host ecumenical guests from Ukraine, Hungary, Italy, Germany, France, as well as the Church of Scotland, Church of England, Methodist Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain representatives, with whom we share much in common. The opportunity to listen to and learn from our Christian siblings, to support them and collaborate with them remains an essential part of our life and work.��

We have voiced our support for the World Council of Churches statement of 24 June calling for an end to apartheid, occupation, and impunity in Palestine and Israel. The �山ǿ�� is unequivocal in standing against antisemitism and Islamophobia and has emphasised that our condemnation of the Israeli government and its military is in no way directed at the nation of Israel nor Jewish people. We are calling for a peaceful resolution to the continuing conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.��

Fundamental to all that we do is our belief that every person is created in the image of God and therefore possesses inherent worth and dignity. Following the example of Jesus, who sat with the richest and poorest in society, who valued young and older people, who challenged systems of oppression and othering, who embraced the sick, the dying and those who have been marginalised, and who calls peacemakers ‘blessed’, we will seek to speak good news and to be good news for our neighbours near and far.��

As we develop this work, we wish to assure Your Majesty of our prayers for health, wisdom and good courage as you exercise your responsibilities and commitments to serve and lead the nation through your voice, your presence and your example before the world.��

“Wait on the Lord:
be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen your heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14��

Learn more about the history behind the Address to the Throne.����

Towards the end of the meeting, General Assembly sung a resounding rendition of 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord).

Closing worship, including the induction of Catriona Wheeler, General Assembly Moderator, 2025-2026��

The Revd Mark Robinson introduced and welcomed Irish Sirmons as the new Convenor of Business Committee, and the Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Moderator of East Midlands Synod, delivered a sermon entitled “Faith when there are flames and empy nets” during the closing act of worship.

The induction of Catriona Wheeler, a lay member of the �山ǿ��, as General Assembly Moderator 2025-2026, followed. Catriona was nominated to the role by the East Midlands Synod.

“Will you undertake to exercise your ministry in accordance with the statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church? ��

“I will, and all these things I profess and promise in the power of the Holy Spirit.”��

With this induction affirmation, followed by promises by members of the General Assembly and prayers, Catriona Wheeler was inducted as the Moderator of the General Assembly 2025-2026, during an act of worship at the close of the 2025 General Assembly. The service was led by the new Moderator’s Chaplain, the Revd Jane Wade, Minister of Abington Avenue �山ǿ�� and the Northampton Area Churches Partnership. Jane also serves as Deputy Moderator of the East Midlands Synod. ��

The Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Moderator of the East Midlands Synod, gave the charge during the Induction of Catriona. ��

The sermon reminded the Assembly of its dissenting roots, the weight of empty nets and the grace that calls us beyond comfort. ��

The members of your East Midlands Synod family are delighted in your appointment and will seek to pray for you and encourage you in this important role, Geoffrey began. He used a trio of striking biblical images: a furnace, a fishing boat, and a charcoal fire. ��

��Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, standing before the threat of death, chose the costly act of dissent. Their refusal to kneel evoked the DNA of a church born from dissent: ministers ejected in 1662, voices raised in assemblies, Synods and church meetings throughout history. God’s presence was not outside the furnace, but within it. “Even in the furnace,” Geoffrey said, “God is with us.”��

To the Sea of Tiberias, where disciples returned from a night of fishing with nothing to show. Nets once full are now empty. Or congregations once bustling now flicker with fragility. Yet on that same shore, the call comes to cast the net anew. “We need to be humble enough to discern the voice of the One who urges us to throw our nets in another direction.” He invited a different courage. ��

At the charcoal fire, Peter meets the risen Christ. Here is the mercy that follows denial, the confidence that follows collapse. ��

A member’s words at a Church Meeting stood as a parable: “If we call this minister the church will change, and it will not be as I’d prefer it to be. That is precisely why I will be voting for the call.” Someone yielding to God’s disruptive call.��

The charge concluded with what is reported to be Francis Drake’s invocation to be disturbed: “When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little; disturb us, Lord.” It was an appeal not for reassurance but for disruption. ��

To the Moderator, and to the whole Assembly, the message is simple and searching. God is with us, in defiant faith that refuses to bow. God is with us, when the nets are empty, calling us in new directions. God is with us, offering forgiveness and commissioning us anew.��

The whole Church is invited to a faith that resists, reorients, and follows, even, and especially, when the way is unknown. ��

As part of the service, the Assembly read the Statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the �山ǿ��. ��

Inducting Catriona, the outgoing Moderator, the Revd Tim Meadows, declared: “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and representing the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church I declare Catriona to be inducted as Moderator of General Assembly.��May you continue to walk in the way of Christ, following in his footsteps.”��

Catriona signed the Bible of the General Assembly and was welcomed by the Assembly with warm applause. ��

About Catriona
Catriona Wheeler was elected as Moderator at the 2023 meeting of the General Assembly and will chair its November 2025 and July 2026 meetings. ��

Catriona was educated at Teesdale School, Barnard Castle, and read law at Birmingham University. An Elder and Church Secretary of Trinity United Reformed Church, Lincoln, Catriona has been the Legal Advisor to the East Midlands Synod of the �山ǿ�� since 1997, works as solicitor practising in the areas of commercial property, corporate law and charity law, and is a Notary Public.��

Her late grandfather and late mother were both �山ǿ�� Elders, as are both of her brothers.

Catriona conducts acts of worship and is authorised to preside at the Sacraments and is a Stepwise student. Catriona has held membership in churches across three synods, Northern, Yorkshire and East Midlands and serves as a director of East Midlands Synod Trust and Chair of the United Reformed Church Trust.��

Her hobbies include gentle cycling, with the objective of seeing places, choral singing with the Lincoln Choral society; K-dramas (Korean dramas), BTS (a South Korean band), knitting and crochet.��

In its nomination, East Midlands Synod said that it was delighted to make this nomination, “having benefitted from Catriona’s wisdom and clarity of thought in meetings and discussions on many occasions and in different situations. Her ability to crystalise the thinking of the room and her pastoral sensitivity to all aspects of an issue are among her great strengths.”��

Reporting team: Andy Jackson, Ann-Marie Nye, Steve Tomkins and Laurence Wareing. Video: Ann-Marie Nye. Photos: Kevin Snyman and Ann-Marie Nye.

The post General Assembly 2025: Day four round-up 7 July appeared first on United Reformed Church.

She invited members of Assembly to recreate holy silence they experienced yesterday: centre themselves, meet Jesus and reconnect with holy rest. ��

She explained that the care for oneself, which she described yesterday, is the first step of journey, not to be mistaken for destination. Our destination is care for our neighbour out of radical compassion. But not all of us manage this, including those in and training for pastoral ministry. Why? ��

Dr Nuzzolese suggested that the Old Testament directs us to compassion for the other quite narrowly defined: widows, orphans. Jesus, in contrast, stretches the definition to breaking point. Jesus calls us to move in compassion towards the other who threatens us. ��

We are wired to protect and to run away, not to move kindly towards danger. A few are able: Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Jesus.��

And the Samaritan in Jesus’ story. What enables him to cross boundary and move toward suffering? ��

In Christ we are seen, loved and healed. But, said Dr Nuzzolese, we see the limits of this in most people’s behaviour. Belief and practice are in tension. ��

Biblical seeing is not a glance, it is giving attention to someone, becoming attuned to them, comprehending them. This is what a parent does to a baby, and it can stop the baby crying. Something similar happens in therapy: being attuned to someone gives us power to communicate compassion, which leads to healing. She quoted the Christian mystic Simone Weil: ‘Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.’��

Jesus asks same of us, said Dr Nuzzolese. The Greek word that is translated ‘compassion’ in the story of the Good Samaritan describes a response at the level of the gut, the bowels. Empathy is not enough.��

The movement towards suffering reflects the image of God in us. It is what God does in Christ. Jesus moved with compassion moves towards the enemy.��

This movement, she said, requires inner resilience and spiritual maturity. It is not offered out of sense of duty but out of groundedness. ��

So why not normative, even for those being trained in pastoral care? Dr Nuzzolese suggested that some are not capable of it at a core human level. Woundedness can prevent us being attuned and stop us offering spiritual care without leaving the room sterile. Personal trauma can leave people too wounded to be healers. Anxiety and fear of attack can create unsafe spaces, maybe cause us to shut down. Spiritual fatigue, she said, can also leave a film over the eyes prevents the kind of seeing that leads to compassion. ��

For these reasons we need to cultivate spiritual practices, contemplation and safe relationships. So, Dr Nuzzolese again concluded by leading Assembly in receptive centred prayer.��

Session seven ��

At General Assembly 2025, the Revd Steve Faber, Convenor of the Church Life Review Steering Group, delivered a key presentation��updating members on the progress of the Church Life Review (CLR), now in Phase Two (design). ��

Phase Two of the CLR, was tasked by General Assembly in 2023 to focus on four workstreams. These consist of financial resource sharing (finance), provision of shared support services (services), employment of lay workers (lay workers), and new �山ǿ�� communities of worship and discipleship (new communities). ��

The report does not present any final proposals or resolutions but sets the stage for the extraordinary session in November 2025, where decisions will be made.��

The presentation showed the need for change within the wider challenges facing many Christian denominations across Europe, including declining membership, increased regulatory demands, and the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was acknowledged that many �山ǿ�� structures have remained largely unchanged since 1972, and that continuing “as is” is no longer viable.��

The work is guided by a collaborative process involving consultations and shaped by biblical inspiration, particularly Jeremiah 29’s encouragement to “get on with life.” The Steering Group has not heard from every member of the denomination but has heard from many across the Church in a way that has never happened before. Steve highlighted key gatherings that have taken place, with a variety of members of the �山ǿ�� serving in various roles, such as in June 2024 (finance), November 2024 (shared services) and January 2025 (new communities), and May 2025 (shared fund proposal) for examples. ��

Key proposals discussed include a central resources portal, shared administrative services (like payroll, HR, and IT), and the idea of employing lay workers more strategically, either at the local or Synod level. A major factor is the proposed Church Life Fund, which will finance these developments and provide support to churches and communities in need, whether urban congregations burdened by maintenance costs or rural areas struggling with isolation and decline.��

The overall hope is of a flourishing �山ǿ�� that is less burdened and better enabled, with renewed energy for mission, evangelism, and discipleship. ��

Elizbeth Hall, a member of the CLR steering group gave a couple of examples of how the CLR can help local churches. She told a story of an urban church that had seen better days, was facing increased unfunded costs for maintenance. Which was burdened with thoughts around health and safety and safeguarding bureaucracy for groups renting its premises. The church has little energy left and its focus on mission and vision is crowded out by all the process and protocols. The CLR, Elizabeth explained, could help the church, not by providing the perfect solution, but by providing, for example, a central place for for agreed documents, where Health and Safety and risk assessment forms can be easily found. Advice can be provided around filling said form, along with the provision of “back room”. This can result in lifting enthusiasm and reduce anxiety.��

Elizabeth gave another example featuring a��rural church and their concerns around struggling to engage people in their communities to come to church, as a result of the reduction in local transport links, and people not living locally. The CLR could support for allowing space to focus on community and mission and support for eldership. ��

Another example given, was a place without a church, such as an estate identified as having a spiritual need by a group of people or a person with energy and mission on their minds. “What can CLR do?” asked Elizabeth, “it could make funding available for a new expression of the �山ǿ��, or it might help improve something already there”. ��

Elizabeth explained clearly that the expectation was not that the CLR could fix everything found hard in churches, nor will it prevent discussions around church closures, but the hope for a church that is less burned, better enabled and flourishing is very important.��

“It can support real cultural change in the �山ǿ�� and support renewal and growth,” she said.��

The presentation concluded with an invitation to embrace changes with courage and hope, recognising that transformation, while challenging, is essential for the Church’s continued witness and growth.��

Session nine��

Paper ADH2 Proposals for capacity and costs in formation of accredited and recognised ministries�� ��

Session ten��

General Assembly Moderator’s address
“I am much more optimistic about the �山ǿ�� than when I began,” said the Revd Tim Meadows in his address as Moderator of General Assembly. ��

Tim said he had aimed to visit every synod during his year as Moderator and did so. He was enthusiastic about his visits to ministers’ retreats, CRCW retreats and Youth Assembly, and acknowledged the sacrifice made by his home churches.��

He shared the unexpected power of being part of the Remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph in November –��and being glared at by Liz Truss. ��

“In the world today,” Tim said, “our witness to being a faith community which respects the worth and dignity of every human being is a bright light into the world.”��

He reflected on the gift to the world of our antecedent churches through the heritage of our Congregationalist and Presbyterian governance – the gift of democratic government, not just for the people but by the people. That gift is under threat, he said, if churches revert to hierarchical ways of decision-making. ��

Tim said that in his travels during the year he found many churches had little relationship to General Assembly. “Does the General Assembly speak to or for the churches? Are we, who take part in General Assembly, going back and talking to our churches about General Assembly decisions?��

He said it was vital for local churches to nail their colours to the mast. “In the beautiful diversity of our local churches and community, we need to reveal who we are. If your local church community is traditional, evangelical or liberal, say so in your website. If your church is welcoming and affirming of LGBT+ people, and has voted in marriage equality, identify yourself. This is critically important, because people outside the �山ǿ�� see the General Assembly’s public statements – and discover another story when they visit a local �山ǿ�� congregation.”��

Tim ended by saying that in his dealing with other Churches in the UK and overseas, he found the �山ǿ�� is admired. ��

“�山ǿ��, let’s nail our colours to the mast, get a little salty, and speak the truth. Most importantly, never lose sight that we are in this together and Jesus Christ is our centre. We have a beautiful little church, and the world needs to know we are here. Love never runs out. Rise to life, rise to action, rise to justice, rise to hope and rise to love!”��

En bloc resolutions
The following resolutions were passed en bloc. En bloc resolutions are voted on without debate, having been deemed uncontroversial. This has no reflection on their importance. Read the full reports and resolutions in each case.
��
A1: Terms of Reference for the Faith in Action Committee
Terms of reference for the new committee and provision for urgent decision-making until it is established in the autumn��

A2: Terms of Reference for the Ministries Committee
Terms of reference for the new committee and provision for urgent decision-making until it is established in the autumn��

A3: Changes to the Committee Structure
The Equalities Committee becomes the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging��subcommittee of the Faith in Action Committee. The Faith and Order Advisory Group becomes the Faith and Order Reference Group, a subcommittee of the Business Committee.��

A5: Terms of Reference and composition and name of the General Secretariat
The General Secretariat is now called the Senior Leadership Team, and has new terms of reference. It consists of the General Secretary, the Chief Operating Officer, the Deputy General Secretary (Faith in Action) and the Deputy General Secretary for Ministries (the new name for Secretary for Ministries). The Resources Committee will decide the make-up of the Team. ��

D1: Discipleship Development Fund
Increases to grants available from the fund, including a new category of awards for spontaneous discipleship development opportunities.��

E1: Equalities report on ongoing work
An update from the committee��

G2: Update from Resources Committee
A report on the first year of the committee’s work. ��

H1: Basis of Union Paragraphs 19-24: Ministry in the United Reformed Church
Changes to the Manual, defining the role of ministers in the �山ǿ��. ��

H3: Ministries general report
An update on the work of the Accreditations Subcommittee and the Assessment Board.��

H5: Sabbaticals
The frequency of sabbaticals increases from ten years to seven. ��

H6: Renaming of Models of Non-Stipendiary Ministry
New names for models of Non-Stipendiary ministry: Non-Stipendiary Minister;
Non-Stipendiary Minister (Local); Non-Stipendiary CRCW and Non-Stipendiary CRCW (Local).��

J1: Report to General Assembly 2025
New nominations and changes to the Panel for General Assembly Appointments.��

N1: Church Life Review progress update
A report on the work of the Review��

T1: Safeguarding Committee annual report
An overview of safeguarding in the �山ǿ��.��

X1: Love’s Farm Church
Receiving Love’s Farm Church, in St Neott’s. Cambridgeshire, into the �山ǿ��.��

As per Paper A5 Terms of Reference and composition and name of the General Secretariat, the Revd Nicola Furley-Smith, Secretary for Ministries, was welcomed by members of the General Secretariat into her expanded role of Deputy General Secretary for Ministries. Andrea Heron, one of the General Assembly Moderator’s chaplains, led prayers and��expressions of thanks for Nicola.��

Love Farm Church, as outlined in X1 Love’s Farm Church – Eastern Synod,��was welcomed as a new local �山ǿ�� congregation with a resounding round of applause.

Watch a short film about Love Farm Church:

Jubilee and New Ministers ��

The notable anniversaries of the ordination of the following ministers were celebrated: ��

50 years��

• Bryan Michael Alderson��
• David Wilton Atkinson��
• Stuart James Brock��
• Martin Frederick Camroux��
• Graham Carling��
• Barry Edward Carter��
• Gwynfor Berwyn Evans��
• David Grosch-Miller��
• Moira Helen Kerr��
• Kenneth Orr Lynch��
• Marian Horman McKean��
• Robert Parker��
• Jaroslav Raich��
• Bryan Reginald Shirley��
• Bob Wylie White��

��60 years��

• Kenneth Graham��
• Malcolm Gerald Hanson��
• David Leslie Helyar��
• Donald Horsfield��
• Stuart Jackson��
• Derek John Kingston��
• Nanette Lewis-Head��
• Geoffrey Edward Hodgess Roper��
• Jacqueline Mary Smith ��
• Keith John Spence ��
• Brian Woodcock��
• Brian A Wren��

70 years��

• James Ronald Garfitt ��
• Roger John Hall��
• Raymond Arthur Moody��
• John Brian Sturney��

The General Assembly greeted Ministers present at the meeting who had been admitted to the Roll of Ministers since the last Assembly. The full list of those Ministers are: ��

• Joseph Amoah, Harrogate St Paul’s ��
• Siobhan Antoniou, Reigate Park; Banstead; Dorking; Redhill��
• Stephanie Atkins, Greater Manchester South Missional Partnership��
• Julia Bartholomew, Old Colwyn; Rhos-on-Sea ��
• Stanslous Chatikobo, Trinity Church, Ashwell & Walkern & Sandon United Church ��
• Simon Cross, Hull Area: Hull St Ninians & St Andrews, Cottingham Zion & Newland, Swanland Christ Church, Peters House ��
• Julie Jefferies, Prestbury �山ǿ����
• Alecia Johnstone, North Western Synod, Chaplain at HMP/YOI Preston ��
• Maria Lee, Bolton & Salford Missional Partnership ��
• Kate Wolsey, Pembrokeshire Transitional Minister��

Paper I2 A Missional Lens for the �山ǿ����
Sarah Lane Cawte, Convenor of the Mission Committee, brought a strategic paper to Assembly but said she hoped it would be inspiring – and said the task is to focus on what happens next.��

The paper drew together recent Assembly decisions to provide a missional focus for the �山ǿ�� over the next four years. The Mission Committee asks all committees to focus on four areas: ��

• Address issues of racial injustice��
• Prioritise action on poverty and marginalisation��
• Recognise and respond to the climate catastrophe��
• Reinvigorate our ecumenical vision

Sarah also encouraged Assembly to listen hard to the voices of marginalised and young people.��

The premise of the paper was to take forward work which General Assembly has already agreed in past resolutions.��

Answering questions, Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission) said that the scale of rolling out anti-racist training is large, and that progress is being made. Two youth delegates asked what the measure of success will be and what happens if the �山ǿ�� does not achieve its missional goals in four years. Philip said there are many practical measures in past reports, and these will provide measures of success – and also inform what work to take forward after four years.��

Has interfaith collaboration been considered, asked Reuben Watts. This was a question to be considered by other committees, Sarah said. The Methodist delegate asked if work had been done on creating a succinct summary of the mission lens; Philip agreed that work on a “strapline” would be a good idea. ��

A past Moderator asked that the task of evangelism be included into the final resolution. Sarah said that a section of the paper does emphasise evangelism and the Committee had brought a supplementary resolution (32A) dealing specifically with evangelism. She added that evangelism is integral to being Church and that it should not be restricted to a four-year timescale.��

Alison Micklem worried that this particular lens makes everything “smaller, further away and blurred”. She feared the �山ǿ�� was in danger of overburdening itself with priorities. To ask all committees to consider all their work through all these priorities would create a great deal of work, she said. A synod moderator said these priorities feel restrictive and�� that “we should be more expansive”.��

On a vote, Assembly accepted the committee’s proposal to withdraw both the main resolution (32) and the supplementary resolution relating to evangelism (32A).��

Paper A4 The Future of the General Assembly and Assembly Executive

ADH2 Proposals for addressing the excess costs in our formation of accredited and recognised ministries

The Business Committee, Education and Learning Committee and Ministries Committees brought proposals for addressing excess capacity and associated costs in the �山ǿ��’s formation of accredited and recognised ministries in light of the Church’s educational needs. This followed the endorsement of the Education and Learning Consultation in Paper ADH1.

The suite of resolutions was introduced by General Secretary the Revd Dr John P Bradbury. They focus on the future of the �山ǿ��’s three Resource Centres for Learning (RCLs) (at Westminster College, Cambridge, Northern College in Manchester, and Scottish College).

The current proposals arise from the commission by Assembly Executive of a learning review and audit for the �山ǿ��. He said the outcome of discussions would be difficult for many. “We come with deep attachments for RCLs, and we must own that. But this has to be how the entire �山ǿ�� moves strategically.”

The current financing is no longer sustainable, Dr Bradbury said. Equally, numbers of Education for Ministry (EM1) students at RCLs are no longer sustainable, and the pressure on the budget is too great. Change is needed sooner.

The paper set out educational principles, priorities and key criteria by which the proposals will be made, and the process and timetable for decisions to come to Assembly Executive in February 2026. Likely solutions will require ceasing the use of at least one RCL for EM1, and potentially withdrawing Education and Learning entirely from one RCL.

Nicola Furley-Smith, Secretary for Ministries, shared the work of the Assessment Board and said the number of students has ranged from 7 to 13 over the past five years. She said 11 students will start this September, and mapping their their needs would mean sending five students to one RCL and three each to the other two – “and that’s in a bumper year. Sometimes there has been just one student sent to an RCL.”

Strong cohorts allow for consistent expectations for all students, Nicola continued. But, because of the small numbers, each student is on an individually tailored pathway, and that has consequences. “Strong peer group relationship fosters resilience, theological reflection and essential foundations for ministry in challenging pastoral contexts.”

Alan Yates, Honorary Treasurer, explained that as part of the review, the Resources Committee was asked to provide a financial envelope – guidance on appropriate funding for RCLs and student costs covered by the Ministry and Mission fund. Although not an exact science, research led to the conclusion that a gross total expenditure of about £1m would seem an appropriate maximum at present.

Between 2011 and 2024, total costs rose by about 5% in total (not per annum). RCL costs rose by about 60%, and student costs fell by about 15%. The total RCL and student-related costs were £1.18m: £750,000 for RCLs and £430,000 to support students. RCLs also have other income streams. Mr Yates added: “Let me try to manage expectations. This is an envelope, not a precise decimal point analysis. This does not suggest that all of that money should be used for RCLs.” He warned: “If the bottom-up numbers have any credence, the amount of funding we can provide will fund two residential RCLs very poorly indeed. If we fund one, it might stand a chance of being sustainable.”

The Assembly discussed the resolutions as a whole, before discussing each resolution individually.

Zerak Shabaz asked what would happen if the RCL he begins EM1 training is closed. Dr Bradbury assured him that when the Church had ceased using colleges before, existing students had been able to complete their studies there. It was hoped that this approach might continue to be possible.

Responding to questions about ongoing college finances, Mr Yates said that “if we continue to try to support three RCLS then all of them will suffer more than they are today. A focus on two will help them support them in a more sustainable way.”

Janet Sutton, Eastern, asked if accredited ministries includes other training, and if so, would the Newbigin Hub be included. What proportion is spent outside of ministerial formation? Dr Bradbury said there is a lot of work for the wider provision of training throughout the �山ǿ��, but the ecosystem of Education and Learning in the �山ǿ�� is complicated as it involves synods as well as RCLs.

Charlotte Remblance wondered if decisions from the Church Life Review and about pioneering posts should be made before looking at the RCLs.�� Responding, Dr Bradbury said all RCLs were invited to feedback to these papers, and there is no expectation that anything that happens at the November Extra General Assembly will affect this.

He also confirmed that there will be an ecumenical impact because of the decision, and Mrs Furley-Smith confirmed that the �山ǿ�� constantly reviews its patterns of training along with ecumenical partners. In response to a question about ongoing course outside of ministerial training, Dr Bradbury said that RCLs “are all separate entities. If we cease to use them for EM1, what happens next is primarily a decision for their governing bodies.”

Steph Atkins asked what we are trying to do to increase cohort sizes?�� “Are we passionately trying to encourage people to go forward to ministry?”�� Responding, Mrs Furley-Smith urged Assembly to challenge people you know to their call to ministry.

Moving to discussion, Tom Osborne, Methodist Church offered a welcome at Queens in Birmingham. He also said that when colleges close there can be unexpected blessings. When Wesley House stopped training Methodist ministers its work expanded globally offering Wesleyan training around the world. Church of England representative Chantal Noppen added that ecumenical training is important. She said residential training is not always best.

Dr Bradbury responded positively to a request from Sally Bateman, Northern Synod, to consider the diversity of the group examining these issues. And to the question “How do we stop the leakage?” (after students are ordained), Mrs Furley-Smith acknowledged that “one of the things that we need to look at is deployment and this is interconnected as it involves synod moderators. We may not find the perfect solution but we are aware that large pastorates are challenging.”

Maggie Kirkbride said that the church relies on lay training and wanted to be assured that it would continue and improve. Pippa Hodgson said that shouldn’t be affected, that hybrid ways are provided and that training should also meet people where they are.

At a later session, the resolutions were discussed.

Resolution 14
General Assembly determines to cease using at least one RCL for the delivery of EM1 from September 2026 for new EM1 students.

Lucy Cooke, Northern, wondered if making the decisions now ran the risk of closing doors when we should be opening them. She felt reducing the variety of places where people can train goes against new pioneering ministry and other new ways of being church. For the Equalities Committee, Jo Clare-Young asked if the remaining RCLs could be as inclusive and accessible as possible, in terms of theology, worship styles and diversity, as well as for those with accessibility and learning needs. Anne Sardeson, Eastern, reminded Assembly that it had said no to using Queens in the past, and that we should not burn bridges. Susan Durber, Wales, suggested that cohort and geographical location as well as learning styles should be factored in. She said passing this resolution could lock the task group into a path and her call was for creative, open thinking first.

Dr Bradbury replied that it had been hoped that, through engagement with the RCLs and the Education and Learning committee, it would be possible to find another way through. Many possibilities were explored, but because a path couldn’t be found, the Assembly Executive took action. The task needs to be addressed after six years of little progress, he said, and he asked that the resolution be supported.

Other concerns were raised: that some of the Church’s distinctiveness would be lost; and that a less varied programme would be offered. A former Assembly Moderator remembered that in 1973 he was part of a committee that decided to reduce five colleges down to two. He said the needs now, as then, are yet unknown. Daniel Harris, North Western Synod, added that this decision was inevitable, but emphasised that the pain needed to be recognised.

John Bradbury agreed that these decisions are tough, but we need to face the reality that lots of our local congregations have taken in the past. Regarding the diversity of what is offered, he said that both English colleges now follow the Durham Common Award, with different pathways, a pathway which was also available in Scotland through ecumenical partners. Even just one institution could offer a diverse range of learning.

Stephen Orchard, former Principal of Westminster and later a governor of Northern College, asked that we do not run away from this decision. “We can’t carry on the way we have been, but we need to look at the wider formation of ministry. Each college is an independent charity and they might be able to serve the church in other ways.”

Following an amendment that left options open, a vote on the amended resolution was carried.

Resolution 15
General Assembly adopts the financial ‘envelope’ within which funding for EM1 and RCLs must be delivered from the M&M fund.

Nigel Uden, Eastern Synod, Chair of Governors at Westminster College, asked if it was acceptable to approach other sources of funding across the �山ǿ��, including the synods, for the delivery of programmes and for buildings work. However, Romilly Micklem warned that we need to carefully consider what we’re asking Synod Trust companies to do. “There is no bottomless pit of money,” he said.

The Resolution was carried.

Resolution 16
General Assembly adopts the criteria set out at 4.1 in the report as the criteria which are to be used in making determinations about which RCLs will continue to offer EM1.

Neil Thorogood, South Western Synod, a former Principal of Westminster College, reflected that there are all sorts of ways for theological education to be delivered. “Our focus is how to help Nicola [Furley-Smith] to have plenty of ministers to train and to equip others.” He said God also gives the gift and calling to be the theological educators of the future. We have been blessed by many people who have done this for us. Dr Bradbury agreed that we need the ecology to grow, but that ecology also extends beyond the colleges themselves.

Following some final clarifications, the Resolution was carried.

Resolution 17
General Assembly adopts the key aims for the future use of RCLs within the life of the United Reformed Church.

Following about clarification about the inclusion of EM1 in the thinking about colleges, this resolution was carried.

Resolutions 18 and 19
General Assembly adopted the timetable for decision-making as set out in Section 8 of the report; and invited the Revd Dr Andrea Russell to serve as an external consultant in the engagement of the working group with the RCLs.

Reporting team: Steve Tomkins, Ann-Marie Nye, Laurence Wareing and Andy Jackson. Photos: Kevin Snyman.

The post General Assembly 2025: day three round-up 6 July appeared first on United Reformed Church.

The reading was from Romans 4, about Abraham’s hopeful faith in God’s promise. Andrew shared his poem “Hope is a four-letter word”.��

The Moderator, the Revd Tim Meadows, introduced Dr Francesca Nuzzolese, Professor of Pastoral Care at the Waldensian Theological School in Rome, who led a Bible study on the words of Jesus in Matthew: ‘Come to me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.’��

Dr Nuzzolese invited members of Assembly to receive those words as spoken to them here and now. Are any of us, she asked, carrying a burden, needing the kind of rest that can sustain our holy work of giving hope and care and strength?��

Those of us who minister to others, Dr Nuzzolese said, need to be first fully present to ourselves. Burn out, exhaustion and spiritual despair are among the deadliest dangers for those in ministry. ��

Why are those called to care often the most reluctant to receive care? Professional care givers need to be care receivers. ��

When weariness becomes chronic, it cannot be fixed by a couple of weeks off but requires something much deeper: repenting the hubris of acting as if we were indispensable, a martyrdom complex, masochism. ��

What the world needs most is our presence filled with the Spirit. ��

Dr Nuzzolese reflected on Jesus’ invitation, ‘Come’. Care begins with receiving not doing. We cannot offer what we do not have. Rest is not selfish, but the best act of care we can offer, including care to those closest to us. Rest is not a luxury or a reward but spiritual obedience. ��

When we receive rest, we are not alone but yoked with Christ. Rest is part of ministry. She said she wanted to remind us as gently as Jesus does: yield to the invitation to go often to Jesus.��

Session three��

Paper B1 Children’s and Youth Work Committee Final Report
At General Assembly 2025, the Revd Samantha Sheehan, Convenor of the Children’s and Youth Work Committee (CYWC) reflected on seven years of strategic work and introduced a renewed vision for the future. Rooted in the call to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Tim 1:6), the committee highlighted the importance of nurturing thriving, inclusive, intergenerational churches where children and young people are central to God’s mission.��

Framed around the biblical call to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6), Samantha emphasised that tradition should be understood not as “worshipping the ashes” but as “tending the flame.” Since 2018, CYWC has focused on strengthening congregations in five key areas: faith, community, identity, engagement, and growth. Milestones have included Youth Assembly, training programmes like Youth Mental Health First Aid and Godly Play, and the creation of practical resources such as Go with Greta, Faith Adventures, Youth Mental Health First Aid��for churches of all sizes.
As CYWC hands over its work to new structures, the new wider Faith in Action committee, CYWC calls on the Church to continue empowering young people, embedding their voices in decision-making, and building a truly intergenerational future for the �山ǿ��. In light of this, Assembly was reminded of two key resolutions previously passed:��

• “To consistently mindful of the voice of children and young people and of the impact of decisions on future generations. To enable this, all councils of the church are encouraged to review how they are able to hear and respond to children and young people.��

• Recognise work with children, young people and families as ministry. ��

Education and Learning presentation
Pippa Hodgson, Convenor of the Education & Learning Committee, made what could be the final report from the Committee (subject to other resolutions at the Assembly). ��

“Looking at the Education & Learning General Assembly reports since 2005, it is quite remarkable how education and learning has changed,” Pippa began.��

“Collaboration between and across Synods, Resource Centres for Learning (RCLs) and those at Church House, not only for the three Education For Ministry (EM) levels, but also in developing a range of programmes to meet the needs of all has been a notable success. Not always without bumps along the way!”��

There have been significant changes to the funding of higher education in England, Pippa continued, developments such as blended and virtual learning, working collaboratively with the RCLs and across Church House Committees, and the expectations of EM1 education. ��

Wider programmes, such as the Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers programme and its predecessor TLS, and Stepwise have provided a Reformed ‘platform’ for those who wish to serve their churches as preachers and for some to develop their call to candidate for ministry.�� ��

Difficult decisions still need to be made, however, “but let us not lose sight of the positives: the opportunities and the gifts that education and learning as a whole brings to the �山ǿ�� and beyond.” ��

“As we move into a new committee structure, and as other things change, it is right that the education and learning of the whole people of God is integrated across the work of the Church. It is not something for a separate committee, rather education, learning and personal growth is ‘everybody’s business’.”��

Paper BDFH1 Update on a Ministry of Children’s and Youth Work��
Revd Samantha Sheehan also presented the final joint paper from the work group in the form of Resolution 20 which is itself in response to Resolution 13 that was presented and resolved at GA 2023, inviting CYWC, Ministries and Education and Learning to explore what would be needed to introduce a formal Children’s, Youth and Families ministry. ��Resource Centres for Learning also joined the conversation.����

An update was brought to Assembly Executive earlier this year, however it was noted that there were questions remaining regarding the proposals, therefore the task group considered alternative proposals including Assembly Accredited Children, Youth and Families Workers. Although RCLs provide training for Children, Youth and Families Workers, the task group struggled to see who would come forward and how those ��offering this ministry, could be supported. ����

The final report therefore acknowledges and commends the training programme offered through RCLs for local children and youth workers and instructs new committees to explore how training can be accessed by local people in terms of financial support and encourages the Church Life Review to join the conversation.����

Resolution 20 passed unanimously, and a round of applause was given.��

Place for Hope mediation team launch
The United Reformed Church’s mediation team, trained by Place for Hope, was launched at General Assembly.

Carolyn Merry, Director of Place for Hope, spoke to Assembly about the need to be agents of transformation in our world.

Martha Hunt, leader of Living Reconciliation Programme, spoke of her excitement at reaching this point and said that the objective was to embed a culture of peacemaking in the �山ǿ��. They had worked to create a programme that works for who the �山ǿ�� is, she said.

First, a team of six mediators have been trained to provide facilitated conversations for those experiencing times of change, disagreement and difference. Then the second strand of the partnership will involve trainers being trained to deliver Place for Hope foundational courses across the �山ǿ�� on topics related to conflict, change, challenging behaviour, and living well with differences.

The Revd Martha McInnes talked about her experience of being scarred by conflict in stipendiary ministry, having left it, and now being called back with a ministry of reconciliation, and finding in the process others have had similar experience.

The mediation programme is initially being rolled out in the National Synod of Scotland and North Western Synod this weekend and the roll out will continue across the other synods over the coming five years.

The Revd Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator for Scotland, said Place for Hope started in Scotland and the synod had the advantage of four practitioners already being there. ‘We want to embed a culture of conflict transformation,’ she said, ‘especially as congregations address questions of their future, questions which can be accompanied with anxiety.

The Revd Jenny Mills, the key �山ǿ�� liaison for the partnership, acknowledged the work that her predecessor Adrian Bulley had done in establishing it. She added that the Methodist Church had begun working with Place for Hope before the �山ǿ��, and was seeing results, not just in conflict resolution but in conflict transformation.

Presentation of candidates for General Assembly Moderator 2026-2027 & vote��
The Revd Dr Kirsty Thorpe introduced two candidates for Moderator of General Assembly 2026-2027: the Revd Dr Mitchell Bunting (Bungie) and the Revd Neil Thorogood. ����

Kirsty introduced the process by which the election would take place: that the nominees would first have three minutes to introduce themselves and three minutes to answer a question posed by the Moderator. ��The candidates were invited to respond to the question, 2025 is a Jubilee year for our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. ��What does Hope mean for you?’��

Bungie received a unanimous endorsement from the March meeting of the National Synod of Scotland to the nomination for Moderator of General Assembly 2026/27. ����

Neil had been nominated for the role by both South Western and Eastern Synods. ��

After both nominees had spoken, the Revd Andrew Mann-Ray prayed and Assembly voted.��

General Secretary’s address��
In his address to the 2025 General Assembly, the Revd Dr John��Bradbury, General Secretary of the �山ǿ��, delivered a historically anchored reflection on the future of the United Reformed Church. ��

Marking five years in office, and anticipating the extraordinary General Assembly on the Church Life Review in November, John reminded the meeting about the Council of Nicaea and its theological legacy (“There is, after all, a danger in calling a former teacher of Doctrine and Church History to serve as General Secretary…”). He issued a plea: it is time, once again, to believe deeply and radically in the living God made known in Jesus Christ.��

John related the Council of Nicaea, convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine 1700 years ago, and the United Reformed Church today. ��

Far from being ancient irrelevance, he argued that the council’s wrestling over Christ’s divinity echoes loudly in our time. Arius, the priest whose theology sparked the council, sought to preserve the singularity of God by positioning Jesus as subordinate. ��

But the Church led by Athanasius instead proclaimed a God as not distant but incarnate, in the world, in the flesh, in the pain and joy of human life. This, John insisted, is the foundation on which the Church stands: a belief in a God who is not safely abstracted but present.��

He confessed that both his personal theological journey and the early �山ǿ�� were shaped by a “modernising” impulse – one that tried to make Christianity credible to secular, scientific minds. But in a world ravaged by war, ecological crisis, and mental distress, such a “safe” God is “no use to us.”��

He called for a return to a bold and incarnational theology: one rooted in encounter with the crucified and risen Christ, and in the transformative presence of the Holy Spirit. “God is not a distant, philosophical idea,” he said. “God is known fully in Christ.”��

“However, something is shifting and moving. Something in the tributaries that make up the Church in the western world is changing.”��

Despite decades of decline, John struck an unexpectedly hopeful tone. Referencing podcast host Justin Brierley and journalist Lamorna Ash’s recent explorations of youthful faith, he highlighted the emerging spiritual hunger among younger generations (see reports in Reform magazine). These stories, he noted, point toward encounters with the living God, not only in traditional cathedrals or evangelical megachurches, but across the spectrum of Christian worship.

He challenged the Church to ask whether, using the words from the Nicene Creed, it truly believes itself as “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic,” or whether it has surrendered its confidence in being a place where God meets people. ��

Noting that some young people find “transformative, engaging, inclusive” worship outside the �山ǿ��, John warned that the denomination must rekindle its own spiritual vibrancy or risk irrelevance.��

He was clear about the limitations of institutional strategy. The Church Life Review, he said, won’t renew the �山ǿ�� by itself. It may lift burdens, free up resources, and enable lay ministry, but it cannot rekindle the flame of faith.��

That task belongs to local congregations, ministers, Elders and worship itself. “We must deepen our confidence in the reality of the living God,” he said. “We must become more confident evangelists… and significantly improve the quality of our worship.”��

In closing, John issued a challenge not just to treat church renewal as a bureaucratic exercise, but as a spiritual vocation. ��

He called for churches to become spaces where people can truly “taste and see” that God is good – where worship is not simply a weekly routine, but an encounter with the divine that transforms lives and communities.��

The address ended an appeal: “May God’s Spirit be with us as, together, we discern how we build one another up in faith, discipleship and worship such that we might respond faithfully to the call of God to be God’s Church.”��

Community Project Awards
Seven church projects offering outstanding service to their communities were recognised at General Assembly.��

Three projects won the 2025 Community Project Awards:��

• Dove Dementia Cafe, Diss �山ǿ�� in Norfolk��
• Food with Friends, Rivertown �山ǿ�� in Shotton, North Wales��
• Food for Thought, Union Church Margate in Kent��

Another four community projects were highly commended:��

• Forget-Me-Not Café, St Andrews Roundhay �山ǿ�� in Leeds��
• Stepping Out for the Community, Longton �山ǿ��, Stoke on Trent��
• Vine Gardening Club, Vine �山ǿ�� in Ilford, Essex��
• Soupermums, Wilsden Trinity Church near Bradford

The award winners receive prizes of £2,000 each for their projects, and the highly commended projects receive £1,000. The community project awards have been sponsored by Congregational for 16 years, and gratitude was expressed for their increased support this year.

Introducing the awards, General Assembly Moderator, Tim Meadows, said the awards recognise projects that “demonstrate the love of God and the mission of the Church by reaching out in many different ways to help the local communities in which our churches serve”. Today’s awards, brought the total of church projects recognised to 82, receiving a total of£150,000.��

Helen Doran, Head of Church Underwriting Operations at Congregational, presented the prizes. Assembly also watched short videos about each of the projects, hearing from volunteers, users and ministers. The videos will be available on the��.��

Session five��

Paper X2 Emergency Statement on Israeli Military Activity��
At the start of session five, an emergency resolution from the West Midlands Synod against Israeli military actions in Gaza was presented, following a (WCC), meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, between 18-24 June.��

In support of the WCC statement, the Revd Steve Faber, Moderator of the West Midlands Synod, introduced Resolution 42 to the �山ǿ�� Assembly. ��

“Atrocities have continued,” Revd Faber said, citing Israeli breaches of ceasefire agreements, deliberate blockade of aid, indiscriminate civilian casualties, and comprehensive air strikes ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. ��

“This is about ethics, not ethnicity,” he emphasised. “We must not allow people to believe that all Jewish people are responsible for these actions. The condemnation is directed at the Israeli government and its military, not the nation or Jewish people.”��

Resolution 42 explicitly commends the WCC statement, which calls for an end to “apartheid, occupation, and impunity in Palestine and Israel”. It also accuses the Israeli military campaign of grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention, acts which may amount to genocide and/or crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.��

Steve acknowledged the contribution of Revd Dr Susan Durber, a �山ǿ�� minister, who serves as WCC President for Europe, who had a key role in the process that led to the WCC statement.��

“We are witnessing genocide, and we must have the courage to name it as such,” he said.��

During the debate, a member, whose family is Jewish, expressed support for the resolution. They affirmed the call to combat antisemitism, though asked for an understanding of the nuance within the Jewish diaspora around the actions of the State of Israel. Within their own family, there were both Zionists and pro Palestinians. ��

Speakers from the floor encouraged the �山ǿ�� to support the WCC’s position. There was a call for members to write to MPs, calling on the UK government to put an immediate end to UK arms sales to Israel, and urging the government to avoid breaches of international law.��

After a period of impassioned discussion in favour of the motion, Resolution 42 was adopted with overwhelming support by the Assembly, affirming the �山ǿ��’s commitment to justice, peace, equity, and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.��

Session six

General Assembly Moderator 2026-2027
Following a time of prayer, the Revd Dr John Bradbury, �山ǿ�� General Secretary, announced that the Revd Neil Thorogood had been duly elected General Assembly Moderator-Elect 2025-2026.��

Ecumenical pilgrimage to the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission), introduced a film recording the recent visit of an ecumenical delegation to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The visit was made to demonstrate solidarity with partners in the region. It comprised representatives from the Methodist Church in Britain, the �山ǿ��, the Church of Scotland, the United Methodist Church in the US, and the General Secretary of the World Methodist Council.��

Many statements have been made, and resolutions passed, by the �山ǿ�� General Assembly over the years concerning Israel and Palestine. These have all been responses to the question, what can we do individually, collectively, and as a denomination? However, though statements are important, Philip said, they can be impersonal and abstract. They don’t describe the personal struggles and pain of people living in contexts of violence.��

The film, by Kevin Snyman, Programme Officer for Commitment for Life, tries to do that. Its focus was on the South Hebron Hills in the southern West Bank, specifically the municipality of Masafer Yatta. Recently, the area has been subject to an Israeli court order declaring it to be a “firing range”. Philip said this gives full rein to settlers to destroy Palestinian homes and ethnically clear the area.��

(Masafer Yatta is the focus of the 2024��documentary film��No Other Land, winner of a��Best Documentary Oscar.)��

Assembly endorsed the findings and themes from the Education and Learning (E&L) Consultation in April and instructed the working group and others to enact the outcomes listed in section four of the paper. ��

Assembly further instructed the Business Committee, the proposed��Faith in Action Committee, and the Ministries Committee to report back to next year’s General Assembly with an update on progress.��

Jenny Mills, Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship), said that the paper followed an intense piece of work following February’s Assembly Executive. “This is a testament to great teamwork, and this is truly a conciliar document. We believe it has given us a good direction.”��

Mary Thomas, Convenor, Ministries Committee, said that the Church aspires to satisfy the three Cs: collaboration, communication and commitment.��

Collaboration between RCLs, Synods and networks; looking at resources to make them current and contextual; communication between practitioners, Synods and RCLs; and a commitment to collaboration and open communication.��

There is no room for competition or for going it alone, continued Mary. “How do we put the needs of our members in our churches first?”��

Following Assembly Executive in February 2025, a consultation was held at High Leigh in April. Themes emerging from the consultation included the role of the �山ǿ��’s identity, its culture and leadership, the current Education & Learning offering, design and delivery, the learning needs of different groups, and the future of E&L provision. ����

Resolution 13 was carried.��

Reporting team:�� Ann-Marie Nye, Steve Tomkins, Laurence Wareing and Andy Jackson. Video and photos Kevin Snyman.

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The meeting began with Communion led by the Revd Tim Meadows General Moderator 2025-2025, and with worship led by the Revd Andrew Mann-Ray and Andrea Heron, his chaplains.��

��As Andrew is a lover of folk music, he led Assembly in singing unaccompanied the folk hymn John Ball. The reading was from 1 Corinthians 13, about the supremacy of love. Andrea reflected on the 60ft sculpture in the Vatican, Resurrection by Fazzini, in which Christ emerges from nuclear crater. It encapsulated what it meant to live under the threat of nuclear war in the mid-20th century.����

“It is one of my favourite things,” said Andrea. “And it scares the life out of me.”����

She said: “The idea of the destruction of everything I recognise, know and that gives me my sense of self and identity, scares me senseless. But that image of Christ rising out of the ashes – now that, that makes my soul sing!”��

As Christians we should know that there can be no resurrection without crucifixion, but it can be hard to really grasp that. Traditional western images of crucifixion are beautiful, but unreal.����

“So,” said Andrea, “we are called to join with those going through real suffering and stay there. God invites us to share his greatest moment of suffering and that is the path to joining in his resurrection. What a beautiful privilege! Because we are promised resurrection, we are called to go through the world of suffering. Love is the path that will lead us through crucifixion to resurrection.”��

Session one��

Introduction and greeting of ecumenical guests
The Revd Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission) reminded Assembly that “there is a world outside the United Reformed Church” and that it is represented by ecumenical guests. Uniquely, ecumenical guests are normally full members of Assembly with voting rights. This year’s guests are:��

• Dr Francesca Nuzzolese (Waldensian)����
• Martin Heninger and Anja Behrens (Evangelical Church of the Palatinate)��
• Júlia 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)

The Revd Géza Kacsó was warmly welcomed and invited to address the Assembly. Mr Kacsó serves as pastor of the multi-cultural Reformed community of Bátyú in Transcarpathia, an area of western Ukraine. He said getting out of Ukraine since the war began has been extremely difficult, especially for males of the population, and that he was fortunate to be one of the exceptions.��

He said Transcarpathia has been relatively safe from bombing and missiles but that his community has lost many people who have moved away, including children – “our future” – and males conscripted to the army. He said that in many ways life in Transcarpathia goes on as normal, though many women are taking up the work of men sent to war. None of the ministers have left, he said. He concluded: “We hope for a better future and we thank you for all your support, financial and through prayer.”����

The Right Revd Rosemary (Rosie) Frew, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, brought greetings from her General Assembly, and on behalf of all the ecumenical guests thanked the �山ǿ�� for its hospitality. She said that Christian denominations are all facing similar issues, and that this is a time of learning and sharing.����

This is the first year as Clerk of General Assembly for the Revd Sarah Moore, joined by the Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young, the new Assistant Clerk. To explain how business and voting works at General Assembly, Sarah recruited members of the National Synod of Scotland who introduced a mock debate around the colour balance of sweets in supermarket brands of pastilles. The debate was “fruitful” and gave Assembly much to “chew on”.��

Assembly voted in favour of resolutions nominating members of the Facilitation Group for Assembly and as the Convenor of Tellers.��

Synod Moderator’s Report
The 2025 Synod Moderators’ Report, presented by the Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Moderator of East Midlands Synod focuses on the theme of grace and draws upon both scripture and lived experiences from churches across the denomination. The report calls the �山ǿ�� to be “full of grace”, not just in word but in witness. Geoffrey commented that in terms of style the report may well be judged to be more like a “sermon” than a report.����

“That should in itself come as no surprise, given that we exercise a ministry of Word and Sacraments,” he said. “This year we share a word of encouragement and challenge – for each of us is urged to hear afresh the call to be a people who are full of grace.”��

In the report moderators reflected on the contrast between the grace we receive through Christ and the “famine of grace” in society today, marked by harshness, contempt, and division.����

To illustrate the point, Geoffrey walked Assembly through several examples of a lack of grace in modern society: Jackie Weaver, the star of a viral parish council meeting who ejected members of the meeting for their bad behaviour, and Trump’s behaviour towards Zelinskyy in front of television cameras.��

The Church, while not perfect, is called to be countercultural: a people defined by generosity, compassion, and gratitude. Geoffrey acknowledged that although it would be good to be able to claim that within church settings how we treat one another and the behaviour in our meetings is exemplary, it is sadly not always the case.����������

Drawing on the biblical encounter between Mary and Elizabeth and the glimpses of grace that we can catch in one another, Geoffrey reminded us that each gathering can be a moment of recognising God’s work in and through us.��

Geoffrey acknowledged that the membership of the Moderators meetings had recently been completed by the arrival of the Revd David Downing as Moderator of South Western Synod. However, since the report was submitted the Revd Bridget Banks, Moderator of Southern Synod, has taken early retirement on health grounds. Geoffrey thanked Bridget for her service and wished her well in her retirement.��

Members of Assembly then discussed briefly questions for reflection within the report, such as: Where and in whom did we most recently catch a glimpse of grace, and did we remember to give thanks for that grace observed? and How is gratitude encouraged and practised in the regular life of our local church?����

The report was received warmly by Assembly.��

Paper T2: Safeguarding – Safeguarding Training Framework
General Assembly adopted the updated Safeguarding Training Framework for use across the Church and instructed the Denominational Safeguarding Team and Synods to oversee the implementation of the framework. It also asked the Business Committee to look at future updates because it was a technical document across three nations. ��

The Revd Roger Jones, Convenor of the Safeguarding Committee, introduced the paper with Matt Knowles, a Synod Safeguarding Officer. “This is more comprehensive and an updated version and follows a consultation with more than 200 people from across the �山ǿ��,” Roger said. ��

The new framework reflects the differences and changes across the three nations and introduces combined and intermediate courses without increasing workloads as it continues to deliver substantial amounts of essential training. ��

The first training framework was brought to General Assembly 2021 and there have been various changes within safeguarding in that time, including a significant change in safeguarding personnel, the cultural and attitude shift to see safeguarding as who the �山ǿ�� is as a Christian denomination and not just a compliance issue, and important external reports and inquiries related to other faith organisations. ��

The framework has been regularly reviewed and critiqued, and it was felt by the Safeguarding Committee and other key stakeholders that the changes needed to be adopted by the General Assembly.���� ��

The framework outlines the training pathways: Introduction, Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced and Bespoke, along with pathways for different roles. The training programme has been designed not just to be informative but based on case examples, and some training will be available as online learning which will enable more participants to engage.��

In Wales, training is aligned with the National Safeguarding Training, Learning and Development Standards and the framework set out by the �山ǿ��.��

In Scotland there is a Service Level Agreement with the Church of Scotland regarding training and everyone in Scotland is required to complete it in line with the requirements set out in the Church of Scotland’s framework. ��

Andrew Evans of West Midlands Synod reminded GA that Safer Recruitment is essential and asked if others could be added to the list to undertake this training. ��

Michael Hopkins, Convenor of Resources Committee, proposed an amendment so that future frameworks could be reviewed by the Business Committee instead of the General Assembly, after consultations with national Synods. ��

Lindsey Sanderson, National Synod of Scotland, said that as a national Synod, the chance to discuss a framework at the General Assembly was appreciated, and that a committee might not have the wide range of skills for analysing different rules in different nations. ��

The amendment, which became resolution 37a, was carried. ��

Session two

Paper H2 Criteria for the 13 new pioneering posts
On behalf of the Ministries Committee, the Revd Mary Thomas brought a paper asking Assembly to agree the “criteria” for 13 new pioneering posts, designed to “intentionally grow new Christian communities”. ��

Though we often speak about decline in the Church, there is a growing interest in faith in the UK, Mrs Thomas said. She said that pioneering ministry grows out of where ministry already exists. There is a stronger intention to take risks, she said, and��to draw more lay workers to ministry. ��

The criteria had been developed in part to reflect the “missional lens” that the Mission Committee will bring later in the Assembly. For that reason, the posts “will be committed to engaging with issues of Legacies of Slavery and anti-racism, the environment and net zero, poverty, the �山ǿ��’s reinvigoration of its ecumenical vision and areas of deprivation, where appropriate”.��

Mrs Thomas said that though pioneer ministry is “ever-evolving and never static”, the criteria would guide how to establish the new ministries. ��

In response to a question about when a person would be assessed as eligible to be a pioneer, the Revd Nicola Furley-Smith, Secretary to the Ministries Committee, said there was an expectation that ministers put forward by synods would receive training. ��

The Moderator of the National Synod of Wales was concerned that posts would be created for people. Mrs Furley-Smith felt the scheme allows a synod to say where there is work to be done and then develop a post accordingly. The �山ǿ�� Assembly Moderator asked whether, if a synod didn’t manage to create a post, the opportunity could be transferred to another synod – in response Mrs Furley-Smith said this is not part of the current proposal.��

The Revd Dr Susan Durber asked for clarification about the nature of pioneering – could only certain types of people do pioneering? The General Secretary said there is no intention to create an “order of pioneering ministers” – these are roles for stipendiary ministers of Word and Sacrament; the new ministries are intended to be centres for ministry and worship where the sacraments can be offered. For that reason, these would not be roles for CRCWs. ��

One speaker said he found the word “pioneer” problematic; he said it has colonial overtones, and the Secretary accepted that finding the right word is difficult. However, a motion from the floor to remove the word “pioneering” from the resolution, though met with some sympathy, was ruled out of order. ��

There was also a request for lay people to be considered for the roles. In response, the Secretary said the funding for these posts come from Ministries but she hoped that lay opportunities will be coming through decisions already made at previous meetings. ��In response to two other questions, she added that there is training available for pioneering, and also that it would be possible for ministers who have transferred from other denominations to take up the new posts if they hadn’t been filled by �山ǿ�� ministers through the certificate of eligibility scheme.��

With one further amendment, the Assembly accepted the resolution proposing the “process” (not “criteria”) for creating 13 new pioneering posts.��

Paper H4 Review of the �山ǿ�� Retirement Policy
General Assembly considered a report from the Ministries Committee on the possibility of removing the normal retirement age of 68. ��

The review of the Church’s retirement policy is not complete, but the committee asked Assembly for an acknowledgment of its work so far, and for a steer on whether to continue in this direction.��

The Revd Mary Thomas, Convenor of the Committee, and Revd Nicola Furley-Smith, Secretary for Ministries presented the report and responded to questions and comments. ��

The first resolution, noting the work of the committee, was passed without discussion. ��

Asking Assembly’s guidance on whether to continue with the review, Ms Thomas said that a great deal of work and consultation had already happened and more would be needed. The question had financial implications, and it would have an impact on the question of planned changes to pastorates. ��

Ms Thomas said that the number of minsters likely to be affected in the coming years seemed small – most wish to retire at 68 or before. For those who do not, there is a process available to extend their ministry. ��

Thoughts shared in discussion included that it is useful to know one’s expected retirement time, and healthy to have that as a general approach.�� It is possible for ministers with the support of their pastorate or post, and of their Synod, to seek an extension to their ministerial service beyond the normal retirement age. ����

On the otherhand there is the question of equality, as a stated��retirement age can disproportionately affect less privileged groups. ��

The �山ǿ��’s Legal Adviser, Andy Middleton, explained that compulsory retirement is direct age discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, however unlike other forms of direct discrimination, direct age discrimination can be objectively justified if it is a “proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”.��

The General Secretary, the Revd Dr John Bradbury, pointed out that whichever way Assembly votes it will only be giving a steer to the committee, there will be much more work to do, and because of the complex legal issues that require further consideration,��it may be the case in the future that the General Assembly will be invited to make a different decision to the steer given by this resolution. ������

Assembly passed resolution 29b, giving a steer against removing the normal retirement age. The Ministries Committee will continue its work on retirement age and bring proposals to Assembly Executive in February 2026.��

Reporting team: Andy Jackson, Ann-Marie Nye, Steve Tomkins and Laurence Wareing.

Videos: Ann-Marie Nye. Photos Kevin Snyman.

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