Monthly Archives: April 2021

A report published last week by the Trussell Trust reveals a record 2.5 million food parcels were distributed by their network of food banks in the past year. The figure represents a 33% increase on the previous year, including a … Continue reading →

Andy Jackson, Head of Communications for the United Reformed Church, recently shared news about a phishing attempt from someone claiming to be John Bradbury, the General Secretary of the URC. These emails had been seen before at Church House but this attempt had been sent to others in the wider Church.

Now that these emails seem to be using the names of Synod staff too, Andy shares some tips about how to tell that’s an attempt at fraud and what’s genuine.

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Retired United Reformed Church (URC) Minister the Revd Peter Beaman MBE has been awarded a Police and Crime Commissioner’s award for his service as a volunteer for Merseyside’s Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) scheme.

The annual Merseyside Police ‘Community First Awards’ recognise police officers, staff, volunteers and community partners for their dedication, bravery and professionalism.

Peter has chaired the ICV scheme since its inception in 1984, organising volunteers to visit police custody suites in Merseyside and ensuring that detainees are treated lawfully and with care and dignity by the police while in custody.

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More than 270 people attended the United Reformed Church Buildings Forum’s first online conference on 19 April.

Guest speakers included Andy Turner from the HeartEdge movement and the Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary of the URC.

In his address, John spoke about how it’s not the building that makes a Church, but its people:

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The Revd Adrian Bulley, currently Synod Clerk for the United Reformed Church (URC) National Synod of Wales and Convenor of the URC Business Committee, has been appointed the new Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship).

In January, Adrian had been seconded to the role of Assistant General Secretary, for a period of seven months, to assist the Revd Dr John Bradbury, URC General Secretary, who had been covering the deputy role following the retirement of the Revd Richard Church in July 2020.

As interim Assistant General Secretary, Adrian had concentrated on safeguarding as well as other areas of the department.

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Join contributors of Constance – Pioneer, Pastor, Preacher for the book’s official launch on 18 May from 7-8pm (BST/GMT+1).

The contributors will be joined by participants from the Constance Coltman centenary conference, members of the Congregational Federation, the

United Reformed Church (URC), the Council for World Mission and pioneers from around the world.

The event will include speakers, videos, poetry and worship.

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Generous donors have helped the United Reformed Church (URC) beat its initial fundraising target of £5,000 to raise a whopping £18,796 for Christian Aid.

First launched in February, the aim of the campaign is to provide people with the opportunity to show gratitude for their Covid-19 vaccines and help protect our global neighbours for whom the vaccine remains out of reach.

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The Revd Lythan Nevard, a United Reformed Church minister (URC) currently serving at the Cornerstone ecumenical project in Cranbrook, Exeter, and previously a minister in Hartlepool, Romford, Brixham and Babbacombe, has been nominated to be the next Moderator of Eastern Synod.

The nomination follows the move by the Revd Paul Whittle to serve as Moderator of the URC National Synod of Scotland.

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The Government’s recently published New Plan for Immigration gives details about a long-promised overhaul of the asylum system. The proposals are described as aiming to increase the fairness of the asylum system and deter illegal entry into the UK. However, … Continue reading →

The UK Government has opened a 6 week consultation on the ‘New Plan for Immigration’ proposals, which will end on 6th May 2021. They are inviting individual contributions, and collective responses from organisations. We are encouraging everyone who is able … Continue reading →