A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church over the past seven days, 7-14 July 2025.
East Midlands Synod
Young and old flocked to East Midlands Synod’s 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 Rock UK, those attending enjoyed Godly Play, a huge zip slide, bouncy castle, games and a creative prayer trail based on the Moderator’s Talking Faith prayer. Members of Abington Avenue URC also ran an environmental craftivism workshop throughout the day.
Congratulations to the Revd Clare Davison who has been inducted to Stamford URC. Deputy Synod Moderator, the Revd Jane Wade conducted a joyful induction service where members from Spalding URC and St Andrew’s URC Peterborough attended to help welcome Clare into her new role.
Thames North Synod
Held at the eco-friendly Greenwood site of St Albans URC, 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 Café initiative, and welcoming wildlife into the church’s 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.
Amersham is also proud to have been given a “certificate of recognition” 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.
National Synod of Scotland
More than 100 people gathered at St Matthew’s Church in Perth in June for “Living the Hope Within”, a celebration marking 25 years of the National Synod of Scotland.
Drawing on the words of theologian Jürgen 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 URC, 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.
Sessions explored themes such as justice, storytelling, intergenerational ministry, and joyful singing, with a keynote Communion reflection from the Very Revd Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who urged the Church to “breathe in hope and exhale fear… breathe in community and banish them and us.” The gathering was both a milestone celebration and a powerful reminder of the hope that continues to inspire the Synod’s life and witness.
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.
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.
General Assembly’s Ecumenical guests
Members of the URC’s Mission team enjoyed a dinner with ecumenical guests at the 2025 meeting of General Assembly. Guests included: 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), Revd Géza Kacsó (Reformed community of Bátyú in Transcarpathia) and the Right Revd Rosemary (Rosie) Frew (Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland).
Eastern Synod
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 “powerful,” capturing both the weight of crisis and the warmth of community. The visit was hosted by Maldon URC’s Eco Church group.
