Day four of the 2025 meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, held at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, opened with another Bible study led by Dr Francesca Nuzzolese, Professor of Pastoral Care at the Waldensian Theological School in Rome.
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 URC.
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 URC’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 URC’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. Learn more about Inclusive Church.
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 2026-2027
The Revd Neil Thorogood, who has been elected Moderator-Elect 2025-2026, 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 URC to present an alternate view of society, to tell the chief representative of our country what the URC 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 URC 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 URC 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 URC’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 URC 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).
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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 URC, 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 URC 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 URC.
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 URC 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 URC 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.