Join a Zoom conversation with Nicola Grieves thinking about our work with children and young people. A time to
chat, share ideas and ask questions, bring your own coffee or tea!
o Thursday 21st January 7.30 pm
o Thursday 28th January 2.30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83752456241 Meeting ID: 837 5245 6241
Following on from our overview of the role of Elder/Trustee in our churches. Suitable for all those in team leadership: ministers, stewards, deacons, elders and more. Online; max 90 minutes. Please email Lindsey to register. These sessions will start at 7.30pm.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. However, some areas observe it at Pentecost or some other time. Resources are available to download for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021, traditionally held between 18th -25th January 2021. Materials have been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland.
For 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are making the resources available to download only and printed versions will not be available to order.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021. The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family. Today the community has fifty sisters, all women from different generations, Church traditions, countries and continents. In their diversity the sisters are a living parable of communion. They remain faithful to a life of prayer, life in community and the welcoming of guests. The sisters share the grace of their monastic life with visitors and volunteers who go to Grandchamp for a time of retreat, silence, healing or in search of meaning. For 2021, the sisters are inviting churches across the world to enter into their tradition of prayer and silence that is rooted in the ancient traditions of the Church catholic.
Holding a Climate Sunday as a church is a great way to galvanise further action on Eco Church and contribute to progress on international action! Organised by a coalition of Christian charities and denominations, the Climate Sunday initiative's goal is to facilitate 1000s of churches to take long term action themselves on climate change in the critical years ahead. By participating in the initiative, churches will also be able to raise a loud and united Christian voice for bolder action by governments in the run up to the COP26 UN climate negotiations, to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November 2021. This relates to the Global and Community Engagement sections of the Eco Church programme. Read more about encouraging your church to get involved here.
At Rocha UK will also putting on a special webinar briefing on 'Climate Sunday and Eco Church' for Eco Church representatives. It will take you through the objectives of Climate Sunday, how it supports churches advancing on their Eco Church journey and how Eco Churches can make a significant contribution to the bold and timely aims of Climate Sunday in the critical year ahead. Speakers will include James Anthony, Project Coordinator of the Climate Sunday initiative and Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager at A Rocha UK. The free webinar will run on 26 January at 11am and again at 7:30pm, allowing you a choice of times to suit your needs. Register here
January 26th - 27th 2021 (two sessions: Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon by Zoom) This is primarily designed for people who are new in post, but it can also be a useful refresher for more established DEOs. With more flexibility afforded by Zoom, bookings are still open.
The Course tutors will be the National Ecumenical Officers (NEOs) from the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Baptist Union, Salvation Army and URC. Churches Together in Wales (Cytun) will also be represented and the Course is facilitated by Churches Together in England (CTE). Because of Covid-19, there will not be the usual requirement to make an ecumenical visit beforehand.
The Course is designed to be interactive and fun. It is also free of charge. View: Full information and how to book the current course
Stepwise is the URC’s discipleship development programme, which we had planned to launch at last March’s Synod Meeting. This meeting was cancelled, due to COVID.
We will now be launching an online Stepwise group in late January as a way of introducing the programme to the Synod. If you would like to learn more, please watch this Stepwise film on YouTube, or to join us please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
A one-off event for 2021 will be taking place over the usual Youth Assembly weekend (30th and the 31st January):
On the Saturday evening, 30th January, between 8 and 9:30pm there is going to be a “Fun with ‘Folk On’” event which will be on Zoom. It will be a great opportunity to socialise, enjoy some amazing music by Folk On and most importantly to have fun!
On the Sunday evening, 31st January, between 8 and 8:45 pm is our Youth (dis)ASSEMBLED worship which will be led by our wonderful chaplain, Ali Gray. A chance to reflect, worship and pray for the year ahead within the URC (with time afterwards to pray, discuss or chat if you so wish) Visit: (dis)ASSEMBLED to book a free place. View: URC Website for further details.
Saturday 13 February 2021 and Tuesday 27 April 2021
An opportunity to gather with others and explore, learn and reflect together on how ministry with children in both peer and intergenerational settings can nurture the spirituality and faith formation of all involved. Be part of a community of practice that engages in this together. It’s a learning journey for anyone working with and amongst children: church leaders, licensed lay ministers, Messy Church leaders, those in paid or voluntary roles (including toddler groups), Sunday group/children’s work leaders, helpers and parents/carers, young/junior leaders, those in uniformed organisations.
Creating Space with children is a project delivered in partnership by ROOTS for Churches,The United Reformed Church, The Methodist Church and The Church of England. Find out more about Creating space with children.
View Website: Creating space with children to book
Church Action on Poverty Sunday 2021 will explore the theme 'New Wineskins' - as we journey together through these difficult times, how can we ensure people on the margins are fully included in our work for a new and better world? Use our resources to reflect on the theme in church, and raise funds to ensure people in poverty have dignity, agency and power. Please mark the date in your diary - and make sure your church and worship team know about it. Register your interest below, and we will send you a resource pack in October with fundraising and worship materials. Bible Studies on the Acts of the Apostles from Church Action on Poverty. Register to take part in Church Action on Poverty Sunday
Lent 2021: Life-Changing Stories
If you run Lent programmes in your church, please consider using our Scripture on the Margins materials. In 2021, we're looking at the Acts of the Apostles, as a story of how people on the margins were empowered to go out and change the world. There will be five studies by Nick Jowett, Raj Patta, Sue Richardson, Jan Sutch Pickard and Ruth Wilde. Life-Changing Stories will be published on 8 October. If you can, please talk to the people who plan your church's Lent programme, and encourage them to bear it in mind when they start planning!
Ministry Enquirers' Event to help you to think about God's call to Worship Leading, Lay Preaching, Ministry with children and young people, the Ministry of Word and Sacraments or Church Related Community Work. Have you ever considered a ministry of some sort, lay or ordained? Has someone suggested it to you? Are you exploring a possible Call?
These Enquirers’ events will be held online on Saturday 27th February from 10am to 3pm online and Saturday 2nd October 2021, with an invitation to visit a college afterwards for more information, if desired. They will seek to include a variety of ministries and ways that are possible, within the URC, to respond to a Call to ministry. Contact Lindsey for further details.
FX The Gathering a decision has been made to make the 16th and 17th March
Please continue to hold these dates in your diary and we will be in touch with more details for this gathering in the new year. If you have any questions please get in touch with Suzie Wall 2021 community gathering an online event.
Welcome to Westminster, where
imagination inspires faith and living
There are a range of events at Westminster College, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0AA throughout the year. Click on the link below for further information and to book a place.
For more information on events listed below visit Training Events Westminster College 2021
Website: Westminster College Resource Center for Learning Website: Westminster College Windows of opportunity Westminster College Facebook
Our East Anglia team is also putting together a taster of Dunamis' day on 27th February (over Zoom) which you are welcome to join. You don't need to be attending the East Anglia Dunamis Project to come to the online event. Please get in touch with the Bookings Administrator (Ada) if you are interested to know more. Dunamis Project : In the Spirit’s Power - Monday evening meal until Friday lunch time (included) Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, Ditchingham, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 2DZ
Jesus gave his followers a mission and promised the Holy Spirit to equip them for the task. Yet many Christians today have little first-hand experience of how to cooperate with the Spirit. Our understanding and expectations may be limited by a lack of teaching. Perhaps past experiences and hurts make us cautious about exploring various spiritual gifts that Jesus offers through his Holy Spirit. In the Spirit’s Power looks at how Christians, can know the presence and power of the Holy Spirit for themselves. A mix of Biblical teaching, discussion, practical experience and thoughtful reflection, you can grow in:
● Unders'tanding a variety of spiritual gifts ● Learning to cooperate with the Spirit’s activity
● Discovering useful tests for discernment ● Being filled with the Holy Spirit for service
Join us for this life-changing event, and discover how much more God can do in and through you ! To book a place contact the Bookings Administrator Mrs This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 07940 823 135 Booking fee is £80, with the balance due by 12th April 2021 Download - Booking Details from the Dunamis Website
Future events for 2021/2022 (prices TBA)
Mon 4 – Fri 8 Oct 2021 – The Power of Prayer
Mon 14 – Fri 18 March 2022 – The Healing Ministry of Jesus - Mon 3 – Fri 7 Oct 2022 – Spiritual Warfare - TBA Spring 2023 – Listening Evangelism
Crossfire Christian Camp which is run by GEAR (Group for Evangelism and Renewal in the United Reformed Church in conjunction with URC Youth. It has been running for over 35 years. Venue: Stathern Lodge Farm, Nr Melton Mowbray LE14 4EX .
Plans for next year are already underway and we'll be in contact with more information later this year. In the meantime why not save the dates. Friday 28th - Monday 31st May 2021. If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Our prayers are with you and your family at this challenging time.
For more information and booking details go to Crossfire website.
Vision Initiatives
Find out more about: Walking the Way Vision4Life Vision2020 and Fresh Expressions
Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk. We work to the United Reformed Good Practice Policy and Procedures
The Purpose and Mission of the Synod; the Synod Meeting; our Area Partnerships; each of our Committees and the calendar of meeting dates.
Find out who's who on the Synod Office Team. If you are unsure who to get in touch with, use the Contact Us
