Transforming Faith, Transforming Life 23rd June 2018

A thanksgiving service for Training for Learning and Serving (TLS)

The Church at Carrs Lane, Birmingham (Directions can be found at http://carrslane.co.uk/)

23rd June 2018  - Worship will begin at 11.30 a.m.

Preacher: Revd John Proctor, United Reformed Church General Secretary 

Drinks will be available from 10.30 a.m. and a buffet lunch will be served from 1 p.m.

The event is free and no tickets are required but it will be helpful for catering numbers if you could indicate your intention to attend by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   by Friday 1st June 2018 

Clare Priory Retreat 29th June - 1st July 2018  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. 

TIME FOR THE GIFT OF GRACE - This retreat will be led by Revd Mary Irish and Sister Karen Knight.

Friday 29th June - Sunday 1st July 2018 - Clare Priory, Ashen Road, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8NX 

This retreat day offers the opportunity to slow down and find rest through guided study and reflection, individual quiet time.  Clare Priory has been a place of prayer for many centuries. The monastery, new church and beautiful grounds offer peaceful surroundings, inviting us into the presence of God   

The weekend will start late Friday afternoon and finish after lunch on Sunday. The accommodation is full board and most rooms are en suite. The charge for this retreat is £140 per person. This includes all meals. The cost of the retreat can be met from Lay Preachers allowances if applicable. 

The Closing date for booking is 1st June 2018.         Download: Clare Priory Retreat Booking Form    Download: Clare Priory Retreat Poster 

Further Information from  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  - Synod Office  01223 830770        Website: Clare Priory 

Bradwell Gathering Pilgrimage - 7th July 2018 

This year sees a move from a more generalised Festival towards an event oriented around prayer and worship. This will consist of:

The pilgrimage – leaving from 10.30 at the Marina or 11.00 at the church (preceded at the church at 10.30 by some worship)

The arrival of a flotilla of boats having sailed from Holy Island
A worship zone – A MainStage with worship and talks (line-up to be announced)
A prayer zone – A chance to pray around the peace labyrinth
A story telling zone – A place for stories, ideal for children. This venue will include Open the Book.
A merchandise ‘village’ and refreshment area based around Othona

Worship, Prayer, Talks, Storytelling, Inspiration, Encouragement, Celebration and a Flotilla of Boats from Lindisfarne

Download:  Bradwell Gathering Poster                       Website: Bradwell Pilgrimage

The Big Speak Out - 6th - 8th July 2018

A weekend of fun, faith, friendship, fellowship and finding a voice for  - 11-18s -come and have your say!!

Open to all 11 - 18 year-olds associated in any way with the URC - and will engage with the URC's 2018 General Assembly. 

The Big Speak out - University of Nottingham, Beeston Lane, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG7 2RU 

Dinner Friday 6th to Lunch Sunday 8th July inclusive Full Cost £125 per person - Pilots will pay half so ONLY £62.50! 

Download: The Big Speak Out Booking Form before 4th May 2018 or contact the Children's and Youth Office 020 7916 8683 Leaders are welcome to accompany groups and attend the Leaders Gathering - (please ask local church or synod for help with funding).

Eldership on the Frontline July 2018  

Friday 6th – Sunday 8th  and Wednesday 11th – Friday 13th July 2018

A chance to be refreshed and resourced for the important role Elders play in the URC. As the tasks and role change along with society you will be given the chance to think about what this means for you and your church and to hear stories and experiences that will get you thinking and sharing together.

Cost: £125.00   In brief: Pick the dates that suit your diary

More information: Leaflet (see booking form below)
To book: Please print and complete booking form (pdf), or alternatively contact 

Claudia This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or by post to Tutorial Office, Westminster College, Cambridge, CB3 0AA

Celebrating Norfolk Service - 27th July 2018

You are warmly invited to Celebrating Norfolk Service - An Ecumenical Celebration for Christians on Norfolk Day 

The Church of St Peter Mancroft, 

 Faith In Maintenance Training Day 13th July 2018  - Free Training Day 

Friday 13 July 2018 (held alongside the SPAB Working Party) St Margaret's Centre, Barking, IG11 8AS

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings Faith in Maintenance course is for those who care for faith buildings of all dates and types, often as volunteers. We provide training to help you understand how your building works and how to solve problems caused by leaky gutters and blocked drains.  This free one-day course will help you:

• Recognise potential problems         Tackle common maintenance tasks 
• Understand inspections and report     Know when to call in expert help

As well as talks, the day includes a practical exercise looking at elements of a faith building and learning to identify issues. There are also opportunities for discussion with professionals and other delegates. Everyone who attends will receive a free copy of the SPAB's Good Maintenance Guide. (Morning and afternoon refreshments are provided, but lunch is not included.) This course is presented free of charge alongside the SPAB's annual week-long Working Party which, this year, takes place at Eastbury Manor, Barking (11 - 18 July) in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The Working Party is part of the SPAB's annual programme of practical and educational activities. For more information about it. visit: https://www.spab.org.uk/whats-on/ regional-groups-events/working-party-2018.

Faith in Maintenance course programme. 40 places are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
You can contact us with any queries at: E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Telephone: 020 7456 0915   Download: Poster and Booking Form 

URC Holiday Forum 2018 - 'Jesus Shaped Church' 2018 

URC HOLIDAY FORUM 2018 Saturday 18 to Friday 24 August 2018 Jesus-shaped Church - mission and discipleship versus survivalism - We would like to invite you to join us in Swanwick in August for URC Holiday Forum 2018 on the theme of Jesus Shaped Church.

FUN, FAITH and FELLOWSHIP A Christian holiday for all ages at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 1AU. 
 
And what a fantastic team to help celebrate an anniversary year in Forum’s history!

• Theme Leader - Lawrence Moore
• Worship Leaders - Rev Kay Alberg, Rev David Fraser, Rev David Legge, Rev Iain McLaren, Rev Jenny Mills, Rev John Steele
• Music Leader – Cathryn Rogers

Look online: www.urcholidayforum.org.uk, on Facebook and Twitter. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

The cost is for full board, breakfast, lunch and dinner are generous meals. Morning coffee and afternoon tea are included and there is a well stocked gift shop and a bar. If there are financial reasons why you may not be able to attend then please get in touch with us as we have our own bursary fund available to assist and we may be aware of other funding options. If you have any queries on this then please contact Alison Foxwell, the Bookings Secretary by email at or phone her on 01444 416466. I hope that you may also consider encouraging your synod and church members to attend. For more information please click on the links below for a Booking Form and Booking Form Extra Information   Website: URC Holiday Forum 

Working Safely....Pastoral Supervision and Education 4th-5th September 2018

Vanbrugh College, University of York The Warren, Vanbrugh Way, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD Telephone: 01904 323213 

The Conference Theme: Trauma Informed Supervision

THE conference will explore the impact on supervisors of supporting supervisees experiencing trauma. Our role requires us to listen and respond, but we may feel ill-equipped and lacking the experience to do this appropriately. The experiences shared with us may push us beyond our knowledge and comfort zone; so what do we do?  The speakers and workshop convenors come with a wealth of experience in this area of  supervision and we are delighted to welcome them to share this time with us.  Keynote Speakers:  Anthea Millar, MA, MBACP(Snr. Accred), Dip.IIP, UKRC

Website: APSE for Booking and further  Information                     

WHY MANAGE?  - LINE MANAGEMENT TRAINING 17th-18th September 2018

Are you a volunteer or a staff member line managing people?  This course is designed just for you! It gives you the opportunity to learn about the tools and skills required for first Line Management, with sessions exploring the essentials required for line managing people. Training will be delivered by Jane Baird and Helen Bird from URC Church House 

Venue: LUTHER KING HOUSE, Brighton Grove, Manchester M14 5JP

Session one:           17th September 9.30am to 4.30pm
Session two:           18th September 9.30am to 4.30pm

Session One - covers aspects of Line Management such as the basics; managing performance (induction, probation, appraisals); working hours and managing absence – holidays, 'Time off in lieu' and sickness. Session Two - covers flexible working, sickness, capability, disciplinary, grievance and equalities.

It is advisable to attend both sessions, but you can attend just one of them.  You can attend daily or accommodation can be booked at Luther King House      (0161 224 6404) via Rita or directly with LKH.  You are advised to book quickly. Places must be booked via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel. 07838 103310    Download:  Further Details and Booking Form