CELEBRATE: SYNOD BIG DAY OUT

Two years in the planning, 450 people of all ages, loads of smiles, laughter and delight. It felt good to be the URC.

View: Synod Big Day Out Report, Pictures & Quotes  View:  Pictures from Eastern Synod Family Day 13th June 2015

200th Anniversary Celebration - Princess Street United Reformed Church Norwich

A special service held at Princes Street United Reformed Church, Norwich, to mark its 200th anniversary. Revd Nigel Uden was accompanied by The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Vaughan Thomas, and The Worshipful the Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Marian Prinsley

On Sunday 1st December 2019 was 200 years to the exact date that the first act of worship was held in the building. Over 100 people gathered from across all six United Reformed Churches in the Norwich area for the service led by the two group ministers Revd John Potter and Revd Bruno Boldrini. Revd Uden preached the sermon referencing the same Bible text from Exodus 20 that was used in the first service on 1st Dec 1819.

Mr David Uden (a relation of Revd Nigel) played the famous Willis organ and a combined choir enhanced the worship. Revd Nigel Uden (centre) Co-Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church cuts the celebration cake after. He was accompanied by The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Vaughan Thomas, and The Worshipful the Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Marian Prinsley.

The cake was enjoyed by everyone with a cuppa afterwards. Revd John Potter said: “The service was a truly inspirational celebration of the 200 years of this church and an opportunity for us to reflect on Advent Sunday what may be ahead of us in the future.”

HOLY HABITS in HAEBEA

The churches of North Weald, Chipping Ongar and Epping (High Street and Lindsey Street), are benefitting from Andrew Roberts' book 'Holy Habits' (published by Malcolm Down Publishing). The book challenges Christians to adopt a lifestyle of faith based upon the habits of early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles.

By way of an introduction to discipleship last autumn, Revd Cecil White, had successfully rolled out three duplicate sessions across each of the four churches. Now, in 2019, he continues with three themed studies on 'the Apostles' teaching', 'fellowship', and 'the breaking of bread'. He says, "These sessions are best suited to small groups and the way I am programming it is so as not to create weekly study groups for ever, but to do bite-sized studies with breaks in between."

Christ Church Wickford Carnival - September 2018

The Wickford Carnival is one of well known and much cherished events in Essex.  It's becoming a yearly event in which Christ Church is very active.  This year, the event was organised on Saturday 8th September from 10.00 a m to 5.00 p m.  Two main aspects dominated the event:       View:   Report and Pictures 

Leaside Church and Community Centre – Opening Weekend 21st - 22nd  July 2018

All welcome at Leaside

Leaside Church and Community Centre in Ware recently marked the completion of its £800,000 building project with a weekend of celebrations. People came from near and far to admire the improvements which have transformed the existing buildings, creating the opportunity for Leaside to extend its outreach through more activities for children, the elderly and other community organisations.  Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten, Dance Jam Academy, the Listening Place, Herts Welcomes Syrian Families, and Leaside’s art, craft and exercise classes all set up displays in the Hall to publicise their activities.

A crowd gathered to watch Mark Prisk MP officially open the Centre on the Saturday afternoon. In declaring the Centre open, Mr Prisk said “This is a brilliant link between Church and Community for everyone in Ware.”

Download: Leaside Church and Community Centre Report and Pictures 

Wrentham Chapel Labyrinth

At Wrentham Chapel we have a labyrinth mown into the front lawn with a suitable explanation fixed onto an adjacent wall. This piece of lawnmower art in the grounds of Wrentham Chapel, Suffolk is ecologically sound, spiritually enlightening and fun!

View Youtube link for a short film of the labyrinth which includes a poem written about it by Suffolk Quaker, Kaaren Whitney.

View: Wrentham Chapel Labyrinth Youtube Link