The Big Speak Out: 5th to 7th July 2019

After the success of last year's Big Speak Out, we are delighted to announce that 11 to 18 year olds associated with the URC will be able to take part in another TBSO weekend this year, this time in the beautiful Derbyshire village of Repton. Repton School is a beautiful old boarding school which takes over much of the village and we have the use of two boarding houses with full catering for the weekend. On Friday from 6pm onwards, you'll settle into your room in one of the two boarding houses and share in a delicious hot meal. There will be times to explore your faith, develop skills and talents and think about making your mark, times to hang out with old friends and make new ones, times to play games, watch movies, share in worship, take part in workshops, to discuss, to learn, to make music or do craft, and times to chill and relax. What an action packed weekend!

As last year, there will be a Leaders' Gathering running simultaneously for adults who work with children and young people. Leaders should contact the CYW office for more information. Early bird bookings before 5pm Friday 26 April £69  Bookings after 5pm Friday 26 April £85  Bookings close Monday 10 June 2019 Remember, if finance is an issue, you can ask your church, your synod or the CYW small grants fund for assistance.

Download: The Big Speak Out Booking Form 

Bradwell Gathering Pilgrimage - 6th July 2019

Bradwell Pilgrimage has been running in one way, shape or form for nearly 100 years and gathers people from across Essex (and beyond) for a day of pilgrimage, worship and activities at the historic St Peter’s Chapel in Bradwell-on-Sea. (You can read more about the chapel here)

The 2019 Bradwell Pilgrimage and Gathering will take place on Saturday 6th July and will run from 10:30am until 3:45pm.

The details of the day are currently being finalised but you can expect:

 Download:  Bradwell Gathering Poster                       Website: Bradwell Pilgrimage

Danbury Mission Church are delighted to be hosting Lou Fellingham Live on Saturday 13th July, 2019

With a heart that longs for people to know God's outrageous love, Lou is tireless in her pursuit to write and record powerful songs, and to lead people in singing truth that lifts heads and stirs hearts.

This will be a night of worship, suitable for all. Whether your thing is singing along or just listening, come and enjoy some inspiring melodies, wrapped around God-exalting lyrics, and performed by a first-class band.

Doors: 7.00pm - Starts: 7.30pm Please book via our website    

Contact: Jo Dobson Tel 01245 227428 Danbury Mission 54 Maldon Road Danbury Essex CM3 4QL  - Website: Danbury Mission Church  

Rock Choir Live Concert 13th July 2019

Christ Church Methodist/URC Church, London Road,Braintree,Essex,CM7 1TW

Saturday 13th July 2019 from - 7pm to 9pm   Ticket price £7.00

Last year we saw an unprecedented number of visitors. Braintree Area Foodbank have fed 4,800 people with over 2,000 of them being children and with the stagnation of wages, low incomes, rise in living costs and Universal credit we continually need the help supplied by local communities.

Rock Choir is the pioneering contemporary choir of the UK and remains unique with over 20,000, members across the UK. Each member is welcomed into the Rock Choir family and their journey allows music, friendship and a new found confidence to impact their everyday lives. They have created a safe, up-lifting, and exciting experience for all who attend.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Vanessa Green Telephone 01376 330694  Website:   Braintree Area Food Bank     Download: Rock Choir Live Poster  

URC Holiday Forum 2019 - A story waiting to be told - 17th - 23rd August 2019

URC HOLIDAY FORUM 2019 Saturday 17th to Friday 23rd August 2019. We would like to invite you to join us in Swanwick in August for URC Holiday Forum 2019 on the theme of A story waiting to be told.

FUN, FAITH and FELLOWSHIP A Christian holiday for all ages at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 1AU. 

A story waiting to be told… We can’t change history but there are many untold stories which can change the future through how history is remembered. Telling the story is what Jesus did so well and new stories can be told through fiction and non-fiction; gospel and testimony; song and poetry so come and write a new story or, as the Psalmist says, sing a new song to the Lord! Behind every story written and heard there are many more waiting to be told and YOUR story is what the Lord wants you to tell. This is a week to be inspired and inspire with visions and dreams knowing that if you can imagine something it is possible with God.

• Theme Leader - Revd Richard Becher
• Worship Leaders - Revd Iain McLaren and Steven Neville
• Music Leader – Marion Turner (and friends) 

Look online: URC Holiday Club Forum 2019  on Facebook and Twitter.  If you wish to book for Holiday Forum 2019, please use the Booking Form on this website or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Conservation Cleaning  - 10th September 

Free Workshops: Places still available on This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and meet other people from across the Diocese. This workshop is open to anyone looking after an historic place of worship as long as the buildings falls within the boundaries of the Diocese of Ely. It is open to all faiths and organisations. Thanks to support from National Lottery players, there are two opportunity to attend this workshop – booking is open for both:

WORKSHOP TWO:Tuesday 10^th September, 10:00am – 4pm Venue: St Clement's Church, Church Terrace, Outwell, PE14 8RQ. - Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Arrangements for lunch to be confirmed.

Places are limited so we ask that no more than one person per parish or organisation attends.

Booking and Contact: E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Historic Church Buildings Support Officer Tel: 07948 350211 or 01353 652705   Lots of information you will find helpful in the management of your church building can be found on the Churchcare website   Download: Conservation Cleaning Poster    Download: Conservation Cleaning Press Release

Eastern Synod Youth Fun Day 14th September 2019

The Playground, Haysborder Road, Barrow, Suffolk IP29 5BE

The day is for young people aged between 11 to 18 - The cost for the day is £5 per person.

Come and experience the 1Km assault course with 25 different obstacles including slides, nets and walls and perhaps a muddy ditch or two! This is a great opportunity for children and Young People from across the synod to come together in a fun and active way and to meet young people from other churches.

A picnic lunch will be provided along with soft drinks and snacks throughout the day.

Please do put this date in your diary and encourage Young People to come along and have fun.

For further information please contact - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Children's and Youth Development Officer  
Tel 07515721172   Download: Youth Fun Day Booking Form 

Being Old, Being Bold - 25th September 2019

Living by faith, seeking truth, and accepting challenge  Are you interested in making more of life for older people

Christians on Ageing is a resource to the Churches and a voice for older people.  This conference will help us to plan new ways of giving support, spreading ideas and promoting good practice in the Church? You are invited to join us for a conference. This is a rare opportunity to hear what can be done  AND to tell us what you are doing.

25th September 2019 - A central venue in Sheffield - 10 am to 4 pm Cost: £30 including all papers, refreshments and lunch (Members of Christians on Ageing £25 using code in plus magazine Summer 2019 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) 
The day will include:

• David Jolley, Honorary Reader The University of Manchester; retired Consultant and Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, reflecting on Intergenerational Fairness & Provision
• Helen McCormack, currently Ministry with Older People Development Worker, Northallerton asking Special Need or Special Contribution?
• Rita and Paul Conley, The Salvation Army reporting on Older Prisoners, New Ways of Working
• Albert Jewell, retired Chaplain in MHA and Methodist minister discussing People with Dementia: a Christian Response
• Contributions from participants on local Church activity
• Inter-active Musical Interlude with a Sheffield U3A Ukulele Group

TO BOOK Visit our website  Click on 'Conference'.  Go to 'Book here'.  Complete form and send. Website:  Christians on Ageing for more information 

Church Leadership Programme 7th-11th October 2019 and 27th April - 1st May 2020

Transforming leadership from the inside out Strengthening personal qualities, insights and skills for effective Christian leadership. The residential elements of the programme are to be held from the 7th to 11th of October 2019 and from 27th of April to the 1st of May 2020, at Wydale Hall, Yorkshire.

What does it seek to achieve?

• to continue to place Christian leadership within the context of vocation and ministry within the United Reformed Church
• to enable growth in personal formation for participants, and extend the knowledge and skills necessary for effective Christian leadership
• reflection on personal leadership experience, alongside new ways of leadership discernment
• to develop leaders who enable United Reformed Churches to become communities of more faithful disciples, better equipped to share in the Mission of God – Walking the Way of Jesus Today

This programme is for people in recognised church leadership roles and those in public ministry as ministers of Word and sacraments and church-related community workers. The course benefits those with some experience of Christian leadership, including those nearing retirement. There are up to 16 places each time the programme runs. The Church Leadership Programme (CLP) takes place over two residential weeks, Monday to Friday, approximately 6 months apart. The first week concentrates on the personal qualities and skills which are core to a leader; the second focuses on how these are translated within public leadership. Between the two parts there is a personal development project which is particular to each participant. It helps to put learning into practice and embeds the spiritual, emotional and intellectual changes engendered in the first week.

Each residential week costs £265, making the total £530. Each week is in a different calendar year, making it possible for grants to be sought more easily from various sources.  Download: Church Leadership Programme Further Details 

In Harmony - Biennial Festival of Church Music at Guildford Cathedral 12th October 2019

Biennial Festival of Church Music at Guildford Cathedral - Saturday 12 October 2019

Our next Festival in Guildford Cathedral are well under way. The theme of the service is “Stewards of Creation” and the anthems to be sung are:-

• Jubilate Deo  -  Pamela Colverson
• Give to our God immortal praise -  Christopher Norton
• This is my Father’s world -  arr. Sally DeFord
• For the beauty of the earth -  David Blackwell
• Creation -  Andrew Winton
• Jesus shall reign - Hatton arr. Shaw
• O Lamb of God - John Taverner
• Look at the world -  John Rutter
• Day by day -  Martin How
• Now the day is over  - Sidney J. Suckling

We hope that many of you will be able to join us either as part of a choir, or as an individual singer. The anthem books will be available from the middle of February and the cost per book is £11 which includes postage or £10 if collected. The books contain the conductor’s notes for use at local choir practices.

Website: Free Church Choirs