Clip and Climb at Jump Street - Indoor Climbing Adventure - 22nd February 2020

Clip and climb in Chelmsford is 32 individually themed climbing challenges varying in design and difficulty, testing agility and courage in different ways! The cost is £5 per person - Food is included Pizza, Crisps and drink.

Saturday 22nd February 2020 -  4.15pm - 6.30pm.  The Event is for young people aged between 11 to 18 - 12-13 Richmond Road, Dukes Park,Chelmsford  CM2 6UA

This is a great opportunity for Young People from across the synod to come together in a fun and active way and to meet young people from other churches. Please do put this date in your diary and encourage young people to come along and have fun.   Download: Clip and Climb Booking Form 

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 - tele 07515721172

Ministry Enquirers' Day - 22nd February 2020

Ministry Enquirers' Day Saturday 22nd February 2020 - Northern College, Luther King House, Manchester

• Explore opportunities for service through the United Reformed Church
• Ask the questions that are on your mind and in your heart
• Hear from people engaged in a variety of lay and ordained ministries
• Listen for the voice of God as we worship and pray together

For full details contact:  -   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Download: Ministry Enquirers' Day Poster

Stepwise Facilitators Taster Day 25th February 2020

At the United Reformed Church Eastern Synod, 36 Duxford Road, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4ND - 25th February 2020 Refreshments from 10.00am  Start: 10.30am  - Depart: 15.30pm - Lunch will be provided.

A day designed to inform, equip and enthuse potential facilitators for Stepwise. Facilitators are not tutors in the traditional sense, but will have experience to share and skills in enabling and encouraging the group in their discipleship development. Come expectant: God has exciting plans for his Church!      The day will include:

• Worship
• An introduction to Stepwise
• Some group work exploring and experiencing facilitation
• A Stepwise facilitated group taster session
• An opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback to the Stepwise team.

Download: Facilitators Taster Day Poster          Download: Booking Form        Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details

 URC Spirituality Gathering - 28th February - 1st March 2020

The URC Spirituality Gathering weekend - Seeking God in words and quietness from the 28^th February to 1^st March 2020 at Westminster College in Cambridge.  

Enabled by: Mark Argent, Ann Barton, Richard Church, Marion Thomas, Susan Durber and Terry Hinks

Drawing on the resources of Walking the Way and the URC Retreat Group. Book early as tickets are limited. 

Download: URC Spirituality Booking Form 

Safeguarding Training Good Practice  in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Saturday 29th February 2020 - 10.00am - 3.00pm  - Castle Hill United Reformed Church, Dryden Road, Ipswich, IP1 6QF

The URC Good Practice and Safeguarding training session.  It is primarily designed for people who work with children or young people on behalf of the United Reformed Church.  However, ministers, local church leaders, safeguarding coordinators, vulnerable adults  anyone looking for a basic introduction or refresher training for good practice in safeguarding children & young people are welcome to attend.

For further information please e-mail  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. telephone Sue Drane at the Synod Office 01223 830770

Download: Safeguarding Training Poster for Castle Hill URC, Ipswich 

If your church has a group of people (approximately 6-8) who require training and need a local and accessible venue, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Children's and Youth Development Officer(CYDO) to discuss hosting a session.

• Stepwise Facilitators' Day -  10am         25th February - Eastern Synod Office, Whittlesford
• Lay Presidency Training  - 7 for 7.30 -   12th March - (Note change of venue) Thetford URC
• Lay Preachers' Gift Days  -                    4th April, and 3rd October - Westminster College, Cambridge
• Ministers' Spring School -                     11th -15th May
• Synod Big Day Out -                            13th June - Trinity Park, Ipswich

Worship Roadshows introductory evenings, followed by a whole day event, supporting churches leading worship

Evening Bitesize Meetings: 7pm for 7.15pm – 9.15pm

• Monday 4th May -        Christ Church, Chelmsford
• Tuesday 5th May -       Whiting Street URC, Bury St Edmunds
• Wednesday  6th May    Ipswich Road URC, Norwich
• Thursday 21st May  -    Plume Avenue, Colchester 
• Monday 1st June -        Christ Church, Wickford

All-day workshop: 10am for 10.30am - 4pm   -  Saturday 19th September -  Whittlesford URC

For more information on Worship Roadshows  please E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Download: Worship Roadshows Poster

E:mail:  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.  regarding any of the above events     Download: Mission and Training Events Poster 

JPIT National Conference, Saturday 7th March 2020, Derby

The Riverside Centre, Riverside Court, Derby, DE24 8HY - Saturday 7th March 2020 

Is our economic system, with its principle of endless growth, destroying our environment and driving inequality? How should we live when facing environmental emergency and human suffering?

Join us for Renewal and Rebellion: Faith, Economy and Climate as we rethink economic structures and consider radical steps towards climate justice – in faith, for people and for the planet. Be inspired and provoked to pray, speak and act boldly for justice and peace in a new decade.

Featuring former Labour leader Ed Miliband, Katherine Trebek, Ross Greer MSP, Christine Allen and Anthony Reddie, with worship, workshops, panel discussion, poetry, art and conversation.

For more information and to book your place, visit www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/conference2020.

For enquiries or help booking tickets, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 020 7916 8632.   Download: JPIT National Conference flyer

Eastern Children's and Youth Synod - Saturday 21st March 2020

The Children's and Youth Synod Meeting will be held at: Lion Walk Colchester URC
Saturday  21st March 2020  -  10.00am - 4.00pm

The day is for children aged between 4 and 11 (Reception to year 6) And Young People age 11 (year 7) to 18

The theme of the day is 'Common Ground' using Acts 16:11-15 where Paul meets Lydia by the river we will explore being a missional disciple. There will be activities, crafts, stories, games, worship and time to chat. A picnic lunch will be provided along with soft drinks and snacks throughout the day.

This is a great opportunity for children and Young People to take part in Synod, in a fun and active way and to meet young people from other churches. Please do put this date in your diary and encourage children and Young People to come along and participate. To book a place download Booking Form  - for more 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  Telephone: 07515721172

Faith In Maintenance FREE Workshops - 21st March 2020

"Stave off decay by daily care." - William Morris
Maintenance might not be the most glamorous side of managing historic places of worship, but it can make all the difference. A little time spent on a basic building 'MOT' can save a great deal of money at a later date, but where do you start and what should you do? This FREE workshop will give many of the answers with professional advice and practical sessions.

Faith in Maintenance is an award-winning course from SPAB (the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) and thanks to support from National Lottery Players, we are delighted to be offering it to parishes and organisations in the Diocese of Ely. 

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. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day, but we kindly ask that you bring a packed lunch. Places are limited so we ask that no more than two people per parish or organisation attend. 

WORKSHOP Saturday 21st March 2020, 10:00am – 4.00pm Venue: St Peter and St Pauls' Church Hall, Wisbech, PE13 1HP

Booking and Contact: 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 

Download: Faith in Maintenance Poster               Download: Faith in Maintenance Press Release 

 A Gift to our lay Preachers & Worship Leaders - Saturday 4th April - Saturday 3rd October 2020

Theme: 'Pentecost' Led by Jonathon Soyars - Saturday 4th April 2020

Theme: 'Passover' Led by Alison Gray - Saturday 3rd October 2020

Eastern Synod and Westminster College A gift for our Lay-Preachers and Worship Leaders” - Join us at Westminster College for a day that will resource and refresh you for the gift of worship leading that you offer to our Synod, and end with sharing of communion. 

Leaders: 4th April - Jonathon Soyars Westminster College -  New Testament tutor.  Alongside Liz Bird (Synod Lay Preachers Advocate), Lindsey Brown (Synod Mission and Training Officer), and Nicola Grieves (Children and Youth Development Officer), who will be offering their experience in particular areas of knowledge.

Leaders: 3rd October - Alison Gray Westminster College - Old Testament tutor.

Eastern Synod, along with the whole United Reformed Church, is deeply indebted to the many lay people who freely give of their time to lead worship in our churches week by week. We would therefore like to offer something back. where up to thirty people can come together at Westminster College to be fed rather than to be those who feed others. The intention is to offer both spiritual and physical food. The day will start with coffee on arrival and include lunch. The rest of our time will be spent with input and discussion led by those leading the day.  

Download:  Lay Preachers Gift Day Booking Form