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Keeping you informed with the latest news from around the URC |
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A church with people at the margins |
Seventy-
four people attended the first in a series of webinars to help
congregations become places where people at the margins are loved,
nurtured and empowered.
Hosted
by Roo Stewart, Head of Public Issues, in collaboration with Mike Hart,
Transformation Director for North Western Synod, the first webinar,
held on 16 February, explored themes such as how church growth and
engagement with people at the margins are not competing priorities, but
complementary. Learn more about the webinar and how to register for the second session in the series. |
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Children, Youth & Intergenerational |
The
spring edition of Commitment for Life (CfL's) Moving Stories is
available for download. Each edition focuses one of CfL's current
partner countries: Bangladesh, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territory and Zimbabwe. The newsletters are published four times a
year and are available in PDF and Word versions. Visit a region on the CfL webpage to access the newsletter.
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Donations reach more £42,000 for URC's Jamaica appeal |
An
appeal launched by the URC to help bring relief to Jamaican communities
devasted by Hurricane Melissa has topped more than £42,000. The funds
raised will be donated to the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman
Islands which is helping to repair more than 50 churches and responding
to the needs of their respective communities. Donations are still welcome. Image: World Central Kitchen/Flickr/CC BY 4.0 |
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Volunteer with the URC at Greenbelt |
Be
a part of the fun with the URC team at Greenbelt Festival, taking place
27–30 August at Boughton House, near Kettering. Our large team of
volunteers is crucial to everything we do. As a URC volunteer, you will
receive free weekend entry to the festival, food vouchers and more! Learn all about how to volunteer. |
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Curious
about undergraduate study? Register for an open day at Luther King
Theological College to discover life in the college’s academic and
spiritual community in Manchester, and experience inclusive theological
education in one of Britain’s greatest cities. Register to attend an
open day on take place on 17 March and 28 April. Book your place for the 17th and/or 28th. |
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Eager
pancake flippers once again gathered at Salisbury High Street on Shrove
Tuesday for the town's annual International Pancake Race, in aid of
Salisbury Foodbank. Salisbury URC was well-represented by two younger
members, Alice and Lydia, who ran for church in two of the junior rounds
and each won their heat. |
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Congratulations
to Jennie Macfadyen, Church Secretary of Trinity Church. a URC, Baptist
and Methodist LEP, who has been commission as a Local Worship Leader.
Jennie has successfully completed a lay preaching course and is now
excited to continue preaching the gospel in local churches. |
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There
were smiles all round at Grange Park URC in Leyton as Rhona Lawrenson
was commissioned as a Locally Recognised Worship Leader. A special
service was led by the Revd Shahbaz Javed and the commissioning was
celebrated by Rhona's mentor, Francis Ackroyd, and her fellow Elders. |
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A
warm welcome to Jack Sturgess of Abbots Road URC, who was recently
baptised by immersion. A regular at church and the Alpha Seekers group,
Jack shared a moving testimony at his baptism, speaking honestly about
his life-changing journey of faith which moved the congregation. |
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Take part in Climate Stewards' carbon fast this Lent |
Join
Climate Steward's Carbon Fast designed to helps us think about our
carbon footprint this Lent. Explore whether there is any excess or
unnecessary use in our lives that act as a distraction to our
relationship with God. With a different focus each week, you’ll learn
more, ask questions, and focus on what God thinks about these areas of
our lives. Join the initiative. |
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Lent: Explore Lectionary readings through lens of caring for creation |
As
your congregation travels through Lent, here is an opportunity for your
weekly sermons to examine the Lectionary readings through the lens of
caring for creation. "Preaching Creation Crucified" includes sermon
scripts, short videos and liturgy suitable for a fresh look at these
familiar readings by the Revd David Coleman, Eco Congregation Scotland. Learn more. |
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The
10/15/40 Lent Challenge by North Western Synod is an opportunity to
slow down just enough to notice where God is already at work and who God
might be placing in your path. Each day during Lent, pray a simple
15-word prayer, “Gracious God, today is there someone you want me to
connect with outside the church?” and stay alert to what God may already
be doing. That’s it! 10 seconds, 15 words, 40 days. Learn more. |
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Download or print News Update |
A
downloadable version of News Update, formatted for print, and for
churches to copy and paste into church newsletters or
magazines will be available within a week of this edition being
published. Download your printable version of News Update. |
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If
you have a good news story that can inspire, raise hope or show God's
work in action then please let URC Communications know. We would love to
help share your news across the denomination and in local news outlets.
Email the URC Press Office call 07976 753 950. |
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This month in Reform magazine |
The coming issue of Reform
magazine is expected to be the last before it changes it name. What
will the new name be? Will you love it or hate it? All will be revealed
in what, for now, we’re going to keep calling Reform. Another new development in Reform is resource for those leading services and preaching in local churches. If this is you, take a look in Issue 2. Also
in Issue 2: How should we respond to Christian nationalism? Stay in
touch with what’s happening in the URC across the country with our
Church’s magazine. Whatever it’s called. View the range of subscription offers. |
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Please order online using the URC Bookshop’s easy-to-use website www.urcshop.co.uk or by calling 020 7916 8629. |
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Worship from The United Reformed Church. These
updated resources for worship are offered to the church as a
contribution to the conduct of public worship. The core services are
contained within the 424-page loose-leaf, hole punched, A5 edition,
which has been completely redesigned to be more accessible.
£18.99-£24.99 + p&p. (Folder available). |
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New design: URC logo window sticker - a window
sticker to show your involvement with the URC. Ideal for vehicle
windows or windscreens, windows in offices, flats, bungalows, houses, caravans and church buildings, or for glass partitions and doors. Free, p&p applies. |
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Good Practice 6 - Safeguarding people is a core part of the URC’s mission. Good Practice 6 is the latest best practice book from the URC. This is where you can purchase additional copies. |
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From
the URC's Digital Worship team, a regular resource for anyone who leads
and plans worship. Each week’s Worship Notes contains prayers for
Sunday services, thoughts on readings and hymn suggestions. Access our Worship Notes for free. |
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The
URC Crisis Communications Plan is a free, updated guide to support
Ministers, Elders and staff with best practice tips for dealing with the
media, a community tragedy, and utilising social media in a crisis. Download your copy for free. |
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Great Gospel Giveaway webinar |
Join
Hope Together for its Great Gospel Giveaway Webinar 2026: Reaching and
Responding to an Open Generation on 2 March, from 2–3pm. The webinar
will explore what's being seen across the UK and share practical ways
you and your area can be part of the Great Gospel Giveaway in 2026. Register here. |
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A Church with People at the Margins |
Explore
how our churches can become places where people at the margins are
truly welcomed. Join the URC’s Faith in Action Team on 11 May from
7-8.30pm for the second webinar in the A Church with People at the
Margins series exploring practical ways to build inclusive, connected
communities. Learn more and pre-register. |
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Children and young people initiative |
Register
for the free, online launch of the Investing Together initiative,
taking place on 21 March from 12-1pm. The initiative is a result of
a year consulting and co-creating with those who are passionate about
reaching children and young people for Jesus. For more details, email
Sarah Holmes at [email protected]. |
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Is God calling you to ministry? |
Thinking
about God’s call to: Stepwise, Worship Leading, Lay Preaching, Lay
Pioneering, Ministry with children and young people, the Ministry of
Word and Sacraments or Church Related Community Work? Then join the
Ministry Enquirers' webinar taking place on 11 April from
9:30am-12:30pm. For joining details, please email [email protected]. |
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URC Trust Director (three separate roles) The
URC is seeking immediate nominations and applications for three
directors of the URC Trust to bring specialist knowledge in the safeguarding, investments and HR. Closing date for applications 31 March. |
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Convenor of the URC Trust Nominations
and applications are being sought for a Convenor (Chair) of the URC
Trust, the charitable entity which holds the assets of the URC and is
responsible for the good governance. Closing date for 31 March |
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Business Committee Youth Representative The
URC is seeking a dedicated young person under the age of 26 to join the
Business Committee. If you want to help shape the future of the
denomination, increase your communications skills, expand your network,
and help represent the next generation of URC leaders. Learn how you can
get involved. |
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Safeguarding Committee – Convenor The
URC is seeking a Convenor of the Safeguarding Committee. You must be a
member of the URC. You will have a current or recent working knowledge
of safeguarding with children and/or adults at risk and have an
understanding of contextualised safeguarding withing the faith setting.
Find out more. |
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URC Youth Representative – Nominations Committee Are
you passionate about making sure young voices shape the future of the
URC? Want to help build a more diverse, exciting, and forward-looking
Church? This is your chance to step up, represent URC Youth nationally,
and influence who helps lead the denomination into its next chapter. |
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Job vacancies across the URC and beyond |
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If you no longer wish to receive News Update, please use the link below to unsubscribe. |
The United Reformed Church Church House, 86 Tavistock Place London, WC1H 9RT Tel: 020 7916 2020 Email: [email protected] |
The
United Reformed Church was created by church unions in 1972, 1981 and
2000, facilitated by Acts of Parliament passed in each of those years.
It has a number of associated bodies: The United Reformed Church Trust
(URC Trust) is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England
& Wales (Registered Number: 135934); it is also a registered charity
(Registration Number: 1133373). The United Reformed Church Ministers’
Pensions Trust Ltd is a limited company registered in England &
Wales (Registered Number: 2821011). The United Reformed Church Retired
Ministers’ Housing Society Ltd. is a registered Community Benefit
Society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit Societies Act
2014, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Number 15986R). The
Registered Office for all the aforementioned bodies is Church House, 86
Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RT. |
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