Bible Study

Today’s Bible study was led by the Revd Dr Peter Green, Dean of Chapel at Lincoln Bishop University. He looked at the story of Melchizedek in Genesis and Hebrews, where Abraham meets Melchizedek, the priest-king of what will be Jerusalem, and is given bread and wine.

Dr Green asked, Who are we, the ordinary people, in this story? His answer was: We are in the loins of Abraham, as his descendants by faith. And what are we to do? If we ordinary people have faith we will do extraordinarily good things. Faith is an action.

“In my tradition,” he said, “all baptised people are members of the common priesthood; we all stand between each other and God. We can bring each other into the presence of God –��or we can stand in their way.”

Session three

Paper A3 – Resource Centres of Learning – Education for Ministry Phase 1 (EM1) Review [presentations session]

Proposals were brought to Assembly about the future of the Resource Centres for Learning (RCLs, formerly known as “colleges”) in relation to Education for Ministry Phase 1 (EM1). EM1 refers to the training undertaken by those wishing to enter ordained ministry (of Word and Sacraments or as Church-Related Community Workers). Currently URC students train at one of three RCLs: Westminster College, Cambridge; Luther King Theological College, Manchester; Scottish United Reformed and Congregational College, based in Glasgow.

Assembly 2025 determined that the number of RCLs should be reduced by at least one. Subsequently, a review has been undertaken, leading to the proposals presented to this Assembly. At the heart of Resolution 2 were the proposals that:

• Luther King Theological College (LKTC) becomes the primary RCL for the United Reformed Church, and provider of EM1 training
• Scottish College becomes the complementary RCL for the United Reformed Church, and provider of EM1 training
• Westminster College to ceases as a partner for EM1training

The review addressed declining student numbers, over-capacity in training provision, and financial sustainability in EM1. The review panel agreed with the conclusion of General Assembly 2025 that it is unsustainable to maintain three institutions and that the Church must therefore “concentrate resources to ensure long-term viability; move to a model of sustained partnership with one primary and one secondary institution; and enable the partner institutions to flourish, not merely survive”.

The Revd John Bradbury, General Secretary, spoke on behalf of the Business Committee and the review panel.

He spoke about the importance of theological education in the Free Church and United Reformed traditions, including within the Sunday School tradition. He acknowledged the difficulty of the task in hand but pointed to the difference in numbers of candidates coming forward for training. He compared the figures for 2026 with those in 2006 (the last time the structure of RCLs was reviewed): 13 stipendiary candidates across the three RCLs in 2026 compared with 51 in 2006; and 42 non-stipendiary candidates in 2026 compared with 92 in 2006.

The option to purchase theological education from other providers had been rejected.

There is a desire for students engaged in EM1 to undertake their training with those who are training for other of forms of ministry – LKTC is already particularly well-placed to offer that type of integrated experience. And where LKTC is an example of integrated training derived from individual student pathways, the Scottish College delivers an integrated approach through its programmes, which are themselves rooted in other theological institutions within the Scottish university system. This, the panel observed, allows the Scottish College considerable flexibility.

Dr Bradbury spoke of the angst in making the decision to end the URC’s EM1 partnership with Westminster College, and the pain involved for all concerned.

Mr Alan Yates, the URC’s Treasurer, spoke to the financial analysis within the report. Financial sustainability was only one of ten criteria in the process, he said; nor was a forensic financial investigation undertaken. Financial modelling was based on estimates made through until 2032, by which time LKTC will have undertaken a multi-million refurbishment programme, and the review’s proposals will have been fully implemented.

Mr Yates noted that the average of eight new students estimated per year, assumed in the report and used for the purposes of planning over the coming years, is higher than statistically-generated numbers, and higher than in 2027.

He confirmed that the URC cannot afford to support three RCLs from the Mission and Ministry budget, which is in any case under pressure. With two RCLs, there is a chance of providing the support needed. However, he warned that if student numbers continue on the current downward trajectory, this may not be the last time the URC will need to re-visit its partnership with the RCLs.

Finally, Mr Yates addressed Westminster College’s disagreements with the panel’s financial conclusions. He noted that there was a view that, though Westminster’s financial status might be similar to LKTC’s in 2032, LKTC has considerably more reserves.

The Revd Dr Peter McEnhill, Principal of Westminster College, addressed Assembly on behalf of its governors. He said Westminster’s concerns with report’s conclusions fell into two parts. He said he didn’t believe that where courses are located at present is a good way of assessing what can be provided in the future. He also spoke about the deep and rich collaborations with other ecumenical institutions in Cambridge that are at least comparable with those in place at LKTC. He said that the panel’s conclusions regarding Westminster’s annual £300,000 debt for capital expenditure and the view about grants being obtained in the future were unduly pessimistic. He said that “switching off” EM1 would have complex consequences, including unravelling the relationship with the URC, which he said “owns” the college. Additionally, he asked how the college’s charitable commitments would be sustained in the future. The URC has a commitment of stewardship towards Westminster College, he argued.

The Revd Dr Adam Scott, URC Principle at LKTC, expressed gratitude for the openness of the panel’s approach, acknowledging difficult issues had to be addressed. He said LKTC (formerly Northern College) was in a very different place from a few years ago. He welcomed the confidence expressed in LKTC and Scottish College, which allows for existing collaboration to be extended; but he expressed concern for colleagues at Westminster.

The Revd Dr John McNeil Scott spoke on behalf of the Scottish College. He said collaboration with other RCLs over the period he has been Principal has been transformed (and the contribution of Westminster to it has been substantial and generous). There are structural outcomes that he would have preferred – but he acknowledged that some serious crunch in finance and student numbers was inevitable. He questioned the designation “complementary RCL”, which he said both allays concerns but raises others for the future. But he said the college is confident in what it delivers and in the partnership with the URC first established in 2000; and he committed the college to working positively with LKTC and the Ministries Committee.

Responding to the principals, Dr Bradbury felt the ecumenical balance at Westminster is more weighted towards the Church of England; he said that at LKTC the balance is more evenly distributed between denominations. He said that a lot would require to be developed at Westminster if it were to continue delivery EM1; for example, weekend pathways that serve lay preachers and other forms of ministry. He addressed complex issues of charity purposes and acknowledged these would need unravelling.

Assembly broke at this point and will return for questions and debate on this report on Sunday.

Session four

Community Project Awards 2026

Four local church initiatives were named as winners of the 2026 Community Project Awards, sponsored by the insurance company Congregational, receiving prizes of £2,000 each:

• Children’s and Youth Project at Stag Community Church, Rotherham, a longstanding young people’s work that has become a renewed focus for the church;
• Time 4 Everyone at The Mead Centre at Newport Pagnell URC, Buckinghamshire, a safe space for coffee, craft and food, welcoming people on the margins;
• Songs and Stories from St Andrews URC in Monkseaton, Tyneside, a parents and children’s group providing coffee and cake, and activities based on Bible stories;
• Pop-In project at Broadstone URC, Dorset, a monthly group offering children’s activities and worship.

Additionally, two projects were highly commended, receiving prizes of £1,000 each:

• Welcome Space at Old Meeting Place URC, in Bedworth, Warwickshire, a weekly event for people whose needs include loneliness or a warm place to chat;
• St Arbucks community café from Trinity Church in Market Lavington, Wiltshire, a high street café that serves the community and makes the church visible.��

Full reports on all six projects will be published in Reformed over the coming year.

Session five

Presentation of candidates for General Assembly Moderator for 2027-2028, and vote

The Revd Dr Susan Durber was the sole nominee for the role of Moderator of General Assembly, 2027-28. She was nominated by the URC’s South Western Synod.

Susan was invited to address General Assembly. She spoke about her life in Pembrokeshire, Wales (including her “rather good” Welsh cakes!), and about “the other part” of her life, which is defined by her life with the World Council of Churches (WCC). Her faith, as a result of her work and relationships in the WCC across many years, has deepened and broadened, she said.

Susan said she regards the URC as the “order” to which she belongs – her home within the world communion of Churches – but that she has a “desire and inclination to bring people together across all divides”. She would bring to the role of Moderator her “relentless ponderings about how things are in our Church and world”. She said that though it’s a tough time for the Church and the world, “we need not fear being honest about our griefs and losses. Only then may we be honest about what we can do in the world.” She concluded: “I have no need of another role, but if you ask me to do this, I will do it with all the joy and grace I can find. I am at your service, for the sake of Jesus Christ.”

(Photo credit: World Council of Churches)

In response to a question from the Moderator about how the Church might bring joy to a world that gives us so much cause for concern, Susan suggested that it can bring joy because our confidence is in God. She recalled Lesslie Newbigin being asked whether he was an optimist or a pessimist, and replying: “I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Susan herself had recently talked to a group of students at her daughter’s school and one lad had said at the end: “I never realised before that being religious could make you happy.” Susan said she was glad to have conveyed some of that joy – which, she added, can be transformative. “Joy is something that erupts unbidden,” she said, “but it can also be chosen.”

Susan has served pastorates in Manchester, Salford, Oxford, Cumnor and Taunton.�� She was Principal of Westminster College, Cambridge, and played a leadership role within the Cambridge Theological Federation (2007–2013). She served as Theological Advisor at Christian Aid, engaging deeply with issues of global justice, poverty, the environment and development. From 1993 onwards, Susan has played an active part in the World Council of Churches, becoming Moderator of the Faith and Order Commission in 2014; and in 2022, she was elected WCC President from Europe. She is known as a writer and liturgist, including for many publications within the URC.

Following a vote, the Revd Dr Susan Durber was elected as Moderator for 2027-28.

Paper C2 – Sustainability of Stipendiary Ministry in the United Reformed Church

Presented by Mary Thomas, Convenor of Ministries Committee, Paper C2 warns that the sustainability of stipendiary ministry is now at a critical theological and strategic issue. Mary asked the Church to begin a conversation, and posed the question: What does a faithful pattern of ministry in the years ahead look like?

Mary explained that, at heart, the question was a theological question and not one focused on the number of ministers the denomination has. The convenor explained that there are currently around 241 deployable Ministers of Word and Sacraments serving around 1,200 churches, and that these churches are increasingly carried by ministers with multiple pastorates, retired ministers, lay people, and by those going over and above what is sustainable in the long-term.

The paper asks, added Mary, whether ministry needed to be thought about differently, not because stipendiary ministry was less important but because it is so central to the life of the Church, and whether its ecology could be brought together with others – such as CRCWs, Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers, Lay Pioneers, Elders for example – together forming one interconnected pattern of vocation, formation and service.

Assembly was asked to wrestle with three questions:

1. What are we actually trying to sustain? Are we simply trying to preserve numbers, or are we seeking to sustain a faithful pattern of ministry?
2. What level of stipendiary ministry is the Church willing and able to sustain over the coming decade?
3. What would a faithful and sustainable ecology of ministry look like by 2035, and what do we need to begin doing now to move towards it?

Assembly then discussed the three questions and fed back to the convenor.

During the discussion phase, Assembly members welcomed the report and reflected on the future of ministry, leadership and vocation across the United Reformed Church.

The Revd Anne Sardeson, Eastern Synod, said the paper encouraged honest conversations and offered hope to churches that may feel weary or uncertain about the future. The Revd George Watt, Moderator of Thames North Synod, urged the Church to think “outside the box”, suggesting that traditional approaches to ministry may be limiting opportunities for new forms of leadership. The Revd Helen Everard, Wessex Synod, called for greater recognition of the role of elders and lay leadership, while the Revd Dr Michael Hopkins, Moderator of Wessex Synod, encouraged the Church to renew its focus on encouraging vocations and to consider a broader understanding of local church leadership, rather than assuming every congregation requires the same model of ministry.

Responding to the discussion, the Revd Nicola Furley-Smith, Deputy General Secretary (Ministries) said responsibility for nurturing vocation belongs to the whole Church, not solely those overseeing ministries, and indicated that further work on vocation and calling is already underway. The Revd Jenny Mills, Deputy General Secretary (Faith in Action) highlighted existing resources, including conversation starters on vocation, which are available through the , alongside new training modules and work to develop elders’ training.

Referring to the 50th anniversary of her ordination, the Revd Dr Elizabeth Welch, former General Assembly Moderator 2001-02, questioned whether the Church places enough emphasis on what the URC stands for today, and what the denomination offers, either in contrast to or alongside other Christian traditions. Elizabeth asked how the Church can dig enough into that vision to encourage the Church to grow to inspire new generations, or is it coming to an end? Louise Sanders, Northern Synod, encouraged a more holistic approach to discernment for ministry, arguing that academic qualifications alone should not determine someone’s calling.

Drawing on the experience of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Janet McConill, Deputy General Secretary and CWM Mission Secretary, described how her denomination is exploring team ministry as a response to similar challenges around sustainability. She suggested that ministers of the future would need greater skills in leading and developing teams of ordained and lay people, requiring changes to theological education and congregational understanding of shared ministry.

Following further comments, Mary acknowledged that the Church is already grappling with many of these issues, including how ministers are prepared for increasingly collaborative forms of leadership. While recognising the challenges ahead, she expressed confidence that the URC has a distinctive contribution to make and reaffirmed the denomination’s commitment to equipping those called to ministry through appropriate training and support.

Paper C3 – A Three-Year Review and Strategic Framework for Ministry [2026-2029]

General Assembly instigated a review of learning and formation across all accredited ministries in the United Reformed Church, to bring proposals to the 2029 Assembly.

Bringing this resolution to General Assembly, the Ministries Committee argued that ministerial formation should be understood as a single interconnected ecology rather than a series of separate pathways. Different roles in Church life are part of one shared system of discernment and learning.

The committee is inviting the Church to consider the theological purpose of accredited ministry, the nature of different ministries within a shared ecology, standards required for trusted ministry and pathways for lifelong learning.

Introducing the resolution to Assembly, Mary Thomas, Convenor of the Ministries Committee said that it was an opportunity to consider carefully, prayerfully and strategically how Church supports those in whom it discerns a call.

Points that arose during debate included the need to listen to the world Church on this subject as well as ecumenical partners, and the need to consider what it means to minister specifically in a Reformed Church.

The resolution was carried.

Paper D1 – Resources Committee

The General Assembly noted the Annual Report and audited accounts for 2025. These can be read on the General Assembly papers page on the URC website.

Paper D2 – Investment Committee becoming a Sub-committee of Resources Committee

The General Assembly passed three resolutions that were a “simple piece of governance housekeeping with the demise of the Pensions Trust following the [pensions] buyout,” explained Michael Hopkins, Convenor of the Resources Committee.

The paper proposed a significant change to how the URC oversees its investments by replacing the current Investment Committee with a new, smaller, governance structure that separates strategic oversight from day-to-day investment management.

The resolutions:

• replaced the existing Investment Committee with a more focused committee responsible for investment governance rather than detailed portfolio management;
• clarified the committee’s role so that it concentrates on setting investment strategy, overseeing and reviewing the work of the Church’s professional investment managers, monitoring investment performance, ensuring investments align with the URC’s ethical investment policies and overall objectives;
• delegated routine investment decisions to the professional fund managers, allowing the committee to focus on long-term stewardship and accountability rather than individual investment choices;
• strengthened reporting and accountability to the Resources Committee and Assembly Executive, providing clearer oversight of investment performance and risk;
• retained ethical oversight, ensuring the Church continues to invest in ways consistent with its values while making use of professional expertise.

The report said that the changes reflect modern charity governance, where trustees set strategy and monitor performance while specialist investment managers make day-to-day investment decisions. This should make the Church’s investment governance more efficient, transparent and resilient.

Paper P3 – The URC’s treatment of ministers arrested for theologically motivated peaceful civil disobedience

Thames North Synod brought a resolution to General Assembly asking for an urgent review of disciplinary procedures in cases of theologically motivated peaceful civil disobedience.�� The proposed resolution said that that such action by ministers is in line with the dissenting tradition of the URC but noted that, as things stand, disciplinary action could be taken against ministers who are arrested for following their conscience in peaceful protests against unfair legislation.

The resolution was ruled out of order by the Moderator as contravening the Basis of Union, which says it is up to the Church to determine when the rights of personal conviction are asserted to the injury of unity and peace.

The Revd Dr John Bradbury, as Convenor of the Complaints and Discipline Advisory Group, explained to Assembly that there was no disagreement about the place of dissent and peaceful protest in our tradition, but it is for the Church to test this. We must require ministers to report any arrest to the Church, and a disciplinary panel�� must then make evidence-based decisions. Any circumvention of this process could cause serious problems. No disciplinary sanction is automatically imposed by the Church, even in case of conviction and imprisonment, and a minister would��not necessarily get a disciplinary record.

Dr Bradbury noted that Christian ministers in Minnesota had been arrested resisting ICE. We are not in the same political condition as the USA, he said, but it could come to that. With that in mind, he assured Assembly that these matters are live and under consideration.

Session six

B7 – Legacies of Slavery: Affirming the Will and Finding the Way(s) (cont’d)

Following on from yesterday’s presentations and discussions, Sarah Lane Cawte, Convenor of the Faith in Action Committee, introduced the resolutions in Paper B7, which proposed the next stage of the URC’s commitment to reparative justice, as offered by the Legacies of Slavery Task Group.

She said the resolutions build on previous General Assembly decisions by moving from acknowledgement and apology to practical action, setting out a framework centred on anti-racism, support for communities affected by the legacies of slavery, and long-term partnerships. The paper also establishes funding priorities, governance and accountability arrangements to ensure the work is effective and sustainable. Sarah encouraged members to read previous Assembly papers to understand the journey so far and welcomed the thoughtful engagement and questions raised during yesterday’s discussions. She said the resolutions would help turn the URC’s commitment to reparative justice into “meaningful action and responsible stewardship”.

Karen Campbell, Head of Global and Intercultural and Church, shared a poem called “Black”.

Sarah explained that Resolution 12 proposes that General Assembly adopts the three strand programme – Global, Regional and Local – outlined in the programme. She reminded members that the paper was not introducing new initiatives but was about the continuation of the commitments it had already made in 2022, which began with the confession and apology, and the subsequent decisions made in 2023 and 2024. The convenor explained that the paper, as a whole, builds upon the URC’s commitments and moves the denomination from apology to action. It also builds on partnerships and expertise that has already developed.

During the discussion phase, Alan Yates, URC Treasurer, voiced his strong support for the Church’s reparative justice work, recalling that he had been involved since its early stages during his time as Moderator of General Assembly in 2017. He welcomed the proposal to establish three new villages in Jamaica but asked whether the project could begin before the full estimated £5 million cost of a village had been secured. Responding, Karen Campbell confirmed that construction could start once sufficient funding was in place to begin meaningful work, with further fundraising continuing alongside the project. She also said discussions were already taking place with other denominations about supporting the initiative, expressing hope that the URC’s commitment would encourage wider ecumenical involvement. Resolution 12 was carried.

Moving to Resolution 13, Sarah proposed that the funding model would allocate up to 30% of the reparative justice fund to UK work and at least 60% to global initiatives, including the Free Villages project in Jamaica. She said the model balances investment between local and international priorities while providing a clear and flexible framework for delivering the Church’s reparative justice commitments. Resolution 13 carried.

With regard to Resolution 14, Sarah said the proposal recognises that reparative justice is built through long-term relationships rather than one-off funding. She said the Task Group has already established trusted partnerships in Jamaica and the UK, and that the resolution would provide the flexibility needed to develop those relationships and respond to future opportunities. Resolution 14 was carried.

The wording of Resolution 15 was amended to say: “General Assembly delegates the authority to determine a specific funding allocation for each project to the Faith in Action and Business committees, to be advised by the Legacies of Slavery Task Group, bringing dates to General Assemblies via the usual reporting processes”. ��This too was carried; as was Resolution 16, which requires the Task Group to work with senior leadership, legal advisors and other relevant bodies to ensure appropriate governance, safeguarding and financial oversight. The Task Group then received a round of applause.

K1 – Gendered language in the Basis of Union

The Basis of Union and its schedules are foundational documents for the United Reformed Church, setting out the Church’s understanding of its own identity, mission and purpose.

In Resolution 46, URC Youth Assembly asked that the gendered language in the Basis of Union and its schedules, reflective of the times at which the document was written, be reviewed, with the aim of exploring potentially more inclusive language. It has been noted that some of the language used in the Basis of Union documents is heavily gendered.

The Youth Moderator, Kacie Hodgson, said the language as it stands doesn’t reflect the URC’s commitment to the ministry and roles of women in the denomination; nor does it acknowledge the existence of ministers who identify as non-binary and gender nonconforming, who are already working in the URC. At the same time, Kacie stressed the importance of respecting the broad range of theologies held across the denomination, and said that no changes to doctrine or structure were being suggested.

She said URC Youth Assembly feels that it is important to recognise that there is room for improvement; and that if in fact no such appropriate language exists at the moment, “then at least we have taken the first steps and begun a discussion”.

One youth member of the Assembly asked whether a timescale could be attached to the resolution. The General Secretary said that requiring a report to come to Assembly 2028 would be achievable.

One Assembly member commended Youth Assembly for bringing the resolution. She said language matters, but that it’s also evolving and expansive. In response, Kacie agreed, saying the Basis of Union is a living document – “it’s never meant to be set in stone”.

The resolution was carried by a majority.

K2 – Place of URC Youth

The General Assembly instructed the Business Committee to establish a task group to explore the identity, purpose and future development of URC Youth. It instructed the task group to report to Youth Assembly in 2027 and to bring final recommendations to Youth Assembly 2028, which, if adopted, would form the basis of recommendations to be brought to General Assembly in two years’ time.

Following the Church’s structural review and recent governance changes, URC Youth Moderator Kacie Hodgson said that the Church must reconsider the identity, purpose and role of URC Youth in light of changing patterns of church life and the experiences of young people today.

The paper identified several key challenges:

• inconsistency across the denomination in the opportunities and support available to young people;
• national youth structures feeling distant and inaccessible to local churches;
• too much focus on events rather than sustained relationships, discipleship and ongoing engagement;
• young people’s increasing geographical mobility making traditional models of church membership more difficult;
• young people wanting their voices to be integrated into the wider decision-making of the General Assembly, rather than separate structures.

The work will be closely coordinated with the Children and Youth Development Officers.

The proposed 12-person task group would consist of young people with lived experience, alongside representatives with governance and institutional knowledge. Members would be appointed through the Nominations Committee.

The proposed timetable includes scoping and planning by the end of the year, research and consultation across the denomination, particularly with young people, in 2027, and presentation of recommendations to General Assembly for approval and implementation in 2028.

Kacie concluded by saying that the proposals were not about managing decline or making minor organisational adjustments, but about discerning God’s calling for youth ministry in the URC and creating a clear, sustainable vision for the future.

Billy Logan, East Midlands Synod, explained he was not a member of the URC by choice because the current membership model doesn’t work for him and for others. He commended the paper. Reuben Watt, West Midlands, is a member of a local URC but feels more at home at Youth Assembly and Greenbelt. The transition from URC Youth to the wider URC should be looked at to stop people losing their connection to the URC.

Nicola Furley-Smith asked if Ministries could be part of the task group (which Kacie explained was an omission in the writing of the paper).

Tom Osborne, Methodist representative, shared the impact of 3Generate, which meets at the National Exhibition Centre for a weekend in October with 1,800 young people and helpers. He encouraged discussions with ecumenical partners.

It was also noted that while more than 25,000 under-26s are associated with the life of the URC, only a small proportion engage with Youth Assembly, suggesting there is significant untapped potential.

Resolutions 47, 48 and 49 were carried.

K3 – Involvement with the Welcome Directory

Presented by Maya Withal, a member of URC Youth and based within the National Synod of Scotland, Paper K3 encourages local churches to engage with the Welcome Directory, a charity active in every prison across England and Wales, which lists faith and belief communities willing and able to welcome and support people leaving prison.

Maya, a former URC Youth Moderator, supported by Jay Tynan of North Western Synod, explained that the heart of the paper is to raise awareness of Welcome Churches’ work. Maya explained that the paper did not seek to mandate that churches get involved with the charity, but encourages those who feel equipped, resourced and called to do so.

Maya further explained that joining the directory would not bypass the URC’s safeguarding policies and procedures but work with them, and also that the charity provided free training on welcoming prison leavers.

Following a short debate around safeguarding in practice in local churches, on who determines the risk of prison leavers (the prison or probation service), who makes the decision on whether to join the directory (Elders/local church meeting), a change to the amendment to read:

• General Assembly encourages local churches to work with the Welcome Directory, to help prison leavers with joining faith communities, in line with guidance in the URC’s safeguarding Good Practice document, and after agreement from the Synod Safeguarding Officer and Synod Pastoral Committee or equivalent.

Maya further explained that the charity provides a range of support and free resources. Resolution 50 and 51 then carried.

P2 – Keeping Trans people safe (Wessex Synod)

General Assembly passed resolutions inviting those local churches who want to do so to offer clear voluntary affirmation of the dignity of transgender people and signposting of their commitment to their pastoral care.

The 2023 Assembly agreed a statement along these lines and churches who support it are invited to publicly affirm it. St Columba’s URC, Oxford, has started to do this on their church website. Churches making similar affirmations can indicate their support as part of the Annual Return for publication on the URC’s online “Find a church” tool.

Wessex Synod said it did not seek to reopen the debate behind the 2023 General Assembly statement on transgender, or to persuade any local church to adopt a particular view. Rather it invites those churches which wish to do so to make clear their support for the 2023 statement.

Chrissie Chevasutt, Outreach and Development Worker with the Transgender, Intersex and Non-binary Community at St Columba’s, seconded the resolution, saying that transparency is vital to the safety of trans people, who need to know where they will be welcome.

A number of members of Assembly spoke warmly in favour of the proposal. Jo Clare-Young, Convenor of the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Sub-Committee, said that though she supported the aims, she questioned the mechanism, in which churches self-identify on their websites and on “Find a church”. Church websites are often out of date, she said, and are churches as welcoming as they think they are?

The resolutions were passed.

Paper Q1 – Response to the impact of single-sex court rulings on transgender people and their communities

The General Assembly recognised the challenges and decisions faced by organisations as they have responded to recent rulings and definitions regarding the protected characteristic of sex.

It also expressed deep pastoral concern for those affected by the decisions regarding trans people made by Girlguiding and similar organisations in response to the Supreme Court ruling regarding the characteristic of sex.

Kacie Hodgson, URC Youth Moderator, introduced a private members resolution, endorsed by the URC Youth Executive, and said that the URC has a longstanding tradition of speaking out on social justice and supporting vulnerable and marginalised people, and that this resolution continues that tradition.

In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, “sex” refers to biological sex.

This has resulted in organisations such as the National Federation of Women’s Institute and Girlguiding amending their membership policies to align with the court decision.

These organisations should not be blamed, Kacie emphasised, as they were responding to legislative complexities rather than acting out of prejudice. But the pastoral consequences means that transgender young people may lose access to groups where they previously felt accepted; friends, families and wider communities are also affected when children are excluded from established social networks; and the resulting feelings of grief, rejection and isolation could extend beyond the individuals directly affected.

The Assembly was reminded about its 2023 commitment affirming the dignity of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people, and said that those earlier commitments should now be put into practice.

The resolutions do not seek to challenge the law or criticise organisations that have changed their policies, Kacie continued. Instead, it calls on the URC to stand in solidarity with transgender people affected by these changes; encourage churches that feel able to do so to provide welcoming and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ people; continue to support those offering pastoral care to transgender young people and their families; to ensure that, where other organisations have had to close their doors because of legal constraints, churches remain places of welcome and compassion.

They also called for the Church to review its policies and guidance in light of changes, provide practical advice to congregations, and work ecumenically and with partners to advocate for the wellbeing, safety and human rights of transgender people while ensuring compliance with the law as it evolves.

Charlotte Samson said that trans suicide rates are skyrocketing and challenged the URC about what it could and should be doing, to make all feel supported and safe like Jesus taught us to do. Claire Nutt shared concerns about the churches with connections to Girlguiding.

Following the Supreme court decision, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has prepared updated draft guidance which is currently before parliament for approval. This clarifies that organisations wishing to remain single-sex can lawfully do so based on biological sex regardless of gender identity or a Gender Recognition Certificate.

The resolution was passed.

[Note: After the time of writing, on 9 July the EHRC guidance referred to, namely “The Services, Public Functions, and Associations Code of Practice”, became statutory, following the normal 40-day scrutiny period.]

The post General Assembly 2026: day two round-up, 4 July appeared first on United Reformed Church.

The post Your package has arrived – a Christmas reflection appeared first on United Reformed Church.

The CPCE is a global communion of protestant churches, with 96 Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed and United Churches from more than 30 countries in Europe and South America, representing around 50 million Protestants.

The Revd Dr John P Bradbury, General Secretary of the URC, and a former President of CPCE, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate Dr Schenk in her appointment as General Secretary of the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe.

“The Communion is an important expression of our membership of the Church Catholic, and brings us into fellowship with siblings in Christ across our continent.

“91��Ƭ�� has worked within the Communion in many ways, including until last year my term as one of the Presidents. It is therefore a particular pleasure for me to welcome this appointment.

“We will uphold Dr Schenk as she prepares to take on this key role within the CPCE, and look forward to our joint working in the years to come.”

Dr Schenk, 53, currently serves as a theological advisor to Bishop Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl and as an ecumenical officer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg.

She will take up her new post on 1 March 2026, succeeding Dr Mario Fischer who will take up the post of Director and Officer for Catholic Issues at the Institute for Confessional Studies in Bensheim, Germany.

Reflecting on her new role, Dr Schenk said: “I am delighted to have been elected General Secretary, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the members of the Council and the Presidium.

“I value the CPCE as a church communion that is rooted in the shared experience of reconciliation in word and sacrament. It draws from this both its mission and the courage to open up perspectives for reconciliation, both within the communion when dealing with differences and issues of dissent, and in contributing to social coexistence in Europe.

“I look forward to working with the team, the Presidium and the Council to further develop the CPCE as a network of understanding and reconciliation across Europe, and to strengthen its profile within the member churches and congregations.”

Rita Famos, Executive President of the CPCE, said: “The role of General Secretary of the CPCE has become more complex over the past seven years.

“I am therefore very pleased and grateful that we have been able to recruit Susanne, a seasoned church historian and ecumenist with many years of experience and a long-standing association with the CPCE, whom we trust to perform this task. We look forward to working and supporting her.”

The post URC congratulates the new General Secretary of the CPCE appeared first on United Reformed Church.

The URC offers these prayers to help congregations navigate issues around Assisted Dying as they are discussed by legislators across these islands:

• The Isle of Man allows Assisted Dying, Jersey is in the latter stages of legal preparation for this;
• the Scottish Parliament is working on detailed legislation with a bill passing Stage 1;
• The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, passed by the House of Commons, is now subject to further scrutiny through various stages in the House of Lords. MPs will then get a final say when they have looked at any proposed changes. This is the point at which the bill will officially become law, unless it runs out of Parliamentary time or those in the House of Lords who oppose the Bill find a way to block it.

91��Ƭ��’s General Assembly last discussed the matter in 2007, ��resolving:

General Assembly affirms the report Assisted Dying, as encapsulated in the following statements:

1. As Christians, we regard all human life as being God given, and therefore precious; we believe that death is not the end and we have faith that there is a more perfect life to follow.
2. We recognise that there is a time to die and that there are circumstances in which it will be wrong to continue to provide treatment designed to prolong life.
3. We recognise that some palliative treatment for the terminally ill, makes the patient more comfortable and pain free, but can also hasten death. We believe this to be acceptable, as long as the intention of the treatment is pain relief and comfort of the patient
4. We could not support legislation that would empower medical staff to intervene in ways which deliberately seek to assist a patient to die. We would therefore oppose any change in the law to permit voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide
5. We believe that a Living Will or Advance Directive which has been prepared by a patient of sound mind, can be helpful for carers and relatives; however, we do not believe such a document should be used to facilitate a person’s death
6. We believe that additional resources are needed to provide more uniformly available and more high quality palliative care
7. We recognise the valuable contribution made by carers. We express our prayerful support for those who work in, and promote, hospices and others who care, befriend, and provide support for the dying.

I’m Confused Lord

I’m confused Lord and don’t know what to say;
I grew up believing in the sanctity of life,
that You command us not to kill, and that life is always worth living…

…but if I was in pain with little hope of respite,
or one I loved was living in unimaginable agony,
I’d want that pain to stop.

I’m confused Lord and don’t know what to say,
all these difficult choices but they can’t properly fund hospice care,
there’s always money for bombs though…

…but surely good end-of-life care is a prerequisite of a decent society?
We live our lives as if there’s nothing else to come,
clinging to it, forgetting it’s possible to have a good death.

I’m confused Lord and don’t know what to say,
I’d not want to be a burden when my time comes,
I’d not want to cling on seeking every medical intervention when it was time to go…

…but I’d not want to be despatched more quickly so the will can be read!
I’d not want to be pressurised to die to save the State money,
nor be seen as dispensable.

I’m confused Lord and don’t know what to say,
disabled friends are frightened – fearing their lives will be seen as less worthwhile,
doctors and nurses are trained to save life not to kill …

…but saying “thou shalt not kill” seems judgy,
to urge for better palliative care seems unrealistic,
and to oppose social trends seems hard.

So, help me Lord, in my confusion,
and give me ears to hear and the words to say.
Amen.

A Fuller Life Awaits

Eternal One,
we pray for our legislators,
faced with complex lives, situations, and finances,
and trying to discern right from wrong,
in the face of high-powered campaigns.

Suffering Lord,
You walk with us in our pain, bewilderment, and grief,
give grace to those who approach the end of life,
wisdom to clinical staff who care for them,
and time for loving farewells.

Renewing Spirit,
remind us that death is not the end,
that a new, fuller, life awaits us,
where there will be no more death, sorrow,
mourning or crying.��Amen

Perfect Love

Gracious God,
help us to hold Your truth gracefully,
proclaim Your love with humility,
and serve Your people faithfully.

Dying God,
drive out our fear of death with Your perfect love;
banish our meanness with a generosity
which funds proper care for the dying, the ill, and the disabled.

Energising God,
transform our ideologies,
that we face both life and death,
in the safety of Your love
and the promise of resurrection.
Amen

For more on the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (Assisted Dying) Bill through the Houses of Parliament see here.

Image: Alexander Grey/Unsplash.

The post URC offers prayers around Terminally Ill Adults Bill appeared first on United Reformed Church.

On behalf of friends of the United Reformed Church in the Pfalz, Pfarrer Martin Henninger, Minister of the Lutherkirche in Frankenthal, has sent greetings to the whole of the denomination, saying:

“As Richard von Weizsäcker, the former President of Germany forty years ago said: ’The 8th of May was a day of liberation. It made us free from the inhuman system of the National Socialist terror system.’

“We are very much aware the British people among many others paid a high price for it not the least when a German rocket hit the Presbyterian Church House in March 1945 which is still remembered at Tavistock Place. But out of the ashes of this war came reconciliation, friendship and the Covenant of Pulpit and Table between our churches for which we are grateful. As the conference in 2019 has shown both churches remain committed to peace and reconciliation in a world which increasingly seems to be divided by national interests and even war as the conflict in the Ukraine is making obvious.

“So, as we commemorate the end of World War II causing millions of victims, let us continue to pray for repentance, forgiveness and peace with the words from the Litany of Reconciliation (Coventry):

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father, forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Father, forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father, forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Father, forgive.

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,
Father, forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father, forgive.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Image:

The post VE Day 80: Commemorating peace and unity appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Sign up to be a volunteer with the URC at Greenbelt festival 2026

We are looking for volunteers to be a part of the URC team at Greenbelt festival, Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 August 2026, at Boughton House, near Kettering.

Being part of the URC team is fun, with plenty of free time to enjoy the fun activities offered by Greenbelt. Don’t worry if you have never been before, as you will be part of a supportive group of people.

Volunteer Application Form

If you are interested in volunteering in the URC venue at Greenbelt festival this year, please complete the form below.

Due to the increasing demand for volunteer places, we will give priority to applicants who have either not volunteered with the URC before or have volunteered with our team just once. Please do not let that deter you from applying if you have volunteered with the URC team for two years or more however, as we still require a team with a broad range of skills and experience.

The closing date for applications is 20 April 2026.

The post Volunteer registration appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Dr Robert Pope led the gathering in its third Bible study, exploring Deuteronomy 30:11-20. The exiles, and all of us, are challenged to “choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Robert asked the animators to reflect on what it is about their faith gives them life.

In the penultimate session of the conference, Dr Nigel Pimlott set attendees off with Play-Doh and pipe cleaners, asking them to make something that would most help the URC’s new communities of worship and discipleship flourish.

One innovative contribution featured a pipe cleaner text box and heart, with a golden thread connecting the two, reflecting the need for love, relationships, and communication in the URC’s communities of worship and discipleship.

The final session challenged the animators to think about what three words they would use to summarise themes from the consultation. Nigel then fed back on outcomes and themes he had heard from all the conversations over the course of the consultation, which the animators further refined.

In support of new worship and discipleship communities, the outcomes and themes were:

Outcomes

• Be more intentional about everything
• Develop and deepen relationships
• Increase evangelism
• Animate local change; with central support
• Embed “both/and” thinking
• Lessen organisational burdens
• Take more risks

Themes

• Death and resurrection – midwiving, hospicing, rhythms of life
• Being responsible – who’s here, taking action, laying down and taking up
• Little consensus – value this and be a network movement
• Seek the kingdowm; as a church movement

These outcomes and themes represent the beginnings of a set of principles, which the planning group and Church Life Review Steering Group will distil and refine. The intention is that the principles will become the future basis for decision making about the URC’s new communities of worship and discipleship. Conversations from the consultation will continue to evolve both locally and as part of the Church Life Review.

The conference closed in worship, led by the event’s planning group.

The post Conversations at the Crossroads day three round-up: 16 January 2025 appeared first on United Reformed Church.

“Spaces of grace” is the theme underpinning worship throughout Assembly, and this was the starting point for prayer – that we might become a “community of grace”. This opening service found its focus in the theme of “forming community” and began with the words of Brian Wren’s hymn, “Great God, your love has called us here”.

The Statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the URC was��led by the Revd Lesley Thomson, ordained just six days previously, and the Revd Dr Stephen Orchard who recently marked 55 years of ordained ministry. This was followed by a reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-11.

We need grace in communal life, said the Revd Fiona Bennett, the Moderator of the ��General Assembly. It is through God’s grace we become able to laugh, cry, to wonder, and through that grace we also have hope for the world and God’s community of disciples. Fiona then drew on the imagery of multiple coloured fish created for the URC’s jubilee celebrations to suggest we are like those jubilee fish – swimming in an ocean of grace.

The Moderator reminded Assembly of the popular contemporary phrase “get over yourself” – something she admitted she’d said to herself many times over the past year. Alluding to Paul’s words in Philippians, she said we need to step over our ego and hubris to see and act on what is truly important. This, she said, is true humility: lifting our gaze beyond ourselves to the needs of others and the world. Paul was talking of unity born out of humility and this is the model we need to use in order to be people of the Gospel. Such humility is only possible in the ocean of grace where we can indeed “get over ourselves”.

Fiona concluded by inviting Assembly to look not only at our own interests but to the interests of others, within the URC and ecumenically, and to trust each other enough to share with each other our vulnerability and resources. In Assembly, she said, let us open our hearts, minds and hands to the ocean of God’s grace.

Following the decision of the 2022 Assembly to create the role of Chief Operating Officer, the Moderator welcomed and commissioned Victoria James to the position. Victoria started in the role earlier in the year and regards the work as her vocation. She was welcomed with applause.

The Revd Canon Helen Cameron, currently Moderator of the Free Churches Group and one of the presidents of Churches Together in England, brought ecumenical greetings, in particular from the conference of the Methodist Church, where she had just recently been elected President-designate.

Following a time of prayer, Assembly joined in a celebration of Holy Communion, concluding with the sharing of the peace in sign language and the singing of “Brother, sister, let me serve you”.

Session one

Paper Z1 – Synod Moderator’s Report

The first item of business at General Assembly 2023 was the report of the Synod Moderators of the United Reformed Church, presented to the meeting by the Moderators.

The report looks back on the URC’s 50^th anniversary in October 2022. The Church is not now what its founders envisaged in 1972, but, the report says, we are not called “to try and be what we are not”. Rather we are called to be comfortable in our own skin – to love ourselves as Christ’s Body, as the presentation put it – and to adapt to our changing circumstances, which can be liberating. “We already have all we need to be the people of God.”

The paper concludes with questions for local churches to discuss. Explore the questions in the Synod Moderator’s Report entitled Paper Z1 – Life after 50?

Speaking on behalf of the Moderators, the Revd David Herbert Moderator, of Northern Synod, said that being more comfortable in our own skin is not about complacency or resignation. It is about remembering how God works through unlikely lives in surprising ways, as the story of David and Goliath illustrates.

One example of this, they said, was the way that being slimmer than 50 years ago allowed the URC to respond to the pandemic in ways that were ‘lean, light, and fleet of foot’.

“We are in transition, not dying, but we need to be prepared to change as our mission context changes and as the Holy Spirit leads us into new ways of being.”

Paper X1 – East Midlands Resolution for Ukraine

Out of concern for the churches in Ukraine which, like the URC, are members in the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), the General Assembly sent greetings to the United Methodist Church in Ukraine, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine and the Transcarpathian Reformed Church, the Reformed Church of Ukraine.

Derek Graham and Luke Framji, members of St Andrews-with-Castlegate URC, Nottingham, proposed the resolution on behalf of the East Midlands Synod.

General Assembly further instructed the Mission and Finance Committees, in conjunction with Synods and ecumenical partners, to determine what help might appropriately be offered to the Transcarpathian Reformed Church as a result of the Russian invasion and the ongoing consequences of the war in Ukraine

The resolutions and exploratory work were accepted once clarification about how the committees would carry out this work, either under delegated powers or by further resolutions at the next General Assembly.

Paper X5 – South Western Synod: Bristol Korean Church

The Revd Douggie Burnett, Minister of Redland Park and the Bristol Korean Church (BKC) delightedly proposed Resolution 78, that General Assembly receives BKC as a local URC.

The Revd Yohan Song was then formally greeted by the Moderator of General Assembly who called the occasion “really exciting”.

“Every time a new member joins, the whole body changes as we have new limbs – or rather, new gifts. With these new limbs, we are a new body.”

Fiona then asked Yohan what prayers he would like as a “new limb within the URC body”? Yohan responded that he was truly grateful for the opportunity and that Bristol Korean Church regards itself as a seed planted in fertile soil, the URC. He asked for prayers that the Bristol Korean Church would be a proactive, fertile church, filled with hope and joy.

The Revd Lindsey Sanderson then led Assembly in prayers for the church, asking for God to fill the BKC with insight and purpose.

Day one concluded with evening prayer, including the commemoration of ministers, Church Related Community Workers, missionaries, clerks and moderators of General Assembly who have died and congregations which have closed since the last General Assembly.

Reporting team: Andy Jackson, Ann-Marie Nye, Stephen Tomkins, and Laurence Wareing. Pictures by Chris Andrews.

The post General Assembly day one round-up: 30 June 2023 appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Dr Warner looked at the question of land ownership in Leviticus. Giving the example of the flat that she is buying, she said that ownership would give her the crucial right to exclude others from living there. The book of Deuteronomy has the same concept of land ownership, using the Hebrew word nachlah.

In Leviticus, the word for possession is achuzzah which involves the right to live there only alongside others who God sees fit to bring there too. God owns the land, so people can’t. People can buy and sell land, but in the Jubilee year it returns to the original owners. This means the price of land goes up and down depending on the number of crop years till jubilee.

This is why 25:23 says: “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity for the land is mine; with me you are but aliens and strangers (gerim and toshabim).”

We use the word “alien” of people from elsewhere in order to not acknowledge their full humanity, said Dr Warner. How would it change our relationships if we saw land as belonging to God not us?

The passage offers two case studies on the buying and selling of people.

First, Israelites in poverty can sell themselves into bound labour, but not slavery. However, Israelites can own gerim as slaves. Dr Warner said: “I cannot excuse away what Leviticus says about slavery, especially knowing what we do about legacies of slavery. This text is extraordinarily difficult and I cannot fix it for you.”

Second, Israelites can sell selves to gerim, but only until the year of jubilee. Israelites cannot be sold in perpetuity because they belong to God. She related this to the way

Leviticus talks of the Exodus, bringing Israel out of Egyptian slavery because they’re God’s slaves.

Dr Warner pointed out that Deuteronomy says much more about caring for strangers than Leviticus, paradoxically because in Deuteronomy Gerim can’t own land, so charity becomes necessary. In Leviticus they can own land; the book has far fewer charity provisions because it legislates equality. “You shall have one law for the stranger and for the native.”

In Babylonian culture, she said, following the law made the temple holy so gods can live in it; in Leviticus it makes whole land holy so God can live among people. Law applies to all irrespective of ethnicity, and the whole point is to return us to the garden of Eden where God walks amongst us.

“How can these ideas from the first jubilee inform the URC’s jubilee?” Dr Warner concluded ‘And, if I’m going to be tricky, what will be the role of rest?”

Session seven

Paper I2: Environmental Policy

Sarah Lane Cawte, Mission Committee Convenor, invited Rob Weston, Convenor of the Environmental Task Group, and Simeon Mitchell, Secretary for Church and Society, to present the report.

Noting that 2022 is the fifth hottest year on record, Simeon said the climate crisis is an ever-present reality; including a “frightening loss of biodiversity”. The policy being put forward with effect from January 2023 instructs committees and bodies under the control of the Assembly to adopt as minimum the practices it sets out, but Simeon emphasised that the plan requires all of us to play our part.

The policy sets out an ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and puts in place the plans we need to achieve this. Caring for creation and pursuing a just and sustainable use of the world’s resources are Gospel commitments, Simeon said.

Rob outlined progress that has been made since an earlier environmental policy was agreed in 2016. One in five congregations have signed up to the Eco-Church or Eco-Congregation Scotland schemes, half of them so far receiving an award; and systematic programmes of building assessments are in place across many synods. But we need to go further, Rob said: “We have dillied and dallied for too long.” He said the 2020s are a critical decade: “There is something more important on the agenda than the future of the URC. . . if we destroy the planet, there is no need for a URC.”

Turning to the “how” of implementing the policy, Simeon pointed Assembly to the range of resources available to churches and individuals, including:

• Green apostles in every synod to assist you
• Eco-Church and Eco-Congregation Scotland websites
• Greening your Church section of the URC website
• Synod Property Officers

Turning to questions, one speaker noted that pastorates are getting larger and asked whether the committee had considered ministers’ travel and financial support for the purchase of electric cars. Another member asked if any financial support would be available for synods. Simeon responded by saying the Task Group has not worked through all the implications of the policy because it permeates every part of the Church and requires discussions at every level: having set the policy overall the Church will need to work through the practicalities.

How do we hear the voices of children? asked another member. One youth representative said that finding out who the green apostles are is tricky (Mr Weston said that the Task Group would look to improve this). Another member asked, in view of the number of large, hard-to-heat buildings, was this a policy that is going to close churches? It was also noted that the policy is not in conflict with the Assembly’s decisions on pensions.

Supporting the resolution, one synod moderator said: “It’s often said we should do this for our children. Tosh! We need to do it for those who are dying all around the world now.” If anything, a youth representative said, we should be achieving net zero before 2030.

The Convenor of the Education and Learning Committee was concerned “we’re setting ourselves up to fail”, arguing that the URC’s plans are not as well developed as those of some ecumenical partners. He urged for significant resources to be applied to developing plans. Another speaker wished a challenge had been laid down for churches to “leave their buildings and pitch their tents elsewhere”. He believed that in some cases the building itself had become the idol replacing God as the sole focus of worship.

Some members shared their own local experiences of making changes in response to the crisis. What gets measured gets done, was the advice of one speaker. Another, responding to concerns about the upkeep of sizeable Victorian buildings, said how encouraged her congregation had been to discover that getting their large, old building through the Eco award requirements was the easiest part because there is so much advice online, and so many tools for a congregation to use. Another speaker encouraged the Task Group to work in conjunction with the Church Life Review.

With the addition of an amendment that requires a representative of URC Children to be included on a new Net Zero Task Group, the resolution as a whole was agreed by consensus.

Session eight

Paper N1: Church Life Review

The Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, had planned to update General Assembly verbally on the work of the review task group, in addition to the written report received. The group was set up by the 2021 Assembly to undertake a major review of the work of the URC with a view to making it smaller and more sustainable.

In Dr Bradbury’s absence, the Revd Steve Faber, Moderator of West Midlands Synod gave a brief introduction to the report and fielded questions.

Mr Faber said that the group had embarked on considerable research. Most of the work undertaken is not yet ready for report but the group expect to bring substantive resolutions to General Assembly 2023.

He said: ‘This is not��change for the sake of change��time or inclination to rearrange deckchairs on the Titanic. We do not accept that ship is sinking, we do not accept inevitability of decline. There are stories of decline around the church but it is not too late to change.’

The written report outlines the following: research by Theos into flourishing churches; forensic accounting research into URC finances; matters of governance to be considered; helping churches with the burden of compliance; providing options for struggling churches.

Earlier in Assembly, members had discussed the future of the church in groups and given feedback. Mr Faber invited further feedback by email to churchlifereview@urc.org.uk

Paper I3: Mission, Korean Peace Appeal

In this session, Assembly was invited to “affirm its support for a lasting peace settlement to end the Korean War” and to instruct the General Secretary and Moderator to sign the Korea Peace Appeal on Assembly’s behalf.

The Appeal is a worldwide effort to secure 100 million signatures by June 2023, supporting a formal Peace Treaty between North and South Korea.

Members watched a video message from the Revd Dr Jong-Jung Lee, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea, who spoke about the Korean situation and also greeted the URC in the year of its jubilee.

Sarah Lane Cawte, Mission Committee Convenor, then invited the Revd David Grosch-Miller to introduce the motion. David is a member of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Forum on Korea.

Despite the cessation of fighting and signing of an armistice in June 1953, he said, a formal end has never been declared to the war on the Korean peninsula, and he described the people of Korea as “pawns in the geo-politics of South-East Asia”.

He argued that the armistice remains a “temporary fix” that continues to bring hardship and pain to those living either side of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, which lies between North and South Korea.

David said that, in effect, Korea is one country with two governments, both laying claim to the peninsula. In addition, pre-Covid, it was estimated that 11 million people were living in poverty in the North owing to the sever regime of international sanctions which – David believed – would not effect any changes in North Korean’s closed society.

The people of Korea have suffered long enough, he said; a peace treaty will normalise the relations between the two parts of the country.

David concluded that, by supporting the resolution, the URC would be taking a prophetic stance; presenting a challenge to the foreign policy of governments, including in the UK and, principally, the USA.

A number of members spoke in support of the resolution, including a representative who brought a message from the Bristol Korean Church, which described the situation in Korea as “a wound that never heals”.

The Assembly also heard from two Koreans who are members of Assembly. In thanking the Assembly for considering the resolution, the Revd Barnabas Shin recalled growing up in South Korea where he was taught that “North Korea was our enemy”. He said: “We are still at war, pointing the guns to each other. We are supposed to be enemies and hate each other.”

Maria Lee spoke about going to Berlin in 2019 to mark the 30^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. She was happy to be there to celebrate the union of a divided Germany. When the wall fell, she said, “their history became our nation’s hope”. In 2022, Korea is “living in the middle of a conflict”, Maria said, but she believed that prayer would lead to conversation.

The resolution was passed by consensus.

Session nine

Greetings from Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together England

Bishop Mike Royal, the newly appointed General Secretary of Churches Together in England (CTE), greeted General Assembly and provided a synopsis on his career and priorities in his new role.

He explained that his focus for CTE Is “raising up a new generation of ecumenical leaders”.

“I want to see young leaders coming through,” he said, “and I’m excited about some of the young leaders that are coming across different church traditions.”

Importantly, he’d like to create more spaces for new churches of the charistmatic, Pentecostal and traditional churches to emerge at national and local levels as well.

Working closely with Philip Brooks and Karen Campbell, Bishop Mike shared how he looks forward to working with the URC in the future years.

He and a CTE colleague were gifted with goody bags by the General Assembly Moderator.

Visual presentation of Jubilee Ministers, New Ministers and CRCWs

The Moderator, the Revd Clare Downing, introduced a video presentation of ministers celebrating notable anniversaries of their ordinations in 2020. Ministers presented are celebrating 50, 60, and 70 years as ministers of Word and Sacrament.

The Moderator then introduced two newly ordained ministers: the Revd Jonnie Hill and the Revd Adam Woodhouse.

The Moderator led the Assembly in prayer for those who have had long journeys in ministry and for those just starting out on that journey.

��En bloc resolutions

The following resolutions were passed en bloc. En bloc resolutions are voted on without debate, having been deemed uncontroversial. This has no reflection on their importance. The full reports and resolutions in each case can be read here:

G1 Finance: General report 2021 to 2022
An update on the recent work of Finance Committee

H2 Ministries: Maintenance of ministry (resolution 14)
Restructuring the membership of the committee.

H4 Ministries: Confidentiality policy (resolution 15)
Changes to the parts of the policy dealing with prayer support and online meetings.

I4��Mission: Vision 2020 (resolution 19)
Evaluates the success of Vision 2020 and launches the Mission Enabling Fund in place of its grants scheme.

J1 Nominations: Report (resolution 22; 23)
Appoints committees and representatives of the Church and extends the term of service of the Assistant Clerk.

M1 General Secretary: Ministerial Discipline and Incapacity (resolution 24)
Amendments to the Basis of Union regarding ministerial discipline.

M2 General Secretary: Safeguarding (resolution 25)
Amendments to the Basis of Union regarding safeguarding.

M3��General Secretary: Church changes (resolution 26)
Lists church closures.

P1 Law and Polity Advisory Group
Update on drawing up guidance on property matters.

R1��MIND: Professional investigation within the Discipline Process (resolution 29; 30)
Change to the URC’s disciplinary process to allow the appointment of a professional investigator when needed.

R2 MIND: Indemnity (resolution 31)
Change to the URC’s disciplinary process to indemnify those involved.

R3��MIND: Authority within the Discipline Process (resolution 32)
Change to the URC’s disciplinary process allowing an Executive Group to interpret unclear rules.

R5 MIND: Assisting an accused minister (resolution 40; 41)
Change to the URC’s disciplinary process providing assistance to an accused minister.

R7��MIND: Assembly Representative for Discipline (resolution 43; 44)
Appoints the General Secretary to serve as the Assembly Representative for Discipline.

R8��MIND: Transitional arrangements (resolution 45)
Attempt to smooth the transition from the URC’s old disciplinary process to the new.

T1 Safeguarding Advisory Group: Annual report 2021
An update on the recent work of Safeguarding Advisory Group.

Paper H3: Pastoral supervision update
The Convenor, the Revd Paul Whittle, wished to make a small change to a paper concerning Pastoral supervision for ministers. Steps are being taken to increase the number of accredited pastoral supervisors – including training URC ministers and lay people through an established scheme at Wesley House. The change brought to the Assembly read:

“It is expected that ministers and lay folk will not charge for pastoral supervision of URC ministers, and will pastorally supervise no less than three per month when fully qualified.” (Previously the number of supervisions required per month was six.)

In response to a question, the Convenor confirmed that the new requirement would mean that some supervisors would carry a caseload of six individuals, meeting each minister once every two months.

Resolution 53: Private members resolution – travel expense rates
In the light of conversations with individuals fearing they may be “priced out” of attending meetings on behalf of the Church owing to the rise in fuel costs, the Revd Anne Sardeson brought an emergency “private member’s” resolution for consideration:

“In the light of increasing fuel costs, General Assembly requests the Finance Committee to reconsider the current policy of paying only the lower HMRC rate for travel expenses at General Assembly level, and encourages, synods and other bodies also to reconsider this.”

Seconding the resolution, The Revd Alex Clare-Young emphasised that the request was only for the relevant bodies to look at the issue.

The resolution was passed by a clear majority.

Paper G2: One off payment to ministers and lay staff

General Assembly resolved that, bearing in mind the recent energy cost increases, and with probable further energy price rises coming, a payment be made in October of £800 to those on the URC Plan for Partnership and £500 for each Church House employee.

“You don’t often hear of the Finance Committee spending money,” URC Treasurer Ian Hardie stated, “but this seems like the right thing to do. This is a gesture, it won’t cover the costs, but it will help.”

John Denison, Treasurer of the URC Southern Synod, said that this payment was the URC trying to level things up.

Jo Harris, URC Youth Moderator, and Dan Morrell amended the resolution to urge Synods and local churches to do the same for their staff, and Andy Middleton, the URC Legal Adviser, helped the Assembly to clarify the wording of the resolution.

Some Non-Stipendiary Ministers expressed disappointment about not being included, and the finance committee explained that not receiving a stipend was the reason why they weren’t included.

After a procedural motion from Steve Faber, Moderator of the West Midlands Synod, the resolution was carried.

Paper I1: Reinvigorating the ecumenical vision of the United Reformed Church

Discussions around Paper I1, the decision of which was previously remaindered, continued from session six.

Philip responded to points made about resolution 16.

One query centred on LEPs sometimes being difficult challenges, and not always positive experiences. Philip answered that they’re not always positive but that similar issues that exists in other areas. The film was an encouraging story, meant to encourage others. The report does highlight some of the frustrations with LEPs, complex issues that can challenge the URCs identity, but felt that shouldn’t discourage work as an LEPs. The report also recognises that approaches to ecumenism differs in England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

He said: “In our anniversary year, how can we make the best use of our resources to further ecumenical commitments.”

“Ecumenism is who we are,” he said, “I ask you to trust the work that the Mission Committee will do so that we can come back next year to say this is what is possible.”

Although there was overwhelming support for the resolution, there was a concern about structural issues with LEPs.

Philip clarified that in the ongoing consultation work, positive and challenging experiences will be explored equally and not airbrushed over.

A toolkit for ecumenical work, mentioned in the report, can be found .

The resolution duly passed.

Reporting: Steve Tomkins, Andy Jackson, Laurence Waring, and Ann-Marie Nye. Pictures: Chris Andrews.

The post General Assembly day three round-up: 10 July 2022 appeared first on United Reformed Church.

The post Sign Up appeared first on United Reformed Church.