General Assembly Moderator
The moderator of the General Assembly is the national figurehead for the denomination, representing the United Reformed Church both internally and within the wider world. The moderator chairs major meetings, visits churches at home and abroad, and seeks to provide worship, teaching and pastoral care.
From Assembly 2026 our moderator is the Reverend Neil Thorogood.
On this page, the Revd Neil Thorogood, writes and reflects on the things he does, places he visits, people he meets, and moments/events in the life of the United Reformed Church and beyond during his time in office.
If you would like to invite a moderator to visit your church or meeting, please email us.
Moderator鈥檚 Diary: July 2026
3-6 July – General Assembly
Latest reflections
Neil Thorogood, General Assembly Moderator 2026-2027聽
91制片厂 (URC) General Assembly has inducted its聽2026-2027聽Moderator.听听 The Revd Neil Thorogood, Minister of Thornbury and Trinity-Henleaze URCs聽in聽South聽Western聽Synod, who will serve as General Assembly Moderator 2026-2027, called the role an聽鈥渉onour鈥�.听听 Born in Sydney, Australia,聽while his parents were serving...
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Previous Moderator鈥檚 Blogs
Read a selection of posts from previous Moderators of the United Reformed Church.
Fish ‘n’ chips and woolly mascots
My most recent excursion as Moderator has been to Northumberland. Fish and chips were on...
A farewell with thankfulness: Remembering Trinity URC Lincoln
In this reflection, Catriona Wheeler, General Assembly Moderator and Elder of Trinity URC in Lincoln...
Bible Journalling
A couple of months before General Assembly my chaplain, Jane Wade, got in touch to...
Reflection on John 2:1-11
There鈥檚 a game that鈥檚 used to teach young actors something fundamental about acting. It鈥檚 so...
Reflections on America and the red-blue divide
The URC's Moderator of the General Assembly, the Revd Tim Meadows, who was born in...
All in a Year 鈥� Tim Meadows, Moderator of General Assembly
The moderatorial year of 2024-2025 has begun. I intend to start blogging under the title...
CWM Assembly 2024: GA Moderator reflects on The Day of the African Child
On 17 June, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of the URC General Assembly, reflected...
Sermon from Hope United Church in Jamaica
During the ecumenical pilgrimage to Jamaica earlier this month, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson was...
Ceasefire in Gaza now urges Moderator
In this blog, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson reflects on how 2024 sadly begins with...
Lambeth Conference and small steps toward affirming LGBTQI+
Convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference is an opportunity聽 for Anglican Bishops...
Remaining grateful together though apart
From 29-31 January, the Revd Clare Downing, Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) General...
Prepare for new fruit this Advent
Peter Pay, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, explains why the fig tree...
Let鈥檚 thank seen and unseen people
The Revd Clare Downing reflects on contrasting experiences in November, highlighting the value of behind-the-scenes...
Being nurtured
Peter Pay gives thanks for local church communities, and their nurturing work. I was due...
My learning journey
In her first blog post as General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Clare Downing shares new...
Virtual lives
In his first blog, Peter Pay, who was inducted as a Moderator of the United...
Jubilate Deo
In his last blog post as General Assembly Moderator, the Revd Nigel Uden reflects on...
Looking back, and forward
In his last blog post as Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, Derek...
Bernard Thorogood: His reputation, influence and legacy
The Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, reflects on the...
Focus hearts and minds on valuing God鈥檚 gifts
Inspired by Young people, Derek Estill, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, encourages...
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