Wessex Synod

of the United Reformed Church
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Wessex Worshops / Area Gatherings 2022

Area Gatherings to discuss General Assembly:

Tuesday 20th September – Trinity United Church, Ringwood

Monday 26th September – St Pauls, Bracknell

Wednesday 28th September – Online session

Christians Against Poverty Anniversary Service

23rd June 2022 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

A Guildford debt counselling service, in conjunction with Christians Against Poverty (CAP), has marked its tenth anniversary with a service of celebration and thanks. Held at Westborough United Reformed Church on Sunday, May 8, people who work and volunteer for and support the service from Guildford churches attended. Westborough Church’s minister, Graham Hoslett, said that […]

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Latest JPIT Newsletter

23rd June 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

The latest JPIT newsletter is available by following this link:  JPIT Latest edition

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Coronavirus: Synod Moderators’ updated guidance

16th June 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

Covid-19 infections continue to spread, although the lower ‘R-value’ shows that the infection rate is slowing. Restrictions imposed by our various Governments have been lifted. However, many people who form, and are served by, our churches are still vulnerable. Many now see the risks from COVID-19 as being lower because of vaccines and seasonal factors. […]

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Sharing the Vision – June edition

16th June 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Sharing the Vision

The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.

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Digital Resources for Worship

16th June 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

The URC has various resources available to Churches – have a look at what’s available: Daily Devotions – A daily email with a simple reading, reflection and prayer to help with discipleship. Also available in advance, as booklets to print off locally to give to those without internet access. Sunday Worship – A weekly audio […]

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Hybrid Church Meet up – 6th July

15th June 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

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Latest URC News Update

6th June 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

The latest edition of NewsUpdate is now available at the following link: View NewsUpdate here   NewsUpdate Extra – May

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Safeguarding for Elders – webinar

25th May 2022 / Development Team Admin / Elders, News

Introduction to Safeguarding for Elders – webinar   Please join one of the dates below to gain vital information on your specific safeguarding role in the URC.  This session is for all serving Elders and will last no more than 90 minutes.   Tuesday 14 June 2022 at 7.30pm or Thursday 21 July 2022 at […]

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Sharing the Vision – May edition

19th May 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Sharing the Vision

The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.

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Moderator’s Christmas Card Drawing Challenge

19th May 2022 / Deborah Walker / Children & Youth News, News

It’s been a few years since we last held our challenge to find a design for the Moderator’s Christmas Card. This year the challenge is open to EVERYONE within the Synod. Are you up for the challenge?   Rules: Design must be drawn on one side of A4 paper in portrait layout (which will be […]

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Exciting opportunity Advent Resource

18th May 2022 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

Are you aged 5 – 11? Are you a young family with big ideas? Do you want to be involved in designing a new resource for the URC?   You are invited to come and take part The creative team who are putting together this year’s Advent Resource would like to hear from you Come […]

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Training for DBS verifiers and safer recruitment

18th May 2022 / Development Team Admin / News, Upcoming Events

DDC (Due Diligence Checking Ltd) and the URC Training Coordinator for Safeguarding will be hosting Verifiers and Safer Recruitment training on line on the following dates and times.   You can come to both parts of the session or just one part, whichever is relevant to your role.   Tuesday 12th July – Verifiers’ session 7-8pm, […]

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Generating Income and Grant Applications

17th May 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

Sat 1st October 2022 – 10am–4pm in Bristol (in person) This ACAT course is for those who are looking to source funding for their church or for a church project. It has been designed to provide delegates with the skills and confidence required to identify potential sources of funding before successfully applying for it.   […]

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8 new members join St Andrew’s Reading

16th May 2022 / Deborah Walker / Uncategorised

  Special Day as 8 new members join St Andrew’s URC Reading Sunday 8th May was a very joyful day as in a packed Church, friends and family saw 8 of our Church family came into membership of St Andrew’s URC, Reading.     Revd Robert Barthram received into membership by Profession of Faith: Jacob, […]

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Bi-monthly Update May – Children & Youth

11th May 2022 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

Bi-monthly newsletter – May 2022 from the Children & Youth team at Church House.

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Sharing the Vision – April edition

22nd April 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Sharing the Vision

The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.

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3 ways to support Mental Health in the Church

20th April 2022 / Development Team Admin / News

Poor mental health affects all our lives.  Mental health issues can affect anyone, at any time, and sometimes for no apparent reason.  Not only that but the church is often at the forefront of engaging with the vulnerable.  So, how can we best look after the mental health of the church while looking after ourselves? […]

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Wessex Summer Camps 2022

31st March 2022 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

Wessex Summer Camps 2022 22 – 24 July 2022 Oakwood Activity Centre, Wokingham. Camp 1 for ages 8 – 11 year Camp 2 for ages 11 – 17 years   Wessex Summer Camps Brochure for further details including cost and payment information.   Bookings: £10 deposit per person required to secure your booking Wessex Summer […]

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Wessex Workshop – February recording

30th March 2022 / Development Team Admin / Area Gatherings, News

Wessex Workshop on 28 February Making the Most of Your Online Presence Speaker: Dan Morrell     Recording of the session available to watch on YouTube. Powerpoint presentation.    

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Sharing the Vision – March edition

22nd March 2022 / Deborah Walker / Uncategorised

The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.

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John Bradbury’s Speech from Synod

22nd March 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Synod Meetings

Revd John Bradbury, General Secretary of the URC spoke at the March Meeting of Synod on: ‘Reforming Christian Identity for the mid-21st Century’  

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Bi-monthly Update March – Children & Youth

16th March 2022 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

Bi-monthly newsletter – March 2022 from the Children & Youth team at Church House.

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Interactive Prayer Stations for All Ages

14th March 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Prayer

Sun Hats and Wellie Boots has produced interactive Prayer Stations designed for all ages. They are ideal for intergenerational worship, or to be left in churches to be explored throughout the week. They’re also ideal for school prayer spaces, particularly for children 8yrs+ and high school students, but can also be used for youth groups […]

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Green Living Aims

14th March 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

At March Synod Revd Dr Sarah Hall from Avenue St Andrew’s URC in Southampton spoke briefly about Green Living and the interactive leaflets available to help you and your friends, family, colleagues to understand more and take action. These Green Living leaflets are an attempt to convey key points from the Dorset Green Living Guide with updates of information […]

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Synod Papers available now – March 2022

25th February 2022 / Deborah Walker / Uncategorised

Synod meets in person on Saturday 12th March London Street URC, Basingstoke, RG21 7NU   The Synod Papers are available to download below in either pdf or Word format   Church Map:  Find London Street URC Where to park: Car Parks Basingstoke 2022 We recommend you park in Eastlands multistorey car park which is highlighted […]

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Sharing the Vision – February edition

18th February 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Sharing the Vision

The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.

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URC Church and Society update

15th February 2022 / Deborah Walker / Church & Society, News

Download: URC Church & Society update Feb 2022   

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Good News Story – Twyford URC (Bucks)

14th February 2022 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

Twyford United Reformed Church After years of fundraising and planning, building work is underway to bring one of Twyford’s most loved community buildings into the 21st century. Apart from a small 1950s toilet and kitchen extension, Twyford United Reformed Church (URC) and old school room have changed little since the late 19th century and the […]

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Discipleship: a study resource for churches

31st January 2022 / Development Team Admin / Uncategorised

Discipleship – a Study Resource for Churches In 2020, just as we all went into Lockdown, a small group of people at United Church Winchester began to put together a booklet entitled ‘Discipleship: Know it. Nourish it. Live it.’ In the following year the church engaged with this in 3 parts, with preaching and in […]

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Discipleship Development Grants

19th January 2022 / Development Team Admin / News, Walking the Way

Discipleship Development Grants Further information and application forms.

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Sharing the Vision – January edition

13th January 2022 / Deborah Walker / News, Sharing the Vision

The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.

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URC is 50 – Jubilee Celebrations

13th January 2022 / Deborah Walker / News

Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration If you asked for a seat or two to be reserved for the October 1 service, you should now have received an email from Eventbrite with your ticket/s. Please keep these safe as the codes will be needed to gain entry to the venue. You can bring a print out […]

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Newsletter Children’s & Youth – January

10th January 2022 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

Here is the Bimonthly Newsletter from the Children’s & Youth Team at Church House – January 2022

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Crisis Communications Plan for Local Churches

10th December 2021 / Deborah Walker / News

A free guide to crisis communications for churches. Crisis communication is an essential element of disaster ministry. A little bit of preparation now can go a long way in ensuring everything goes more smoothly at your church when disaster strikes. This plan aims to support Ministers, Elders and staff to provide best practice tips for […]

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Churches Together in England latest news

6th December 2021 / Deborah Walker / News

View the latest Churches Together in England Newsletter

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Stepwise – article for church newsletters

16th November 2021 / Development Team Admin / News, Walking the Way

Stepwise is making a difference!       Read more about Stepwise in this article which can also be downloaded and used in church newsletters.

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Guildford URC win Gold Award in Guildford in Bloom 2021

8th November 2021 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

Thanks to the green-fingers and hard work of Guildford URC member Ian Hitchcock the Church was delighted to win the Gold Award in the Best Front Garden category, in Guildford in Bloom 2021.    

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Good News Story – and the winners are…

8th November 2021 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

And the winners are… Collectively Camberley, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Camberley Town Centre, was established in 2011. In 2021 95% of those businesses in the area voted to extend the BID for another 5 years. The BID, organises many of the town centre events, including the car show, Farmers Markets, Christmas Lights and […]

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Praise from the Heart – Psalm resources

8th November 2021 / Deborah Walker / News, Prayer

For many years, Revd. Duncan Wilson (now a retired minister in Banbury) has been using the lectionary’s choice of Psalms each week as a call or introduction to worship. He has paraphrased each psalm as a responsive call to worship and is now offering them as a resource for churches and worship leaders to use […]

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Advent, Easter, Pentecost, Psalms, Resources

Gosport School Pastors

1st November 2021 / Development Team Admin / Good News Story, News

  Gosport School Pastors, represented by myself and Andy Williams, were awarded the Community Impact Award at the Hampshire Education Awards celebration held in October 2021. This is a huge honour and one which we feel extremely privileged to have received. We were delighted to have been nominated by members of the Senior Management Team […]

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October 2021 Synod Minutes available now

22nd October 2021 / Deborah Walker / News, Synod Meetings

Download the Minutes from the October meeting of Synod:

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Good News Story – Green Living Group – the sequel!

18th October 2021 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

You may remember the virtual Green Living Group based at Avenue St Andrew’s URC in Southampton which reported in May 2020 that we were using the Dorset Green Living Guide (greenliving.sustainabledorset.org) to look at our individual carbon footprints relating to food, energy, transport, waste, water and community in our lives. At that stage we thought […]

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Good News Story – Community Accessible AED

13th October 2021 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

In June I was approached by one of our local councillors asking if he could fund a community accessible defibrillator outside High Cross Church. Having spoken to a few people and checked locations, we agreed it would be a great project and the ideal location would be outside the café doors so it was accessible […]

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Synod Papers available now – October 2021

24th September 2021 / Deborah Walker / News, Synod Meetings

Synod meets in person on Saturday 9th October  High Cross Church Knoll Road, Camberley, GU15 3SY   The Synod Papers are available to download below in either pdf or Word format   Download: Legacies of Slavery Consultation Overview Document Synod Apology Slip Find High Cross on the map Poster swap information We have looked at […]

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Good News Story – URC vaccine appeal tops more than £23,000

11th May 2021 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story

Generous donors have helped the United Reformed Church (URC) raise more than £23,000 for Christian Aid. The initiative started when Salisbury URC member Meg Abel, suggested that people might wish to show their gratitude for their own Covid-19 vaccinations by helping to raise funds to supply coronavirus vaccines to countries struggling to afford them. The idea […]

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Good News Story from Woking URC

11th May 2021 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story

What shall we do for Christian Aid Week this year?  Faced with a second year of not being able to share with other local Churches in collecting from homes, outside the railway station and a big store, Woking URC, in addition to another Zoom Quiz Night, took on the challenge of a different kind of […]

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March 2021 Synod Minutes available now

30th March 2021 / Deborah Walker / News, Synod Meetings

Download the Minutes from the March meeting of Synod:

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Junior Church members speak at Synod

16th March 2021 / Deborah Walker / News, Synod Meetings

Two of Salisbury URC’s Junior Church came to Synod on Saturday 13th March and spoke to the meeting. Their contributions can be read by following the links below: Alex’s Statement of Faith God’s Garden by Alice

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Christians on Ageing

16th March 2021 / Deborah Walker / News

Christians on Ageing provide useful resources, and run events throughout the year. More details from https://christiansonageing.org.uk

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URC Black History Monthly

10th March 2021 / Deborah Walker / Uncategorised

The URC’s Legacies of Slavery task group has launched a new initiative – Black History Monthly. Each month throughout the year, a different article, film, book, or poetry by Black writers will be explored so that people can learn about Black History through a variety of lenses. More details available here: URC launches Black History […]

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Synod Papers available now – March 2021

26th February 2021 / Deborah Walker / News, Synod Meetings

Synod meets virtually on Zoom on Saturday 13th March 10am start – finishing by 16:00 Voting members sign-in from 9.30am Non-voting members and visitors sign in from 9.45am   Join the Zoom Meeting using: https://zoom.us/j/95094248805?pwd=ZW0yUkY0akNFaFNhR2VxM1pWcmNrQT09 Meeting ID: 950 9424 8805 Passcode: 013302 The Synod Papers are available to download below in either pdf or Word […]

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Holy Week podcasts for 11-14 year olds

22nd February 2021 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

2021 Holy Week Mini Podcast Series A series of 8 daily recordings to listen and engage with throughout Holy Week 2021. Aimed at 11 to 14 year olds, each recording includes a Bible reading, reflection, prayer, and a response activity.   Podcasts will be released daily from Palm Sunday (28th March) until Easter Sunday (4th […]

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Advent Supplement for Children’s & Youth work

1st December 2020 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

The nights are definitely drawing in and winter is in the air – a sure sign that Advent is just around the corner.   Here is a special Advent supplement to share with you the resources which are available to you from the URC CYW team.   We hope you find something of interest or […]

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Good News Story from Andover URC

10th November 2020 / Deborah Walker / Good News Story, News

THE BIG SLEEP Ashley and Ryan have been raising money for a charity that provides shelter and accommodation for people that are vulnerable and homeless. We took part in an event that is called the Big Sleep, which was when you sleep on the floor in the streets, but due to Coronavirus (and us being […]

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Let’s Celebrate: children and young people in the URC

4th August 2020 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News

We would love everyone to hear about all that is going on among children and young people in the URC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAOwv-oOzZM Please feel free to share the link as widely as possible!

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Stepwise – online group starting soon

15th June 2020 / Development Team Admin / Walking the Way

An online group for the Stepwise Faith Filled Life Stream will be starting soon.     Not limited by geography this group will follow the same content of the stream, so participants will have the same opportunity for deepening their discipleship, just using a different medium for group interaction.   The stream facilitators will be […]

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Black Lives Matter – a reflection from Enala Bhebhe

10th June 2020 / Deborah Walker / News, Racial Justice and Intercultural Ministries

Why should they experience brutality in the hands of the police? Why should they experience injustice from the justice system? Why experience inequality and racism in the classroom and in all work settings? Why are they affected the most in the face of Covid-19 pandemic? Is it by choice to be born black? Yes, there […]

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New page for Resources children & youth

9th April 2020 / Development Team Admin / Children & Youth News, News, Uncategorised

Wessex Synod has a new page for children’s and youth work resources. Check out the new page here.

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How does Stepwise work? new short film

4th June 2019 / Development Team Admin / News, Walking the Way

How does Stepwise work? Watch this short film (5 minutes) – a Taste of Stepwise.

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Nicholson Gardens, Gosport

26th April 2019 / Development Team Admin / Uncategorised

The Nicholson Gardens are a beautifully secluded, secure and peaceful place within the heart of Gosport. Managed by members of Gosport URC St Columba, they can be found between Spring Garden Lane and Carlton Road, (accessible from Carlton Road). Further information, including photos, travel directions and contact details for booking enquiries.

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Pulpit Supply Fees – did you know…

16th April 2019 / Deborah Walker / Lay Preachers, News

You may not be aware that there are certain situations in which a church can claim re-imbursement of Pulpit Supply expenses from Church House.     These expenses can be claimed when a Minister is unable to work for one of the following reasons: ill-health which is certified; parental leave; Jury Service; a sabbatical term […]

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Stepwise is coming! What is Stepwise?

20th March 2019 / Development Team Admin / News, Walking the Way

Stepwise is being rolled out in Wessex Synod. What is Stepwise?   Stepwise is the new intergenerational United Reformed Church discipleship development programme.  It is for people of all ages and backgrounds.  Stepwise is an integral part of Walking the Way – living the life of Jesus today, the United Reformed Church’s focus on whole-life […]

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Example Safeguarding Policy for Local Churches in Wessex Synod

12th February 2019 / Development Team Admin / Uncategorised

Example Safeguarding Policy for Local Churches in Wessex Synod.

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STEPWISE facilitator role description

4th October 2018 / Development Team Admin / News, Walking the Way

We are looking for people who can catch a vision of the church of the future and help facilitate those who are going to be part of leading us forward towards that vision.  We are not looking for teachers, but people who can facilitate others’ learning.  If this sounds like you, please get in touch. […]

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TRIO resource pack available to loan

6th August 2018 / Development Team Admin / News

TRIO is a financial stewardship programme for churches which has proven success in a wide variety of demographic settings in encouraging generosity in giving. A TRIO campaign encourages people to consider their financial giving to the church. …The Responsibility Is Ours There are two copies of the TRIO pack available to loan from the Synod […]

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Holy Habits Resources available for local use

10th May 2018 / Development Team Admin / Lay Preachers, News, Walking the Way

Worship resource materials have been made available for local use.  

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Introducing Stepwise

17th March 2018 / Deborah Walker / News

Find out more about Stepwise, the United Reformed Church’s intergenerational discipleship programme. Visit their page here

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More photos from Fleet URC

28th November 2017 / Development Team Admin / Paddington's Pilgrimage

Durning the week, Paddington spent time with knit and natter and the coffee morning at Fleet URC.

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Paddington’s Pilgrimmage: The Route

24th November 2017 / Development Team Admin / News

Paddington’s Pilrimage – The Route Find out when Paddington will be coming to your church.   Paddington’s route – North Any problems or questions about the route in the North, please contact Phil Ray. Email Phil.   Paddington’s route – South Any problems or questions about the route in the South, please contact Ruth White. […]

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Paddington at Iford URC

22nd November 2017 / Development Team Admin / Paddington's Pilgrimage

At Iford URC, Paddington had tea and biscuits, chaired the church meeting, the children made him a book mark for his journal, and wrote him a letter.

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Paddington at Fleet URC

22nd November 2017 / Development Team Admin / Paddington's Pilgrimage

At Fleet URC, Paddington was baptised, joined choir practice and served refreshments.    

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Hiring Church Premises – FAQs

19th July 2017 / Deborah Walker / News, Wessex Trust

We have received various questions regarding the hiring documents we sent out recently so have produced a document with the most frequently asked questions, which can be downloaded here.  This will be updated from time to time with new questions we are asked.  

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New Policy Guidelines for Lay Presidency authorisations

20th March 2017 / Deborah Walker / Lay Preachers, News

Please download and read the letter about what we want each church to do in order to have people authorised to preside at the Sacraments.

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United Church of Zambia

11th August 2015 / Deborah Walker / United Church of Zambia (UCZ), World Church Group

United Church of Zambia United Church of Zambia links The Council for World Mission (CWM) has encouraged every Synod to develop a link with a church in another country as part of its ‘Belonging to the World Church’ Programme. Wessex Synod had already made links with UCZ when Revd Derek Wales was the Synod Moderator […]

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New CDM Regulations

30th July 2015 / Deborah Walker / News, Wessex Trust

    NEW Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)     Is your church currently involved with any type of construction works, or alterations? Are you planning to commence any of these works? Are you currently in discussion with contractors no matter how small the contract is? Do you have works carried out […]

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Elders resources for download in Word

7th May 2015 / Development Team Admin / Elders, News

Resources in Word format available to download.

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