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The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.
The latest edition of Sharing the Vision is available to download below.
Stepwise – article for church newsletters
Stepwise is making a difference! Read more about Stepwise in this article which can also be downloaded and used in church newsletters.
Synod Deployment Consultation
Ministries & Learning Committee are inviting congregations, ministers, elders, young people – anyone involved in the life and witness of Wessex URC congregations – to take part in a consultation about their vision and mission for the future. The feedback will feed into proposals for future patterns of ministry and deployment in Wessex about which […]
Guildford URC win Gold Award in Guildford in Bloom 2021
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.
Good News Story – and the winners are…
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 […]
Praise from the Heart – Psalm resources
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 […]
Newsletter Children’s & Youth – November
Here is the Bimonthly Newsletter from the Children’s & Youth Team at Church House – November 2021.
Gosport School Pastors
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 […]
Latest URC News Update
The latest edition of NewsUpdate is now available at the following link: View NewsUpdate here
Good News Story – Green Living Group – the sequel!
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 […]
Good News Story – Community Accessible AED
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 […]
Legacies of Slavery
Download the Legacies of Slavery Consultation document below: LoS Consultation Overview Document Further information can be found on the URC website: https://urc.org.uk/our-work/legacies-of-slavery.html
Synod Papers available now – October 2021
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 […]
What is God asking of YOU?
Ministry Enquirers’ Event on Saturday 2 October 2021, 10am – 4pm on Zoom to help you think about God’s call to Worship Leading Lay Preaching Ministry with children and young people the Ministry of Word and Sacraments Church Related Community Work Chaplaincy Contact: ministries@urc.org.uk to register and receive programme details. Publicity flier
September “in person” Area Gatherings
Topic: Reporting back from General Assembly Tea/Coffee at 6.30pm for a 7pm start – finishing by 9.15pm. Everybody Welcome North East – Monday 6th September at Guildford URC South East – Tuesday 7th September at Havant URC South West – Monday 13th September at Trinity Church, Ringwood North West – Wednesday 15th September at Wheatley URC
New Freedoms, Same Responsibilities
As the Governments in England, Scotland and Wales move towards reducing or ending Coronavirus restrictions on Places of Worship, the Synod Moderators offer the following guidance to congregations of the United Reformed Church. We remind churches of the Great Commandments: to love God with our whole being and love our neighbour as we love ourselves. All […]
Safely celebrating Holy Communion
Safely celebrating Holy Communion In response to a few people asking recently how best to deal with Communion at this stage of the pandemic, here is some general guidance, recognising that each church needs to respond according to local risks and their own customs. There is no “one size fits all” solution. Government Guidance as […]
Good News Story – URC vaccine appeal tops more than £23,000
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 […]
Good News Story from Woking URC
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 […]
Supersleuths: URC resources for Holiday Clubs
FREE – Heroes and Villains Holiday club from the URC 2021 Supersleuths – publicity poster Are you planning to run a holiday club this year? Whether it’s the first one you have run or you run them regularly this Holiday is for you. Get your detective hat and coat on, grab your magnifying glass, there […]
World Day of Prayer
What a wonderful blessing technology has proven for uniting so many people for the World Day of Prayer, Friday 5 March. Salisbury, Andover, Poole and Devizes joined forces and hosted a Zoom service with 198 screens joining, several with 2 people. There were 22 people involved as readers, 3 pre-recorded musicians, and 5 on the […]
Junior Church members speak at Synod
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
Christians on Ageing
Christians on Ageing provide useful resources, and run events throughout the year. More details from https://christiansonageing.org.uk
URC Black History Monthly
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 […]
Synod Papers available now – March 2021
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 […]
Holy Week podcasts for 11-14 year olds
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 […]
Living in the Anthropocene: Resilience and adaptability
A blog from the Tragedy and Congregations team, www.tragedyandcongregations.org.uk I am writing this in mid-January 2021. We are in our third lockdown in the UK. A new more highly transmissible variant of Covid-19 is sweeping through the country. Of late, daily deaths have numbered over 1,000 (today over 1,500). When will it end? Today the […]
Wessex Events children and youth 2021
Here is our exciting programme of events 2021 for children and young people. Save the dates and keep an eye out for further details.
Newsletter children’s & youth January
Bimonthly Update from the Children’s & Youth Team at Church House – January 2021. We hope that the new year sees you healthy and in positive frame of mind, thinking of the ways to develop children’s and youth work further through the things we have learned during the very different year we experienced in 2020 […]
Guidance on closing church buildings for public worship
The Synod Moderators have issued their latest guidance in response to the national lockdown. It can be found at the link below: Guidance from the Synod Moderators on closing church buildings for public worship
Sight Loss Friendly Church
The Sight Loss Friendly Church team is part of Torch Trust for the Blind, a Christian charity dedicated to enabling blind and partially sighted people to live fulfilling Christian lives. They do this by producing large print, braille and audio versions of the Bible and other leading Christian publications, and by empowering churches to include […]
Safeguarding Newsletter December 2020
Here is the December issue of the quarterly safeguarding newsletter. Safeguarding Newsletter – December 2020 – Online version Safeguarding Newsletter – December 2020 – Print version
Advent Supplement for Children’s & Youth work
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 […]
Bishop Rodwell Chomba Farewell Service
Below is a screen shot of Bishop Chomba, his wife Gertrude and their younger son waiting to receive greetings from members of the Presbytery in the course of his Farewell Service as he prepares to complete his eight years as Presbytery Bishop. The service was live streamed from St Paul’s United Church of Zambia on […]
Good News Story from Andover URC
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 […]
Children’s & Youth Nov newsletter
Greetings from the United Reformed Church Children’s and Youth Work Team. bi-monthly update of 2020 This month’s bimonthly is full of news and links to resources which we hope you will find useful and inspiring over the coming weeks of Advent and into the new year.
Black History Month
Black History Month sees the launch of the URC’s ‘Legacies of Slavery’ webpage You are invited to explore how the legacies of slavery continue to affect life today. Resources can be found on the URC website at the following link: https://urc.org.uk/legacies-of-slavery Resources include bible studies, films, books, papers, prayers and theology covering the topics including […]
Safeguarding Training Online in 2021
Next set of dates for Safeguarding Training Online. This is for all those working with children, young people and adults at risk. The training will be delivered via the Zoom online platform, across three sessions. Participants must attend all 3 sessions to complete the training and gain a certificate. Saturday mornings, 9.30am – 11am Part […]
Children’s and Youth News update Sept 20
Welcome to the September 2020 update from your support team in Children’s and Youth Work normally found at URC Church House but currently on Zoom! September 2020 – CYW bimonthly update URC Youth Supplement Youth Assembly 2021 – Letter from URC Youth Moderator
Safeguarding Newsletter September 2020
It is with joy that the first safeguarding newsletter is launched. Safeguarding Newsletter – September 2020 The newsletter has been produced as a joint effort to update you on changes and recent developments in child protection and safeguarding adults. There is a section at the end of the newsletter which is specific to […]
Ministry Enquirers’ Day Sat 3 October
Ministry Enquirers’ Day Saturday 3rd October 2020 10am – 1pm, via Zoom What does the Lord require of YOU? Ministry Enquirers’ Day for anyone thinking about God’s call to Lay Preaching, Ministry of Word and Sacraments or Church Related Community Work. For full details contact Farrah Falomi-Carrer at ministries@urc.org.uk
Cinnamon Network Training Series
Cinnamon Training Series Further information and bookings: https://www.cinnamonnetwork.co.uk/cinnamon-training/ Race Diversity 1 and 2 – Thursday 17th September – 9.30am-3.00pm Empowering Volunteers – Thursday 1st October – 9.30am-2.00pm Build a Successful Fundraising Strategy – Thursday 15th October – 9.30am-1.00pm Explore Missional Listening – Thursday 29th October – 9.30am-2.00pm Building Effective Partnerships – Thursday 12th November – 9.30am-1.00pm Effective Leadership – Thursday 26th November – 9.30am-1.00pm […]
Trialogue – an online live YouTube broadcast for 16-25 yr olds
Trialogue – a fortnightly panel discussion for young people! 3 Panelists, 3 Questions, 3 Values ‘Trialogue’ is aimed at 16 to 25 year olds, each session will explore a theme alongside a Bible passage, providing a spring board for further discussion and reflection. A member of the CYDO+ team will host three guest […]
Let’s Celebrate: children and young people in the URC
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!
Practical Information during Covid-19 and beyond
This page deals mainly with the practicalities we are faced with during the pandemic. For more pastoral support and ideas for worship, please see the post entitled Worship/Prayer Resources for during Covid-19 The URC will be updating advice to churches about Covid-19 (coronavirus) as and when new information is available. Please keep an eye […]
Worship/Prayer Resources for during Covid-19
Letter from Clare Downing re being church Telephone pastoral care guidance Wessex Synod March 2020 Wessex Synod have produced some basic guidelines on using video conferencing which we hope will be of help to you. Download them here: Video conference Guidelines URC Daily Devotions The Church of England has set up […]
Virtual Green Living Group
We are a virtual Green Living Group ‘meeting’ in Southampton to explore ways we can reduce our carbon footprint at an individual and household level. Most of us are members of Avenue St Andrew’s URC. We are using the Dorset Green Living Guide (greenliving.sustainabledorset.org) looking at food, energy, transport, waste, water and community. We are […]
Good News Story from Guildford URC
Guildford URC is unusual in having a resident Caretaker, Andrew Lee. Although COVID-19 forced cancellation of the many regular activities by the church and local community groups Andrew has kept the building active including recording components of Sunday services for our website http://www.guildfordurc.org.uk/category/virtual-service/ and supervising our collection for Guildford’s Salvation Army Food Bank. When the […]
How we can change the way our money is used in the current crises we face
The current Coronavirus pandemic has awakened us to the frailty of our accepted social and economic norms. Prior to it, though, the accelerating global warming crisis should have alerted us to the danger of continuing in the way to which we have become accustomed in ‘developed’ countries, especially over the last 40 years. Our Wessex […]
Prayers for use by the Churches of Wessex Synod
Below are 2 Prayers – 1 for Zambia – 1 for during this season of pandemic To help our congregations lift up global concerns during this pandemic season Provided by the World Church Group Prayers for Zambia by Nigel Appleton Gracious God, We give thanks for the resilience and faith of our sisters and […]
Stepwise – online group starting soon
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 […]
Black Lives Matter – a reflection from Enala Bhebhe
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 […]
New page for Resources children & youth
Wessex Synod has a new page for children’s and youth work resources. Check out the new page here.
Virtual Communion resource
Sharing Communion Over the Easter period, communion is usually celebrated in our churches. The Faith and Order Committee of the URC has prepared a paper which gives guidance on the potential for sharing communion as a part of ‘virtual’ services during this period when we cannot meet together. You can find it at: Virtual Communion (please […]
Worship Live streams
Church House have a comphrehensive list of churches offering live streamed services, sermons as podcasts, recorded services on YouTube, audio files of services and sermons and other resources has now been published. https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3385-coronavirus-worshipping-digitally
URC Guidance on Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
The URC has issued guidance to churches and it is available to read at the following link: https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3365-urc-issues-coronavirus-advice-to-its-churches.html
Mission Shaped Church on Sat 28 March 2020
Saturday 28 March 2020 Fleet URC 10.30am – 3.30pm A day of exploration with guest speaker: Linda Rayner Being a mission-shaped church in 21st century Britain raises many important questions. This will be a dynamic day of conversation and interaction, of mutual support and valuable networking. Learning to listen to our communities in order […]
Revd Ana Gobledale’s Zambian journey
Ana, as recipient of the Short Term Study Grant, will be in Zambia 17 July – 1 October. Her time will be split between the Presbytery of Lusaka and the United Church of Zambia University in Kitwe. While guest of Bishop Choma, she will be meeting with various church groups. While at the University, she […]
Association of Church Editors award to Salisbury URC
The 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Association for Church Editors presented Hugh Abel, long-time Magazine Editor for Salisbury United Reformed Church, with a Certificate for Achievement (for an A5 magazine using colour). Hugh travelled to London to receive the Church Magazine Award at the AGM held at Central Hall, Westminster, on 22 June. Hugh, […]
United Service hosted by Andover URC
We may be a small church (average attendance 12-15), but when Andover Churches Together was looking for a host for a community service, our representative suggested we take a turn. Her enthusiasm became contagious. ‘Serving the World’ became the theme to mark the end of Christian Aid Week and we invited a Christian Aid speaker. Enlisting […]
Nicholson Gardens, Gosport
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.
Pulpit Supply Fees – did you know…
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 […]
Stepwise is coming! What is Stepwise?
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 […]
Example Safeguarding Policy for Local Churches in Wessex Synod
Example Safeguarding Policy for Local Churches in Wessex Synod.
Christmas Tree Festival 2018 – Bridport
Once again the United Church in Bridport was transformed by over 60 Christmas Trees each decorated by a local community group or charity and filling every available inch with lights, images and messages galore. Over 7,000 folk come through the doors during the 12 days of the festival and over £2,000 raised by the charities […]
Journey to the Stable
Every year, the United Church Dorchester transforms itself into an interactive, welcoming space during Advent when several hundred folk come through the front door (for the occasion turned into Stable Doors!) to explore the Christmas story in an innovative way. Six ’Stations’ are set up for folk to explore, consider and think about the stages […]
Salisbury Angel Festival at Salisbury URC
We had a ‘heavenly’ second annual Angel Festival! With amazing portrayals of angels created by churches, schools and community groups, delicious refreshments and entertainment. http://salisburyurc.co.uk/angel-festival/ Salisbury URC held its second ‘annual’ Angel Festival in October. Angels of all shapes, sizes and interpretations filled the sanctuary to the rafters (literally!) More than 20 schools, churches, community […]
Salisbury URC – Transgender Remembrance Service
Something new is happening at Salisbury United Reformed Church! Transgender Remembrance Service held About 40 people gathered from as far away as Woking and Devon for a thoughtful, reflective service on Sunday 18 November to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 November). Being the only service of its kind in the southeast of England, much […]
Christmas Tree Festival at West Moors
St Martin’s United Reformed Church, 2 Moorlands Road, West Moors, Dorset, BH22 0JW A warm welcome always awaits you at St Martin’s, the ‘little church with the big heart’ News Release West Moors Christmas Tree Festival raises £660 for charity 30 beautifully decorated and illuminated trees lit up St Martin’s United Reformed Church in […]
STEPWISE facilitator role description
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. […]
TRIO resource pack available to loan
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 […]
Introducing Stepwise
Find out more about Stepwise, the United Reformed Church’s intergenerational discipleship programme. Visit their page here
More photos from Fleet URC
Durning the week, Paddington spent time with knit and natter and the coffee morning at Fleet URC.
Paddington’s Pilgrimmage: The Route
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. […]
Social Isolation
Social isolation is a major and increasing problem in the vast majority of the communities surrounding our church buildings. As well as seeking to host or run events in our buildings many are also seeking help for reaching out to the housebound around us. LINKING LIVES is a Christian Charity offering training and support for […]
Paddington at Iford URC
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.
Paddington at Fleet URC
At Fleet URC, Paddington was baptised, joined choir practice and served refreshments.
Developing a dementia-friendly church A practical guide
A guide has been produced by Livability.org.uk and can be downloaded from their website here
Hiring Church Premises – FAQs
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.
New Policy Guidelines for Lay Presidency authorisations
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.
United Church of Zambia
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 […]
New CDM Regulations
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 […]
