As we enter the season of Advent and turn our hearts toward hope, light, and expectation, the life of Northern Synod continues to be full and active. Several of us attended the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly in mid-November, where we were reminded again of the prayerful discernment required of us as a Church in these complex times. I am grateful for the thoughtful and gracious contributions offered by our Synod representatives, whose presence helped ensure our shared voice was part of the wider URC conversation.

In this newsletter you will find the newly published 2026 Northern Synod Prayer Diary. Each year this diary becomes a small but significant thread in the fabric of our shared spiritual life, helping us to pray for one another, for our communities, and for the work of Christ across our region.

We also hold in prayer our brothers and sisters in Jamaica, where the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has been severe. The URC Commitment for Life team has launched an emergency appeal.   Our support, even from afar, bears witness to our belief that we are bound together in God’s global family.

Dates are in place in the New Year for elders and lay preachers who wish to train to preside at Communion.

Within our own structures, both the Synod Executive and Synod Trust have met recently and the updates that follow in the newsletter reflect ongoing work to steward our resources faithfully and to support local churches in their mission.

You will also find eco news for December, reminding us of our continued commitment to creation care.

St Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island continues to offer events and volunteering opportunities.  The Centre is well worth a visit if you are seeking a place of peace, pilgrimage, or service.  If you do plan to visit, please remember to check the tide times.

Elsewhere, a four-week Advent discussion group, with sessions held both in person and online, is taking place.  Hopefully as many people as possible can join in reflection and conversation as we journey toward Christmas.

The General Assembly Appointments Panel is seeking new members and this is an important way to serve the wider church.  Please consider whether this might be a role for you—or encourage someone else you think may be well-suited.  The Milton Mount Foundation is looking for a volunteer Treasurer.  Further details can be found in the newsletter.

The Northumbrian Industrial Mission has recently published its annual report, which you will find referenced later in the newsletter. Its chaplains continue to serve in workplaces and industries across our region, offering presence, compassion, and pastoral support in places where the church is often quietly yet powerfully at work.

Finally, as the new year approaches, we are reminded of Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. It is a solemn moment in our civic and spiritual calendar, calling us to remember the horrors of the past, to stand against hatred in the present, and to commit ourselves to a future shaped by justice and compassion.

We are always looking for news of interest and events so, if you have any items that you would like to be included in the newsletter, please send them in to newsletter or Wendy Watson.  Please remember that if you are including photographs, you need to gain the permission of the people in them for it to be shared.

Please note that the final issue of the newsletter for 2025 will be published on Friday 12 December. 

Until next time …
Lisa and Wendy

Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting
14 – 16 November, Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes

Northern Synod at the Extraordinary General Assembly

On Friday 14 November, a group of hale and hearty representatives from Northern Synod made the long journey down to Milton Keynes — a 6 am or even earlier start for many! — to attend the Extraordinary General Assembly.  The purpose of the gathering was to discuss and pass a range of important resolutions marking the next stage of the Church Life Review.

Throughout the three day meeting, members engaged in thoughtful and lively conversations. These discussions reflected the depth of commitment across the denomination to shaping the future direction and priorities of the Church.

The sense as the meeting concluded was clear: the work that has been so long in planning can now begin in earnest.  There is renewed hope that the steps taken will benefit the URC in countless ways as we work together for a more vibrant and faithful future.

2026 Northern Synod Prayer Diary

Click here to read the 2026 Synod Prayer Diary, produced by our Moderator, Revd Kim Money.

Jamaica Emergency Appeal

Please click here to read a letter giving information regarding a Commitment for Life ‘Jamaica Emergency Appeal’ following the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Lay Presidency at Communion

Synod Trust

Please click here to read the latest updates from the Synod Trust, from Andrew Atkinson, Trust Officer.

Synod Executive has been keeping an eye on …

Synod Executive met in November and discussed various matters which included implementing the Safer Recruitment Policy for new office holders, Synod Representation at Synod Meetings and the hopeful recruitment of a new Ecumenical Officer.  Synod Executive also noted the retirement of the former Synod Clerk, Revd Dr Trevor Jamison.  We wish Trevor well for a happy retirement and Executive also noted that Revd Alan McGougan will be stepping down as Northern Synod Trust Convenor in December.  At the time of the meeting, representatives from Northern Synod were planning to attend the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting in Milton Keynes.

Visit to Torre Pellice, Piedmont, Italy, September 2025
 submitted by Ann Sinclair

Ann began her studies for Ministry at the Scottish College this September.  She took part in a field trip to Northern Italy and visited the Waldensian Church, and the small town of Torre Pellice.

You can read more about Ann’s trip by clicking here.

Morning Prayers 

Everyone is invited to join the Northern Synod morning prayers.
Join at 9 am for 15-20 minutes, Monday to Friday, through Zoom.
To join the zoom meeting click here
Meeting ID: 959 7959 4334
Passcode: worship
 

Click here to read the latest eco-news from Charles Jolly, Synod Green Apostle.

Bibles for Northern Bairns

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE QR CODE but use this link instead to register.  
BIBLES FOR NORTHERN BAIRNS – URC

We all know that reading to young children is an important part of helping them develop – it helps speech development enables learning and they can often repeat those stories. 

Bibles for Northern Bairns aims to give the chance for bible stories to be some of the stories that they hear and remind them of a God who loves them.

URC Youth Assembly
27 February – 1 March 2026

Kings Park Conference Centre, Northampton, NN3 6LL is a great venue with twin rooms and good food!
A weekend full of worship, workshops, entertainment and time to breathe.
Youth decides: What matters to you? Dive into real talk, make change happen, and engage with the wider church.
£125 early bird until 7 Dec, £155 from 8 Dec until 25 Jan 2026
Bookings are now open: click here or email here.

Here’s a taste of Youth Assembly 2025– see the video here:

The Synod will organise travel and cover the cost of attending youth assembly – just email John Stephenson to express interest.

Training Opportunities

We are keen to support all who work with children, young people and families in our churches.  We want to facilitate you to access the events that are taking place and so we will be willing to cover the fees for attending any of the events below.

URC Youth Leaders Gathering
Running the same weekend as URC Youth Assembly (27 February – 1 March 2026) at a separate venue 15 minutes drive away. John Is the host and leader of the weekend and we will travel together. Email John to register your interest.

Hand in hand conference: the National Children & Families Conference 6-8 February 2026
We are planning to organize a group to attend this event with costs covered by the Synod.  Please get in touch to register your interest.  For further details click here.

Waddington Street URC, Durham
Student Bonfire Night Party
Photographs used with permission

Waddington Street URC, Durham
Remembrance Sunday 2025

submitted by Revd Ray Anglesea

Church members and friends were delighted to welcome the Chapel Choir of St Hild and St Bede College, University of Durham with their musical director Louis Allan together with their chaplain Revd Marie Edwards at their morning Remembrance Sunday service, led by the Revd Ray Anglesea.

The chapel choir returned in the afternoon to sing with Grey College Chapel Choir, musical director Samuel Board and their chaplain the Revd Fiona Hill in a café style Act of Remembrance service.

Refreshments were served to the students after the morning service and during the afternoon.

Photographs used with permission

West End URC, Newcastle
Remembrance Sunday

submitted by Doug Fox, Elder

Fenham Explorer Scout and Ranger Guide Units attended the Remembrance Sunday Service at West End URC.

A knitted poppy display was placed on the West End Church gates.

Photographs used with permission

St Cuthbert’s Centre, Holy Island

St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton
in person and on zoom Advent Discussions

St Cuthbert’s Centre, Holy Island
Management Group

St Cuthbert’s Centre, Holy Island
Volunteers needed

General Assembly Appointments Panel Members

We are seeking eight people to serve on a Panel on behalf of the General Assembly, to participate, for 5 years, in the process of the appointment of Synod Moderators and other General Assembly roles reserved for Ministers of the Word and Sacraments.

Applicants would need to bring experience of engaging at Synod or General Assembly level, be a good communicator, and have an understanding of the conciliar nature of the United Reformed Church (URC) and its governance. It would be beneficial to have experience in convening meetings and be willing to convene a panel. (See Person Specification for more information.)

The membership of this Panel will be nominated to reflect the diversity of the URC.

Relevant General Assembly papers explaining more about this can be found: (GA Book of Reports 2024 Paper H10 p.210 and GA Book of Reports Paper J1 p.186)

Being part of this Panel will require a commitment to ongoing training (see p.214 of GA Book of Reports 2024, Paper H10) and a willingness to be available to serve on the majority of such panels for 5 years.

This role requires willingness to travel as assessments will take place in Synods relevant to the role or within London.

Please email [email protected] for an application form. For further information or an informal discussion, please contact the Convenor of Nominations Committee, Victoria Blunt, at [email protected]

Treasurer – Milton Mount Foundation – volunteer role

The Milton Mount Foundation is a Trust Fund that offers grants to children of Ministers. The Fund arises from the sale of the Milton Mount College in 1962.
For more information: https://www.miltonmountfoundation.org.uk/
 
The Treasurer oversees the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements and reports to the Board of trustees at each meeting about the financial health of the organisation.
Closing date for applications: 31 January
Informal interview for role: 26 February pm or 27 February am
For more information and application form, please click here .

Please click here to read the 2024 – 2025 annual report from the Northumbrian Industrial Mission.

Online Advent Service – Sunday 14 December 6 – 7 pm

The annual online Advent service with the URC’s partner churches in the Pfalz region of Germany will be on Sunday evening 14 December, 6.00 to 7.00 pm. The service will be in English and German (with subtitles).
This is an excellent opportunity to meet with our German friends, with the facility for conversations during the service in break-out rooms. It will be hosted by the URC’s online church, yoURChurch.
To join please click here.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January each year. There are many different and meaningful ways you can get involved and play your part.  Click here for further information.

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