It was wonderful to see so many of you at the recent Synod meeting in Gosforth.  The day was full of important discussions, and we covered a wide range of business.  The retiring collection in aid of the Christian Aid Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, raised the amount of £161.10.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important cause.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that Synod on Tour is coming soon to a church near you!  Synod on Tour is sure to be an engaging and informative event.

Andy Jackson, Head of Communications at the URC, has also shared some important dates and information regarding upcoming events from the URC.  The Children, Youth, and Families Team has also shared their news and updates.

From our churches, there are details of a concert at Jesmond URC, Bible study sessions, and a recent Sunday morning worship that brought the community together in fellowship.  In news from other places, The Waldensian Fellowship is organising a trip to Sicily later this year.  Additionally, we are pleased to share the latest edition of the NIM March newsletter. This publication continues to provide valuable insights and updates from across the region.  There are vacancies for a Clerk to the Trustees at the Congregational Memorial Hall Trust and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Head of Chaplaincy.

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 to [email protected] or [email protected].  Please remember that if you are including photographs, you need to gain the permission of the people in them for it to be shared.

The next edition of the newsletter will be published on Friday 4 April 2025.

Until next time …

Lisa and Wendy

News of URC events coming soon
submitted by Andy Jackson, Head of Communications
The United Reformed Church

Induction of Tessa Henry-Robinson as Free Churches’ Group Moderator
On Palm Sunday (April 13) at 6.30pm, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson will be inducted as Moderator of the Free Churches’ Group at the American International Church, Tottenham Court Road, London.
Tickets are free (but required because of the venue), and can be reserved here
 
Rejoice and Sing LIVE
On May 3, at Methodist Central Hall, Coventry, a hymn-filled service of celebration for the 35^th anniversary of the URC’s hymn book, Rejoice and Sing. Lots of hymn singing, a scratch choir led by Roo Stewart (all singers and choirs are welcome), talks from David Thompson, Stephen Orchard and Anne Sardeson, contributions from Dominic Grant, David Jenkins and Brenda Stephenson, a panel discussion led by Steve Tomkins, an exhibition and the chance to gather with many others to sing lots of superb hymns. Plus a special message from Brian Wren. A café will be available for lunches and drinks.
Reserve your free tickets here 
 
150^th Anniversary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
With roots in the 16th-century Reformation, and particularly in the theology of John Calvin, the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) dates its organisational history to London in 1875, and has been unifying churches over the course of its existence. It now represents 100m Christians from 230+ member churches in 109 countries around the world. A service to mark its 150^th anniversary will be held on July 12 at the American International Church, Tottenham Court Road.
Free tickets can be reserved here

Synod on Tour – Coming to a church near you

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS): important deadline

The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance has just issued the following e-mail which we thought worth passing on:

“As you know, from 1 April 2025 there is a cap on VAT refunds under the LPWGS. The cap will limit a place of worship to a total VAT refund of £25k in the year (i.e. equivalent to a spend including VAT of £125k)

We have just heard that VAT claims need to be in by 31st March 2025 latest if they are to treated under the current rules – that is, without a cap applying.

If the claim is received on or after 1 April then the cap will apply even if the expenditure was incurred before that date.

So if you think the cap may apply to you, you should claim for as much as possible on or before 31 March. If the cap definitely won’t apply to you, then there is no rush.”

Northern Synod – In Memoriam

Northern Synod was sorry to learn of the recent deaths of Miss Lesley Bustard, a lay preacher and also Mrs Margaret Rickerby, a long serving Church Secretary, of the now closed, St Andrew’s Church, Hebburn.  

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
 

URC online Series IOPT in Focus – 30 April 2.00 pm
please email here for the zoom link

Stepwise Faith Filled Life Online

Greenbelt 2025 call for interest
Click here to see the short clip about Northern Synod Goes to Greenbelt 2023

Volunteering at Greenbelt

The online application form to volunteer with the URC team at Greenbelt festival 2025 is now available to complete by visiting the URC Greenbelt webpage, please click here. 
The festival takes place on Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August 2025, at Boughton House, near Kettering. If you would like more information about the festival itself, please click here.
 
Please feel free to share this information with colleagues, friends and family who may be interested in getting involved.  You may even be tempted to volunteer yourself?
The closing date for volunteer applications is 24 April 2025.
 
If you are interested in joining the Youth venue team at Greenbelt (which is a different team to the URC venue) please click here. 
 
To find out more about Greenbelt’s theme, Hope in the Making – click here.

Environmental Group

Northern Synod are very keen to develop an Environmental Group that can help to steer the Synod as we engage with our Environmental Policy.  If you would be interested in joining us, or want to know more please contact Wendy Watson at the Synod office.

Summer Holidays and Festivals 2025

Click here to read about the forthcoming events in 2025.

Youth Event – Whitemoor Lakes, 2 – 4 May 2025

Please click here if you would like to book a place

Bethel URC, Chester le Street
submitted by Revd Marcus Hargis, photograph used with permission

Over the past couple of weeks, Bethel URC in Chester-le-Street has welcomed eight new members to the church. Two of these were by first profession of faith and six by transfer. A number of adherents have also started coming regularly from a variety of backgrounds. Reflecting on the start to 2025 Revd Marcus Hargis says, “There’s a real buzz at Bethel’s worship and fellowship events. We’re looking forward to discerning what God has in mind for us next.”  In the picture are those welcomed, along with some of the congregation present at a recent Sunday service.

During Lent 2025 people from any congregation are invited to join with St Columba’s URC, North Shields, and St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton in reading through “The Whole Easter Story”, a book about how the cross transforms not only our own individual connection with Jesus, but also our relationships with each other and our world. 

On each day of Lent, for personal use, there is a short Bible reading, a reflection, and a prayer, accompanied by illustrations of creatures from around the world.

There will also be six discussion group sessions, taking place on Thursday evenings at St Columba’s URC, North Shields, then repeated on the following Mondays at 2.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton, and 7.15 pm. that night on Zoom.  Click here to join via zoom.
 
Meeting dates:
Thursdays – March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10
Mondays – March 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7, 14
 
Copies of the book are available from The Bible reading Fellowship, or other online book suppliers such as Eden.

URC Waldensian Fellowship trip to Sicily

The URC Waldensian Fellowship is arranging a visit to the island of Sicily in Italy, which the Fellowship is organising for October 2025.  Click here for further details.

Partnerships Gathering

Opportunities for Partnership – online gathering 3 April 2025, 19:00-20:30
 
The URC has a long-standing Covenant of Pulpit and Table Fellowship with the Protestant Churches in the Palatinate region of Germany, the ‘Evangelische Kirche der Pfalz’ and around twenty local URCs are twinned with partner German churches from the region. We also have close links with the Waldensian Church in Italy and the United Protestant Church of France, among others.  Celebrating and nurturing unity is especially important now, in the changing political landscapes.
 
It is hoped that this meeting will:

• Proclaim a narrative of unity and partnership
• Give an opportunity for churches with existing partnerships to share their stories
• Inspire other churches to get involved and develop their own partnerships.

You are very welcome to join this meeting, please click here. 
 

Click here to read the March briefing from the Northumbrian Industrial Mission.

Click here to read the 2025 programme of events taking place at St George’s Venue, Hartlepool.

Congregational Memorial Hall Trust

The Congregational Memorial Hall Trust is seeking to appoint a Clerk to the Trustees to succeed the current postholder on his retirement.

The role involves overseeing the general administration and financial affairs of the charity.
Hours : In the region of 35 to 40 hours per month, worked flexibly
Remuneration :  £17,000 – £19,000 plus pension
The position will be home based with some meetings in Central London and Cambridge.
For further information, click here to see the Trust’s website.
Applications by email to Willie Duncan or in writing to
The Congregational Memorial Hall Trust (1978) Limited, 17 Springfield Park, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2NH
Closing date for applications May 15^th 2025.
Interviews will be held in London on June 5^th 2025.
 

Head of Chaplaincy

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

There is an exciting opportunity for a Head of Chaplaincy to lead and coordinate the well established and highly respected Chaplaincy team.  You should be a compassionate, caring and reliable leader with demonstrable acute healthcare chaplaincy experience who is in good standing with their faith or belief community.

This role would require excellent leadership and communication skills to be able to work in collaboration with members of staff across the hospital community.

The chaplaincy team provides high quality pastoral, spiritual and religious care to all patients, visitors and staff, regardless of their worldview.

Closing date is 30 March 2025

Please click the link below for further details 
Job Advert

URC vacancies

Click here to view the latest job and volunteer vacancies within the United Reformed Church

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