A selection of news and stories from churches and communities across the United Reformed Church.
Thames North Synod
The Revd Elizabeth Welch, a former General Assembly Moderator (2001-2002), is undertaking a 60-mile walk this March to raise funds for Refugee Action.
So far, Elizabeth has completed 51 miles and is hoping to meet a fundraising target of 拢600.
Elizabeth said: 鈥淚 feel so much for those who are refugees. My husband and I have hosted refugees over the past three years. I’ve been grateful for the generous donations my appeal has received so far.鈥�
The former moderator has so far raised 拢400. If you would like to support Elizabeth鈥檚 fundraising efforts, see
Yorkshire Synod
St Andrew鈥檚 Roundhay in Leeds is celebrating after reaching its fundraising target to repair its Clocktower.
When the clock stopped working a few months ago the congregation was told that it would take more than 拢15,000 to both repair the clock and fit a suppressor to the clock bell to silence the chimes at night.
Dismayed at the huge sum of money required, the church turned to its 鈥渁mazing鈥� community for help.
In February, the congregation launched an appeal to help save the clock with a special fundraiser at the church鈥檚 weekly Clocktower Community Caf茅, open on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 12pm. Members of the church also delivered leaflets telling people more about the history and significance of the 118-year-old clocktower and set up a JustGiving page asking for donations.
The appeal met with resounding success with a total of 拢15,800 raised.
Heather Thomson, Treasurer for St Andrew鈥檚 Roundhay, said: 鈥淭he community rallied round and we were supported by our local councillors and even BBC Radio Leeds! We are so grateful to our members, friends and neighbours for donating so generously. In addition, it has been heartwarming to hear people鈥檚 stories and discover how much the clock means to those within our local community. 聽We feel incredibly blessed to have reached our fundraising target and can get our clock ticking again soon.鈥�
Images: Jane Bunyan.
East Midlands Synod
East Midlands Synod ministers鈥� recently enjoyed a 24-hour retreat which began with a prayer beloved of Pope Francis 鈥淛esus, make my heart more like yours鈥�.
Held at Launde Abbey, the retreat was led by the Revd Dr Susan Durber who drew upon her personal journey with the 1700th anniversary celebration of the Council of Nicaea, addressing a central question 鈥渨ho do we say Jesus is for us?鈥�
Susan combined deep challenge with accessibility and inspiration – including dramatic cameos in which each character, present at Nicaea, addressed and invited the group to ask questions of what it was like for members of the council in 325AD and those associated with them.
Participants left Launde encouraged to go on praying 鈥淛esus, make my heart more like yours鈥�.