The United Reformed Church

Presbyterian and Churches of Christ archives
Helen Weller, Archivist (Mon, Wed, Thurs)
Westminster College,
Madingley Road,
Cambridge CB3 0AA.
Phone: 01223 741084
Email: hw374@cam.ac.uk
Website: www.westminster.cam.ac.uk

Congregational Archive
The Congregational Library,
Dr Williams’s Library,
14 Gordon Square,
London, WC1H 0AR
Phone: 020 7387 3727
Email: enquiries@dwlib.co.uk
Website: www.dwlib.co.uk/dwlib

Congregational Union of Scotland records
Archives, The Mitchell Library,
North Street,
Glasgow G3 7DN.
Phone: 0141 287 2910
Email: archives@glasgowlife.org.uk
Website: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries/the-mitchell-library/archives/Pages/home.aspx

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Encouraging equality, cherishing diversity

Introduction

The United Reformed Church believes that all people are created in God’s image and are loved by God. In his ministry Jesus showed God’s love by his openness to all people, including those who were marginalised in his day.

Statement of intent

The United Reformed Church affirms its commitment to show the same openness to all people in today’s world. It intends in spirit and in deed to promote equality of opportunity and diversity in all spheres of its activity and is committed to behaving as an equal opportunity organisation. It acknowledges that people are called to be diverse and lively, inclusive and flexible through the sharing of the gospel.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy Statement

Exclusion and discrimination can occur on many grounds including those recognised in law, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, marital status and disability. The United Reformed Church seeks to eradicate less favourable treatment in these areas by endeavouring to:

• Build inclusive communities where all will be treated with dignity and respect and have equality of opportunity to contribute their gifts to the common life;
• Identify and remove barriers to participation in employment, training, promotion, leadership and representation on church committees and in the attitudes and actions of  every congregation;
• Take positive action to counter attitudes and practices contrary to this statement of intent;
• Define within the law when being of a particular religion or belief is or is not  a requirement for any post within the church;
• Develop detailed policies to give effect to these requirements, and;
• Monitor and report on progress in fulfilling these requirements.

This policy is the overarching equality and diversity direction of the United Reformed Church and should be read in conjunction with The United Reformed Church’s declaration that it is a multicultural church and its equality policies on employment, church activities, membership, committees and councils.

Adopted by Mission Council 2006 and reported to General Assembly 2008.

Resources

• The Role and Remit of the Equalities Committee
• Equalities Policy 2008
• Training Session on Equality for All
• Welcoming people with disabilities to your church - a guide
• Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Church
• Guidelines for responding to allegations of bullying or harassment

Records of the Synods

Records of the synods (regional bodies) of the URC in England, Wales and Scotland are held by those synods. Contact details can be found via the URC website.

Records of URC Churches

Records of URC churches are held either by those churches or will have been deposited at the church’s local Public Record Office. Please contact the individual churches for further information (http://www.searchchurch.co.uk/).

The National Register of Archives may help locate records deposited in a Public Record Office.

If you are feeing called to be a lay preacher, there are people in your synod who can support you to test your call and, if it does seem to be the right path for you, will help you access the education and learning you need to lead you toward accreditation. Please visit your own synod's website to find the person who will carry out this role for you.

This resource may help you to consider if the role is for you. Could this be you?

Assembly accreditation is transferable wherever the preacher finds themselves in the United Reformed Church, and is also recognised by ecumenical partners. Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers are eligible to apply for up to £200 per year towards their ongoing development. Information on this can be found here.