As part of the Advent season, the United Reformed Church (URC) is gathering stories of hope and joy from around the denomination. Here’s a selection for you to enjoy.

One of Roy Barker’s hobbies is baking bread. Over the years, he has baked bread for neighbours, friends, and many from his church family at St James’ in Woolton Village, a local ecumenical partnership between the United Reformed and Methodist churches. 

For both happy and sad reasons, or just as a little friendly floury hug, Roy says the reaction he has received from people on receiving a gift of bread has always been lovely and sometimes very moving.

In his own words, he speaks about his love of baking and the holy habit of ‘sharing bread’:

A five-year-old boy who watched his dad lead a service and then asked if he could do the same has been named the recipient of November's Lundie Memorial Award.

Noah Boyce, from the United Reformed Church (URC's) Southern Synod, was nominated by his minister, the Revd David Yule of Christ Church, Westgate.