The General Assembly of the United Reformed Church (URC), the denomination’s key decision-making body, is scheduled to meet, from 6 to 9 July 2018 at The Albert Hall, Nottingham.

The General Assembly meets every two years to celebrate, discuss, and make decisions on, the life and work of the denomination.

Items on the agenda for this meeting include: the induction of the Revd Nigel Uden and Mr Derek Estill as Moderators of the General Assembly (2018-20); the role of Elders within the URC, the future of General Assembly, and a discussion on deployment of URC Ministers of Word and Sacraments, and a new model of non-stipendiary ministry of Word and Sacraments; also the Church’s concerns over a set of policies known as the ‘hostile environment’ and its impact on individuals.

Guest speakers include: the Revd Dr Collin Cowan, General Secretary of the Council for World Mission, Ms Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Director of Christian Aid, and Ms Yvonne Campbell, General Secretary of the Congregational Federation.

The URC communications team will be reporting on General Assembly, and the URC news pages, Facebook and Twitter accounts will include updates on the main decisions made throughout the meeting. A daily report will be posted online after the close of business each day.

The business sessions of General Assembly will be live-streamed and can be watched via www.urcassembly.tv; Assemby debates can also be followed on social media using the hashtag #URCGA18.

A full report on General Assembly is planned for inclusion in September’s extended issue of 'Digest' in Reform magazine.

The Book of Reports 2018 is available online.

 A prayer for General Assembly 

God, beyond the limits of our language or imagination,

yet made known to us in the carpenter of Nazareth,

we give thanks for General Assembly 

as an opportunity to be built up in faith and in following;

by the work of the Holy Spirit,

may it be a Council of the Church which enables us

to walk the Way that leads to you,

to discern the Truth that reveals you,

and to live the Life that proclaims you

for the blessing of the world

to which you came and to which you call us to go;

through Jesus Christ, Amen

_{Prayer: The Revd Nigel Uden}

_{Picture: Mike Colechin}