More than 50 delegates from the United Reformed Church’s (URC) northerly Synods met in February to discuss a wide range of topics which included ‘new ways of doing church’, effective communication, and sharing good news stories.

Items on the agenda included: freeing churches for mission by freeing them from compliance burdens; a ‘northerly synod’ website to be used as a resource bank; and twinning churches from different Synods with similar contexts or mission.

Along with the Principals from the URC’s Resource Centres for Learning, delegates, moderators and clerks form the following synods attended: Mersey, North Western, Northern, Yorkshire, and the National Synod of Scotland.

The two-day event, which took place from 17-18 February at Penrith Methodist Church, was welcomed by many as an effective way of meeting counterparts in the hope of future working.

David Dick, a member of Roker URC who is heavily involved in its community work, said: “The networking has been important. We feel more connected. Collaboration and sharing best practice make sense.”

Lynne Barker, Mersey Synod’s Office Manager, added: “This level of sharing has got to change things and the cross pollination has been really helpful.”

Mersey Synod Moderator, the Revd Jacky Embrey concluded: “We hope that this meeting will bear fruit not only in collaboration on areas as diverse as finance and pioneering, but also in pursuing fresh approaches to supporting our churches.”

_{Pictures: Northerly Synods delegates.
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