There was relief and joy on the Isle of Man, as St Andrew’s United Reformed Church (URC) – along with other congregations linked to Churches Alive in Mann – resumed services, 38 days after the island’s last Covid-19 case.

The Revd John Reardon, a former United Reformed Church (URC) Deputy General Secretary, has completed a sponsored walk of 88 miles in one month in his 88th year, raising more than £2,700 in the process.

John, who is a member of Newport Pagnell URC (NPURC), Buckinghamshire, is part of a fundraising team for the Mead Centre – a community building project aimed at creating space for people who would normally find themselves on the margins of society. The vision is for those people to come together, build relationships and find a sense of community.

The Revd Richard Church has retired, after 39 years of ministry in the United Reformed Church (URC).

Richard has served the URC as Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship) since May 2015. His last working day was on 17 July. As staff were unable to celebrate the occasion in person, a leaving party was held online, using Zoom.