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’:

Christ Church Rayleigh United Reformed Church, in Essex, plans to bring a Latin American tradition to its community this Christmas. “We have several things planned for Christmas that the coronavirus can’t spoil!” said their Minister, the Revd Naomi Young-Rodas, before explaining.

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.

A new interim, Assistant General Secretary has been appointed to serve the United Reformed Church (URC) for seven months.

The Revd Adrian Bulley, Synod Clerk for the URC National Synod of Wales and Convenor of the URC Business Committee, is being seconded from 1 January-31 July 2021. He will take on some of the duties carried out under the office of the Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship) on a part-time basis.