Day One – Tuesday 7 November 2017 Session one:

Opening Worship 

As always Mission Council opened with a service of worship, led by the Revd Kevin Watson, moderator. The service included the induction of the Revd Philip Brooks as Secretary for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations and commissioning of Dr Sam Richards as Head of Children’s and Youth Work Development. During this service, both made the same promises to serve the United Reformed Church faithfully and drawing on the Holy Spirit.  After the commissioning Sam and Philip were warmly greeted by John Proctor, General Secretary of the URC, Rachel Lampard, immediate past vice president of the Methodist Church and Dan Morrell, moderator of the URC’s Youth Assembly.  

Jake Lloyd, a Manchester-based communications coordinator for the global Arukah Network, shares how his participation on a Training for Learning and Serving (TLS) course had far reaching benefits in Sierra Leone. 

‘How much Biblical Hebrew do you know? I don't know much, but I do have a favourite word ‘Arukah’. Arukah appears a few times in the Old Testament, notably in Nehemiah, where it describes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. But Arukah’s true meaning is not contained in bricks and mortar – it is much bigger than that. Arukah means wholeness, restoration and health. It is spiritual as much as civic, and lots more besides.

Calling all young people in Year 10/S3 to aged 25! Grab your place at the URC Youth Assembly, taking place from 19 to 21 January 2018 at Whitemoor Lakes, Alrewas, Staffordshire. 

A great weekend is planned and offers the opportunity to focus on Jesus, share in community with other young people, and explore what it means to be Church together. 

Activities include workshops, Bible studies, creative sessions, worship and prayer, movies and entertainment. 

Encouraging young people to get involved, Dan Morrell, Youth Assembly Moderator, said: ‘I was very shy and quite when I first attended Youth Assembly (YA). I used to only go to church just because my parents went. But I got involved with the Youth Assembly and over the years it has given me my own sense of purpose for going to church and for devoting myself to Jesus, and set me well on my faith journey with God. It has also enabled me to share this with others and be a support to them. Through YA, I have made lifelong friends, many of whom continue to be an inspiration for how I live my life. Now, as I conclude my term as Moderator, having been through high school, (nearly all of) university and four years on URC Youth Executive, I am happy to say I am a very nearly qualified commercial pilot. I’m excited to see what my remaining years as a ‘youth’ have in store, and what God has in store for me too, I’m still trying to discern a call to ministry. But one thing I do know is, I cannot recommend attending YA enough.’

Moderator elect, Hannah Jones, who will be inducted into the role at the January gathering, added: ‘I love all that URCYA has to offer. There is so much on offer this year, a great range of sessions, the opportunity to form new friendships, shared worship, there’s even an escape room for some added fun. There’s something, if not a lot of things, for everyone! I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on being a part of this, so sign up now!’

Synods have agreed to fund a significant number of places. To find out if that could benefit you contact Heather Wilkinson in the Children’s and Youth office on 02079168683.

We will also be happy to help if you or your group need a leader to accompany you. The earlybird rate of £110 is available before 9 November. Places will then cost £140 and must be booked by 1 January 2018. Bookings can be made online. 

The United Reformed Church’s Mission Council is next meeting at The Hayes Conference Centre, in Swanwick, Derbyshire from 7 to 9 November.

Mission Council is the executive body of the General Assembly, and meets twice a year to reflect on and make decisions about the day-to-day life of the Church. Items on the agenda for this meeting include a debate and decision on lay training plans and resources, new flexibility around ministry, and the future of General Assembly. All Mission Council papers are now available online.