Here’s a selection of news from the United Reformed Church (URC) that took place over the summer.

Church reminds community there’s always hope

St Andrew’s Church – a local ecumenical project including the URC in Skipton, North Yorkshire – installed a six-foot-high, rainbow-coloured artwork outside its building over the summer.

The Revd David Haslam, a United Reformed Church (URC) Minister and Royal Air Force Chaplain, took his work on the road over the summer, pitching his “Spiritual Place” tent at various locations.

“My concept was to take the Gospel message into the midst of people’s working environments, and to offer Christian hospitality, challenge and presence through various activities and events. It’s like a church without walls, like the journeying people of God under Moses’ leadership. Have tent – will travel,” David said.

The 2021 Prayer Handbook, Conversations, edited by Karen Campbell and Ian Fosten, is now available from the URC Bookshop.

This year, the prayer handbook includes new sets of prayers in addition to the usual prayers that follow the weekly lectionary readings.

The United Reformed Church (URC) Youth has announced the cancellation of its 2021 Youth Assembly due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on behalf of URC Youth Executive, Reuben Watt, URC Youth Assembly Moderator, said it was a "difficult decision to make": “It certainly wasn’t taken lightly. Youth Assembly means just as much to us as the Youth Executive as it does to the URC’s young members.