The United Reformed Church

If you would like to use the text of these prayers in other documents, please use the open document text (odt) formatted version below:

• Week 1 – 3 December
• Week 2 – 10 December
• Week 3 – 17 December
• Week 4 – 24 December
• Week 5 – Christmas Day
• Week 6 – Epiphany

If you would like to use the text of these prayers in other documents, please use the open document text (odt) formatted version below:

• 4 September A prayer to introduce Walking the Way
• 11 September A prayer for those working in rural communities and agriculture
• 18 September A prayer for those working in hospitals and social care
• 25 September A prayer for those working with homeless or unemployed people
• 2 October A prayer for those working with manual, retail and catering and hospitality workers
• 9 October A prayer for those working in race and interfaith relations
• 16 October A prayer for the challenge of extremism and our response to it
• 23 October A prayer for those working in the emergency services
• 30 October A prayer for strengthening relationships
• 6 November A prayer for those working to build tolerant and loving communities
• 13 November A prayer for homemakers, carers and retired people, and those working with them
• 20 November A prayer for those working in and with the financial and IT sectors
• 27 November A prayer for those working in and with government, the law and civic authorities

These Advent-to-Epiphany liturgies for Walking the Way; Living the life of Jesus today honour tradition and reflect the concept of a journeying, growing, faith. They start from the first Sunday in Advent, move us through Christmas, and, as a further indication of journeying, complete in Epiphany.

The liturgies are short, use colour, and are led by a variety of people in the congregation. The weekly pattern is:

• lighting of a candle (one additional candle each week)
• a verse of Scripture (taken from the Contemporary English Version)
• a short comment, with a question for the congregation (or group) and time for reflection and answers
• a prayer with responses.

The liturgies may fit anywhere in a worship service, and will also work well as in discussion groups and meetings. 

 (Note: these candle colours are only a suggestion, based on the colours of the Walking the Way branding, and moving from darkness to light.)

Walking to Christmas

Walking the way and living the life of Jesus in Advent is a journey towards, and beyond, the celebration of the incarnation, releasing boundless hope, peace, love and joy into the world.  As we follow a well-known candle-lighting ritual, let us ask questions for today – how can we walk in hope or peace or love or joy in everyday life? 

If you would like to use the text of these prayers in other documents, please click here.

The URC Holy Habits short films

Directed by Kevin Snyman, Mission Enabler in the URC's West Midlands Synod, these short films offer a brief glimpse into some of the ways which the ten habits from Andrew Roberts' book are lived out wihtin the URC. Released at a rate of one per month through late 2017 into early 2018, you can view the series, as the videos become available, on YouTube (click the three lines in the top left hand corner of the video to view a list of the others):

 Or contact us if you need a copy of any of the films.

Voices to hear

This selection of vox pop interviews poses two questions: ‘What would you expect to see in the life of someone who says they are a Christian?’ and ‘What do you think churches are for?’ We see a variety of people expressing very different views and expectations. The video can help local discussions on wide-ranging topics, such as the nature of welcome, behaviour, and spirituality.

It can be used in many ways, including:

• small groups who are looking quite specifically about focus for Walking the Way
• church meetings to consider how to take the next steps as a group
• worship, perhaps in discussion as well as in prayers.

Click here to download the film.

© The United Reformed Church. This films may be used freely in church gatherings, including in small groups and whole congregations.  The use of any of the film for commercial gain and/or for use outside a local church is prohibited without written permission.  For such permissions please email communications.pa@urc.org.uk

Walking with Trippy

This light-hearted cartoon was produced early in Walking the Way's life as an introduction to the emphasis on living the life of Jesus today for those of us who perhaps haven't considered the presence of God in the whole of life before. Its humour may not be suitable for all settings, but its message is clearly about God's call to absolutely everyone, in all times, situations and places, to Walk the Way of Jesus together.

Click here to download the film.

© The United Reformed Church. This films may be used freely in church gatherings, including in small groups and whole congregations.  The use of any of the film for commercial gain and/or for use outside a local church is prohibited without written permission.  For such permissions please email communications.pa@urc.org.uk