View this email in your browser
Welcome to our February 2022 Newsletter
Croeso i'n Cylchlythyr Chwefror 2022
URC at 50: Worship Resources Competition
Calling all choirs, bands, songwriters, composers and poets! Can you write a worship song, rap or poem to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the URC? Winning entries will be shared at General Assembly in July and made available for churches to use in their Jubilee services. For more details, click here.
Annual Church Returns go online
Churches can submit their Annual Church Returns (ACR) through a new website in 2022. Church House will receive the online ACR and share the information with Synods. Churches have received their login details - for more information, please contact Joel Sainsbury
Children's and Youth Work Update
The latest Children's and Youth Work newsletter is available with news of events, resources and competitions. If you would like to receive the bi-monthly newsletter direct to your inbox, sign up here. There is also updated safeguarding guidance for church activities, such as youth groups, held in private homes.
Safer for All
In 2022 safeguarding training offered by the Synod is being refreshed and updated. Click here to find out more about our Intermediate training course with three online 90-minute modules, focussing on safer people, safer places and safeguarding awareness.
Refreshing Your Ministry
The next 'Refreshing Your Ministry' session from GEAR is on Zoom on Thursday 10 February, 2pm to 3.30pm. It will be led by John Proctor, former URC General Secretary, with the title: 'Holy Week in Luke's Gospel - Jesus in grief, Jesus as guide, Jesus as giver'. All active and retired ministers, CRCWS, local leaders and lay preachers are welcome, and it's completely free. Please contact Richard Bradley for the Zoom details.
Ministries Enquirers' Event
Online on Saturday 12 February, 10am to 3pm, to help you think about God's call to Worship Leading, Lay Preaching, Ministry with children and young people, the Ministry of Word and Sacraments or Church Related Community Work. Register with ministries@urc.org.uk to receive Zoom details.
Big Day Out 2022
Save the date for our Big Day Out on Saturday 25 June at the Royal Welsh Showground - a free festival in a day! This page on the Synod website will be updated with all the latest details. You can also download posters and a digital flyer from the website if you would like to share the information with your church.
Faith in the Future - Church Buildings seminars
The National Churches Trust and the Welsh Places of Worship Forum is organising three free online seminars in February and March about engaging communities, raising funds and responding to climate change. For more information and to register, click here
CTBI Lent Study - St Winifred / Sante Gwenffrewi
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have prepared free Lent study resources about St Winifred / Sante Gwenfrrewi, linking with a 70-mile pilgrimage from Holywell to Shrewsbury in April and May. Find out more and download the resources here (available in English and Welsh). 
Caring for God's Acre Conference
Join Caring for God's Acre for an inspiring day discovering how to transform burial grounds into havens for people, wildlife and heritage on Tuesday 15 March in Sheffield. Tickets are only £15 per person including lunch and refreshments. For more information and to book, click here
Rural Ministry Course
The Arthur Rank Centre is running its popular Rural Ministry Course from Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 June in Northampton. Designed for lay and church leaders, the course includes workshops, practical sessions and group work. Fees are £300 per delegate. For more information and to book, click here
Send a Postcard to Celebrate the URC at 50
Everyone's invited to send a postcard for display at the Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving on 1 October. On a blank postcard, draw or write your thanksgiving to God for an aspect of the URC. On the other side, write whatever you feel comfortable to share of your name, age, location and URC connection. Please send completed cards to Sam Richards, Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RT by Monday 1 August.
Public Issues Calendar for 2022
Find key dates for 2022, including special Sundays, to mark justice and peace - from the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January to International Migrants Day in December. The calendar is provided by JPIT (Joint Public Issues Team) and is free to access here.
Praying Together
New for 2022 is new Praying Together! For some years, the e-newsletter included a list of places and churches to aid our prayer life. We are trying out a different prayer resource that can be used individually or in group/church worship and is available to download here.
The deadline for the next edition is Tuesday 22 February
Please email contributions to Claire at newsletter.urcwales@urc.org.uk

New subscribers are welcome to sign up here
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Website
Email
Copyright © 2022 United Reformed Church National Synod of Wales, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp