EMURCE-LETTER 265 - 29TH MARCH 2018

• We would like to thank Mr Tony Blow, a Member of Stamford URC, for his 59 years of service as a Locally Recognised Lay Preacher , as he retires on Easter Sunday, when he will conduct Stamford’s Easter Morning Worship and Communion Service as his final service. Tony has given extremely long and loyal Service to the U R C  as a Lay Preacher  ( together with other positions )at Churches in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and adjoining Counties and his work in this respect will be very much missed and is much appreciated . Stamford URC will mark Tony's retirement at this Service.
• We regret to inform you of the death of the Revd Margery Woodland. Margery was ordained in 1984 and served at Wilton and the Wyle Valley in Wiltshire from 1984-1994 when she retired and moved to mid-Wales where she became a member, and later an Elder, of Trinity Church, Llanidloes.  A Service of Thanksgiving for her life was held on Thursday 22nd March in Trinity Church, Llanidloes.

MESSY CHURCH RESEARCH – CHURCH ARMY

We'd love YOU to be involved in helping us investigate how people of all ages can become disciples of Jesus through Messy Churches.
Church Army's Research Unit have already interviewed nearly 200 Messy Church leaders to capture their insights, and we're now planning some less traditional Messy-appropriate methods!

A free fun Messy day for leaders of Messy Churches, children and their parents or carers led by our research team.
We're inviting you to join us on Saturday 28th April, at the Wilson Carlisle Centre... in Sheffield, from 10am to 2.30pm for a Messy Saturday complete with crafts, activities, worship, hot dogs and ice cream! While you play and create we'll ask you some questions.
Will you help us by coming along? Let us know by emailing ask@churcharmy.org or phoning us on 0300 123 2113.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TENANTED PROPERTIES REGARDING ENERGY REGUALTIONS

All homes must now have an Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”).  They provide an efficiency rating from “A” being most efficient, to “G” being the least efficient. For property, an EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs as well as recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money. They are valid for 10 years, although it will need to be updated should any works be carried out that could influence a property’s energy efficiency, e.g. upgrading doors, windows and central heating systems.
You need to be aware that there will be a change in the law from 1 April 2018 affecting any properties with a low EPC rating. This is especially relevant if a manse or church property is rented out to tenant
From 1 April 2018 it will be unlawful for a landlord to grant a new tenancy (including a tenancy extension or renewal) of the property, with an EPC rating below an “E”.  A landlord with an “F” or “G” rated property will be expected to install all energy efficiency improvements prior to the property being tenanted. Where the local authority considers that a Landlord may be in breach of the new law, it may serve a compliance notice. This will inform you that you need to make changes and provide a timeframe in which they need to be completed. Where a Landlord fails to comply, this could lead to fines up to £4,000.00.

From 1 April 2020, all properties which fall into “F” or “G” ratings will need to make the improvements whether the property tenancy has changed or not prior to this date and whether the property is tenanted at the time or not."

BELIEF SPRING COURSE 2018 - SHAPING THE WORLD TODAY

We have secured some fantastic speakers and are very excited about this course.

The course details are:

Wednesdays from 25th April 2018  to 16th May 2018

• 25th April 2018 – Sexualisation of Society “Living as a Christian in a Sexualised Society – Canon Reg Bailey, Independent Reviewer for Government of the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood.
• 2nd May 2018 - Media – Cathy Le Feuvre, author/writer, media consultant and trainer.
• 9th May 2018 – Religion & the modern world – Dr Nick Wood, Dean, Director of the Centre for Christianity and Culture.
• 16th May 2018 – Extremism – Canon Peter Adams, Director, St Marys Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.  Consultant and Trainer in Intercultural Relations and Community Relations.

 At St Andrews Church Kimbolton Road Bedford MK40 2PF, 8pm to 9.30pm.  £5 per person, per session

There is no need to book – Just turn up on the night.

Join us for Bible Study, discussion and fellowship. Led by Revd Dr Deborah Baird on Saturday 23rd June 2018, 10.30am - 2.30pm at the Synod Meeting Room, Nottingham, NG5 3AA (Please bring your own lunch) To book contact Hannah Holmes: trainingpa@urc5.org.uk  Tel: 0115 9609241

Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, from 8^th-9^th June 2018

Sharing our God led experiences in a missional sense should inspire and encourage us. We should be challenged to view the culture and community that we are part of through God's eyes, how might that change your church mission activities? What might you be led to stop and engaged to start something new? Together, we will enjoy two days of fellowship, discussion, learning and sharing based on John’s Gospel.

We are delighted that our teaching sessions will be led by Rev Canon Dave Male who has recently been promoted to Church of England Director for Evangelism and Discipleship. He is highly respected for his expertise and is very experienced in helping churches implement missional strategies. We believe those attending will benefit greatly from his sessions. Our times of worship will be led by Sam and Sara Hargreaves of engage worship.

The conference cost is just £90 per person including accommodation on the 8th June, all meals and delegate packs. Full details of the event and booking information can be found on our website: https://www.ruralministries.org.uk

Please send any comments or feedback on this e-letter to: admin@urc5.org.uk
The URC East Midlands Synod, 1 Edwards Lane, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 3AA.
Email address for E-Letter Editor: trainingpa@urc5.org.uk Copy Date for Next E-Letter: 09.04.2018