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Opening Reflection by David Greatorex, East Midlands Synod Treasurer

Help is at Hand

As I write this I’m bombarded with emails and TV news stories about money. Most recently the budget and change in the Bank Rate. I’m feeling I need some ‘HELP’!

Let’s look at a few items that are available for us all, as I’m sure we will all be affected in some way by these recent changes. But are we ready for the changes - and how they have the potential for changing budgets at church and in our private lives?

Some changes are set for future dates, others are much more ‘immediate’ so we have to be prepared to adapt to the circumstances given to us.

Fortunately there is help available. Some examples are readily available, others might require some research and action on our part, and examples go beyond just looking at 'the budget’, although may inform it.

The recently introduced ’Synod Team on Tour’ sessions are a space to allow discussions and help with planning in many areas of church life. Additionally, some staff team members have set up online sessions where questions can be asked and potential solutions considered. It is planned these will be continued and expanded in 2025.

However, help is available beyond these sessions by visiting the Synod website [new and updated] where numerous resources are available: www.urc5.org.uk . There can be found links to helpful information and who to contact if discussions are necessary.

The site is being developed so if you feel something is ‘missing’ that may be of help, please contact us. https://www.urc5.org.uk/contact .

Some points to note:
- We heard about ‘Talking Faith’ at our recent Synod Meeting. The national URC website now hosts resources that may help, at: https://urc.org.uk/your-faith/evangelism-in-the-urc/ .

- Increases have been made in the Living Wage Foundation's [LWF] indicative basic hourly rate: see www.livingwage.org.uk . The Government living wage is lower than that of LWF.

- Some churches employ people and the change in employer National Insurance contributions could see increased costs.

- The auditors used by the Synod Trust have produced a summary of the recent budget, found on their website at https://www.uhy-uk.com/insights/our-full-summary-autumn-budget-2024

- A helpful resource on Stewardship in the URC is TRIO [The Responsibility is Ours]. You can access TRIO online, or paper versions are available from the Synod Office. Several churches have used this to positive effect in recent years - including the church I attend, and the one where the Moderator had his most recent ministry.

Please don’t be ’shy’ - ask and we will attempt to HELP!

Some recent reading and meetings have caused me to reflect on the Synod's way of sharing resources, particularly in Resource Areas and Area Partnerships. The basic structure for this is sound but it needs constant review to meet changing circumstances within the Area - and also those ‘imposed’ from wider external sources.

So, as Advent approaches let us remind ourselves of The Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy - these are helpful and relevant.

Synod Meeting Embarks on Talking Faith

At its 105^th Meeting, held at Abbots Road URC in Leicester on Saturday 12 October 2024, the East Midlands Synod introduced the theme which will be a key focus for the next two years and more: Talking Faith.

Moderator, Clerk and Administrator — L-R Synod Clerk **Dr Graham Jennings**, Moderator **The Revd Geoffrey Clarke** and Administrator **Chris Willis**

In his Opening Worship, The Revd Martin Ferris urged Synod members to “recalibrate our focus on Christ” and his commandment to make disciples. Giving a welcome on behalf of Abbots Road, elders Paul and Alison Hadley outlined its “Mission Possible”, whose transforming spirit is bringing the church new attenders.

Mission Development Officer Tom Donoghue introduced the focus of Talking Faith. Running across all Five Marks of Mission, but especially “Tell”, its aim is to encourage churches to be more intentional in inviting others, but above all to make members more confident in expressing their faith in natural, authentic conversation. In a recorded video, Tom interviewed Mersey Synod’s Missional Discipleship Enabler The Revd Stuart Radcliffe about how Merseyside churches have embraced a similar challenge. This two-year focus will begin in earnest with a period of prayer beginning at the March 2025 Synod and a likely launch event after Easter.

Moderator and David Howlett — *The Moderator presents **The Revd David Howlett** (L) with a certificate marking 50 years of ministry*

ministers with certificates — Ministers receiving certificates of long service. Front row (L-R): CRCW **Daphne Beale** with **Dorothy Russell**, receiving the certificate on behalf of **The Revd Brian Russell**, and **The Revds David Howlett, Chris Ford, Sally Martin, Clare Davison, Robert Bushby, Sue Powell** and **Nigel Adkinson**. Back row: Moderator **The Revd Geoffrey Clarke** with **The Revd Dr Mark Houghton**, **Revd Dr Bachelard Kaze Yemtsa** and **Revd Phil Wall**.

Synod also took time to present certificates to:

Ministers who had reached milestone anniversaries of their Ordinations;
Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers, recognising their long service for the first time;
those who have completed the Stepwise streams Faith Filled Life and Faith Filled Worship this year, some of whom are also now training as worship leaders. A new video promoted all that Stepwise offers, including forthcoming streams on the Environment and Conversations (Talking Faith).

people holding certificates — L-R: Lay Preaching Commissioner **Mark Hodgson** and Moderator **The Revd Geoffrey Clarke** marked the service of Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers **Eric Hanson**, **Margaret Hooper**, **Lindsey Cole** (represented by The Revd Helen Wakefield-Carr) and Eileen Williams.

Numerous other items featured in the day’s business:

Young people from around the Synod took part in a parallel Youth Event led by Children & Youth Development Officer Richard Knott.
It was decided to return to holding all Synod Meetings in person; members resolved that this would now include the March 2025 meeting but asked Synod Officers to consider what might be done to improve inclusivity and representation at Synod Meetings.
The Synod Energy Fund was repurposed to support local churches in improving energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprints.
New processes were agreed to consider support for Resource Areas should the closure of a local church cause them financial difficulties.
Cath Sterndale of Buxton URC shared the good news story of its Waste Not Want Not project, which in four years has distributed many thousands of pounds’ worth of donated and rescued food to meet local need.
Amid group reports, Racial Justice Advocates The Revds Andrew Mudharara and Samuel Silungwe summarised the URC’s work toward becoming an anti-racist church.
Synod enjoyed reflections on this year’s General Assembly from two of its representatives, The Revd Jane Wade and Catriona Wheeler, elder at Trinity URC, Leicester – not least Catriona’s election to serve as Moderator of General Assembly from July 2025! Jane, who will serve as her chaplain, also mentioned this year’s resolutions about safer recruitment, Israel/Palestine and Myanmar.

Racial Justice Advocates **The Revd Andrew Mudharara** (L) and **Samuel Silungwe**

Presiding at the closing Communion, Synod Moderator The Revd Geoffrey Clarke reflected on a passage from Luke’s gospel. Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth, he said, gives an illustration of how we too can be “Christ bearers”, embodying faith to those we encounter – becoming the means by which they can be “surprised by grace”, as they glimpse the love of God brimming over in all that we say, all that we do and all that we are.

Moderator at closing worship — *The Revd Geoffrey Clarke presides at Communion, with **The Revd Jane Wade** (L) and **Catriona Wheeler**, Moderator Elect of General Assembly.*

Synod will reconvene on Saturday 15 March 2025 – venue to be confirmed.

URC Spirituality

Advent

The weather is definitely autumnal with seasonal mists and mellow fruitfulness. The trees are displaying their autumn glory and beginning to let go of their leaves. It is a reminder to us that it is a time to let go, to pause and reflect and look forward to the new year to come. The rhythm of the Christian year encourages us to do the same as we move into Advent. Here are some dates for your diary to take the opportunity to pause and reflect on the gifts of the season.

Labyrinth and Lunch

On Friday 29 November from 12-2pm at my home in Heckington Fen you are warmly invited to learn about labyrinths, experience walking the labyrinth (or using a finger labyrinth if the weather is not favourable), reflect on the season of Advent and share fellowship over a simple lunch.

There is a small charge to cover the cost of the lunch. Spaces are limited. Please contact me on janeweedon210@gmail.com for further information.

URC Spirituality are offering a week of reflections at the beginning of Advent.

When? Tuesday 3 December to Saturday 7 December

What ? There will be three opportunities each day to join with others on Zoom to reflect on the

gifts of Advent; Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Time ? 7.30 - 8am Scripture from the lectionary for the day and silent reflection

12 - 1pm A scripture passage, brief reflection , mainly silence

7 - 8pm A repeat of the scripture passage, a reflection and time to share together.

The sessions will be hosted by various members of the Spirituality Core Group.

Looking forward to Epiphany 2025

Beginning 6 January - 10 January, every evening from 7.30 - 9pm, we will be Reflecting on Epiphany with opportunities to listen, reflect and share in the conversation.

Resources

If you want inspiration for Advent prayer activities, prayer stations etc there are a number of free resources on the 24/7 Prayer web site. Please copy and paste the following link.

https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/advent-prayer/?utm_source=weekly-emails&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-emails&utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=weekly-emails&utm_content=weekly+email+07.05.2023+11:28:48

If you have events or resources, you would like to share please send them to me and I will include them here.

Jane Weedon

Reflection

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