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Emotional literacy in churches reopening after Covid

Catherine Kelliher — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:40:12 +0000

Emotional literacy in churches reopening after Covid

January 2022

As churches begin to meet in person and groups relaunch, people are feeling increasingly anxious about this. It is important that we help people to express how they are feeling and acknowledge those.

As children’s activities continue to open up, we need to consider the feelings of parents and children who may be extremely anxious about the additional contact in their lives after so long avoiding contact.

Try and be clear in the information you are sharing. For example, sharing what will be happening in the group via a visual timetable or explaining how you will monitor contacts and what happens if someone becomes Covid positive.

Consider how all this can affect the parents, children and young people in their emotional response, especially if they feel vulnerable and unsafe. Reassure them that your group is a safe place by making your safety measures explicit and also offering emotional support for parents and carers to talk to you about their concerns.

Active listening

Active listening is a good way to improve your communication with children and adults. It lets them know that you are interested in what they have to say.

To practice active listening:

Get down on the child’s level or sit next to the adult.
Give your full attention to the person speaking.
Make eye contact and stop other things you are doing.
Do not be afraid of times of silence, allow them space to think and speak.
Reflect or repeat back what they are saying and what they may be feeling to make sure you understand.

It can be tempting to brush off children’s problems, especially if we are busy, but it is important that the children in our groups know that we are available to listen to them and are interested in what they have to say. If it’s worrying them, then it is important.

Have an emotional check-in at the beginning of sessions or meeting, maybe even in church.

This can be done in a variety of ways:

Emotional check-in – thinking and feeling. Check-in boards and visual timetables really help children to know what is happening and to acknowledge how they feel.
Explore what the different feelings are, and how they would describe them.
Talk – take time to build relationships up and talk about how they may be feeling, especially over an activity or doing a job together side by side if they feel more comfortable that way.

Emotional literacy with the under 5s

From the time of birth, babies are getting used to the world around them and are learning to bond with and trust their main carers. Young babies smile, cry, grasp, cling, suck, make eye contact and sucking movements with their mouth, and reach out to let you know they need care and loving. They feel secure and cry less when held and cuddled. They will tell you when they need quiet time and calming by turning or looking away or when they are restless in your arms.

As a baby grows and develops, they can make connections between the look on a person’s face and the tone of their voice eg, happy face and soft tone, anxious face and sharp tone. They begin to manage their feelings by soothing themselves with thumb-sucking and other habits as well as distraction through play, as they learn their main carers may not always be instantly available. When main care givers respond quickly, consistently and sensitively, older babies learn more quickly about their feelings and how to manage them.

Toddlers can show extremes of behaviour, from independent to dependent, aggressive to calm, helpful to stubborn. These changes can happen quickly. Tantrums and other reactions to anger and frustration are common in toddlers but most respond well to comfort shown by cuddles, holding, stroking, patting, calming and gentle tones, and to being in a quiet, comforting place. Toddlers express their feelings and learn to manage their feelings through play. They are beginning to name feelings, eg, happy, sad, angry, scared and to show interest in others’ feelings.

Big emotions like frustration, anger and embarrassment can be overwhelming for very young children, they need to be reassured that it is ok to have these feelings.

Here are some ideas to help:

Help young child explore emotions through play, for example puppet play, singing, reading and messy play. Songs, games, stories and imaginative play help toddlers to know more about feelings and the feelings of others.
Talking with toddlers before difficult events such as changes or separations helps them to manage their feelings and to feel secure and comforted.
When you see a child showing a particular emotion, label it for them and talk about it. For example, ‘You have a big smile on your face. You must be happy to see me’ or ‘You’re crying. I think you’re frustrated because you can’t play with the toy’.
Use the feeling shapes to help younger children to explore emotions and what they might look like or what colour they may be.
Use a feelings book and explore what these feelings are and why we feel them. This might be a book of colours which helps you to reflect what emotion is represented in each colour.
Use emotional flash cards to explore opposite feelings.

Emotional literacy with the 5 to 11s

A child’s emotional development continues to progress once they begin school. In the primary age range, children start to understand that other people’s feelings matter too.

They will be making and choosing their own friends. It takes time for them to learn how to cooperate with each other and this can make friendships tricky. You can help them think about how they feel, and how their friend might feel too. Being a good friend and having good friends are important life skills to learn.

Primary aged children are starting to get better at managing their own emotions. They can talk more easily about how they are feeling and they are more able to take on board advice and techniques to help them.

From around age seven, memory and concentration grow. Children can think more quickly and can remember more than one thing at a time. They are enthusiastic learners and usually enjoy doing things with you. They will be developing strong opinions and will ‘argue back’ and want to do things their way!

Children in this age group can talk about how to recognise emotions in themselves and others. For example, ‘When I broke that glass, I yelled really loudly. Does that happen to you when you make a mistake and feel angry?’

Help them to work out how their body feels when they’re experiencing an emotion. For example, ‘You look nervous. Have you got butterflies in your tummy?’ Children need some simple strategies to manage their emotions. For example: ways to calm down from strong emotions like counting to 10 or taking five deep breaths.

Suggest ways to react to strong emotions – for example, clap your hands when you’re excited, ask for a hug when you’re sad, or squeeze your cushion really hard when you’re angry.

It can be hard for a child to use strategies like these when they’re very upset. They might shout, hit things or behave in other inappropriate ways instead. So, you might need to help them to calm down. When they’re calm, you can help them understand that strong emotions are OK, but bad behaviour isn’t.

Do an emotions activity such as choosing an emotion like ‘excited’ and acting it out. You can turn this activity into a simple guessing game.
Do some story play work to create stories and explore the feelings in them.
Use Duplo, Lego or Emotiblocks to explore all their feelings.
Use an emotions dice to mark how they are feeling today.
Use Lego as a way of talking to children and giving them space to just play. You can use other creative items such as play dough or collage making. Be aware of the conversations during activities you are doing as part of the session and alert to anything that may need following up. Use this time to really explore the feeling a child may be experiencing.
Use an emotions check-in board so they can begin to recognise and share how they are feeling.

Emotional literacy with 11+

Puberty is a time when young people move through a series of significant and healthy changes and usually begins to take affect from the age of 10/11 years. During this transition from childhood through adolescence to adulthood, physical, emotional and social changes take place. It is normal for young people to experience intense and overwhelming emotions at this time. Moods can become extreme and unpredictable as young people attempt to navigate their world and work out their own identity and place within it.

It is important to have a basic understanding of the development of the adolescent brain. Although teenagers are likely to look like adults, physically the teenage brain is not as developed as an adult brain. This continued brain development combined with the hormonal changes that teenagers experience at this stage means that adolescents may have trouble with controlling and expressing their emotions. In fact, research shows that the part of the brain responsible for managing emotions and making rational decisions continues to develop until way into the mid-20s!

This can help explain why young people at times seem to act without thinking (they aren’t!).

Ask them how they are feeling on a scale of 1-10.
Use conversations cubes which will initiate a discussion based on the feeling or the scenario on the cube.
Using Lego or something else to fiddle with, just give the young people space to just be. This gives you an opportunity to build relationships and explore how they are doing. You can use any creative activity which requires time and concentration to make that time and space to just be.
Maybe write some feelings on Jenga blocks and, as they are pulled out of a tower, explore what that feeling might look like for the young people.
Provide outlets for young people to relieve stress. Examples include exercising (hiking, kickboxing, etc), cooking and baking. Encouraging new hobbies such as journal writing, scrapbooking or pursing an interest can help to clear the mind and offer a new challenge to engage with.
One-to-one conversations – the best conversations often happen in the most unexpected and natural ways. For example, doing a job together like tidying, putting chairs and tables away, making tea and coffee. It can be helpful to ask open-ended but specific questions to start a conversation, such as ‘what have you enjoyed about the session/service/our time together today?’ or even ‘what have you not enjoyed about it?’ This way you are asking for a personal response but you are not putting the young person in a vulnerable position by simply asking ‘how are you feeling?’ which they may not know anyway!
Recognising something more serious. When a young person’s emotions or mood is consistently affecting their ability to engage in daily life this could be a sign of a mental health illness. Seek further advice at this stage.
Use questions within a group or just as a conversation starter

Intergenerational day

Spend a morning as a whole church exploring emotions over a brunch or breakfast.

Scrapbook these conversations or put together a collage of images about the different feelings. You could use this to work through and discuss the emotions, asking questions like ‘What does happy feel like? What does confused feel like?’

Make and use a Blob Tree to explore where you feel you are in the group and what emotions that brings up for you. Or have some table talk cards out for people to talk about over a meal or coffee for wellbeing.

Follow up this day by having emotional check-in as people come to church, so that that whole congregation are recognising their feelings as they come into the church building. This could be something as simple as putting a removable sticker at a particular feeling on a check-in board. Don’t be afraid to ask people about how they’re feeling – this way the whole church can know that it’s OK to share your true feelings with others.

Resources you could use

The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
Find Out About: Feelings: A lift-the-flap board book of emotions by Louise Forshaw
for wellbeing
is based on research into what makes some people more resilient than others. Follow their guidance for building the emotional resilience and wellbeing of children, adolescents and adults.
The (Supporting parents and children emotionally) provides information about children’s and adult’s emotional behaviour using trauma awareness
Action for Children – The Blues Programme gives young people the tools to look after their emotional wellbeing. For young people aged 13-19

Download this guidance

Emotional literacy in churches reopening after Covid (PDF | 647kb)

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Royal helps with vaccine effort at Woking United Reformed Church

Ann-Marie Nye — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:39:53 +0000

HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visited a vaccination centre being hosted at Woking United Reformed Church (URC) and run by FastHeal Pharmacy on 20 January.

The Countess undertook the royal visit in her role as Grand President of St John Ambulance, and chatted and worked alongside staff and volunteers from the church and vaccination centre.

More than 60,000 vaccinations have been administered at Woking URC since the vaccination centre moved into the premises in September. Over 300 volunteers from the local area have been involved in helping to run the centre, which is managed by Tahir Hussain of FastHeal Pharmacy.

Revd Lucy Brierley, Minister of the church, said: “We were delighted to receive the Countess of Wessex. The vaccination centre, run by Tahir and his team, has made an indispensable contribution to ensuring Woking remains healthy against Covid over the last five months. Being visited by the Countess was a real boost.”

During her tour, the Countess spent time in the sanctuary of the church, helping to check in those arriving for jabs alongside volunteers from St John Ambulance and other centre staff, as well as sharing a cup of tea with staff and volunteers in the church’s reception area. The Countess also received a bunch of flowers to mark her birthday, which was being celebrated on the same day, with Revd Lucy Brierley leading those present in an impromptu chorus of “Happy birthday to you”.

Tahir Hussain, superintendent of FastHeal Pharmacy said: “We are delighted and amazed at being able to deliver such an important service for the community. At one stage we were the busiest vaccine site of the whole of Surrey. We wouldn’t have been able to run effectively without my team at FastHeal Pharmacy, the lovely stewards and volunteers, and the team at Woking United Reformed Church for providing their lovely venue and support. We have built an amazing relationship which shows a great community spirit that is rare to see in this day and age!”

Commenting on the impact of the centre being run in the church, Revd Lucy Brierley said: “We believe Christian faith isn’t just about believing��in Jesus but also��doing��good in in his name. Hosting such a busy vaccination centre in the church building has certainly been a logistical challenge, but we’ve been delighted to help to shine a light in our local area. I also love the fact that we are doing this in partnership with people from across the faith spectrum, and volunteers from all walks of life.”

The FastHeal Pharmacy vaccination centre is open Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat 9am-5pm at Woking United Reformed Church, White Rose Lane, GU22 7HA.

Image: Daniel Lewis

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Catch a glimpse of God’s light this Christmas

Catherine Kelliher — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 15:31:05 +0000

Catch a glimpse of God’s light this Christmas

The Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, compares the change in Mary and Joseph’s plan for their firstborn to the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic, and God’s presence through it all in this reflection for Christmas day.

“What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it”. (John 3b-5)

How are your Christmas plans faring, I wonder? How did the plans of Mary and Joseph for the birth of their firstborn fare, I wonder? Whilst our Prime Minister has locked us down, the Emperor Augustus sent everyone out on the road.

As modern human beings, we love to feel in control. We have pushed death to the margins of life. Scientific endeavour leads us to believe there is a solution to every problem and a cure for every ill. We plan strategically and assess our risk. A tiny virus turned the world upside down.

2020 has been a dark year. We have mourned, lost loved ones, and been physically distanced from our own flesh and blood. For some, we have gone nowhere whilst being rushed off our feet. For others we have sat. And sat. And sat. And the doorbell has not rung. Human ingenuity has flourished. Life, love and hope have moved online in ways we’d never imagined. Culture has found new outlets, and scientists have become celebrities. Yet we know we have been living a half-life. The wave and the smile at the camera are not a hug from a loved one. The hug some long for will never caress them again.

As I write, news is landing of borders closing to stop the mutant Coronavirus spreading from our shores. In a matter of days, European free movement as we have known it comes to an end. We are boxed in. Shut up. And stare into a zoom lens wearing our ‘this is normal really’ expression.

The world is radically different from that in which Mary and Joseph trekked to Bethlehem. Radically the same, too. Viruses, and rulers, and powers and dominions beyond our imagining, wreak havoc upon our delusions of control. Into this world God came. Barriers and borders were broken down. Heaven and earth combined, and God and humanity were united in flesh and blood. God did not zoom in from afar, withholding physical presence to mitigate the risk. A certain risk that would lead to the cross.

God did not come into our midst in flesh and blood to sit with us in the darkness. Though God does that. God came into the darkness to transform it. The other side of Christmas lies Easter. Death transformed. Life renewed. Human powers subverted. Light overwhelming darkness. The feast of Christmas celebrates the flesh and blood coming of God in our midst to effect that transformation. It catches us up into the life and light that is for all peoples. ��I pray that in this Christmas of darkness you will catch a glimpse of that light, and bear that light, such that it might indeed be life and light for all.

_{Published: 21 December 2020}

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Virtual funerals – liturgies and words for our digital world

Catherine Kelliher — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 14:52:33 +0000

Virtual funerals – liturgies and words for our digital world

A compilation of resources that ministers and worship leaders may find helpful in a wide range of pastoral situations.

How this guide can help

This is not intended to be a definitive collection of resources, but will hopefully give you a starting place with words and ideas that could be useful for you, or to pass on to family members. Please tailor to the needs of your situation.

The guide is split into six helpful parts:

1��Liturgical resources for worship leaders to use

1.1��For use by family and friends in their own homes

1.2��Liturgy to be led by a worship leader online or over the phone

2��Useful advice to be passed on to relatives

3��Prayers and Poems for worship leaders which can also be passed on to relatives and friends to say on their own at home

4��Other sources of information that may be useful in thinking about the wider implications of the Covid-19 pandemic

5��What people have done, three short services and a reflection following a virtual funeral

6��Useful links

Download this guidance

Virtual funerals – liturgies and words for our digital world (PDF | 3mb)

April 2020

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Children & Youth work grants

Catherine Kelliher — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 18:14:44 +0000

Children & Youth work grants

Our small grants fund is one way that the Children’s and Youth Work Committee supports activities and experiences for children and youth as well as the training of existing and potential children and youth workers.

This year, to help churches resume or start up activities for children, a grant of either £50 or £100 is also available to support churches running holiday clubs.

The Children’s and Youth Work Committee is there to support children and youth activities and the training of existing and potential children and youth workers. This grant can support an individual’s participation in an activity.

Grants can be made towards the cost of attendance, required materials and/or travel. The type of activities which might warrant support include:

Attendance at children’s or URC youth activity at local church, Synod or Assembly level;
Training events for existing or potential children and/or youth workers involved in either running or development of children and youth work activities within the United Reformed Church or ecumenically;
Participation in URC International exchanges, visits, etc or other activities for the development of the individual;
A child or young person attending events which will help them grow in their Christian faith.

The Children’s and Youth Work Committee may not be able to fund all requests and thus cannot guarantee that every request will be successful. Applications will be looked at more favourably if the applicant has done some fundraising and/or received some other funding towards the cost of the trip (ie from the local church, Synod, local community).

The Children’s and Youth Work Committee will also not award to the same person two years running and priority would be given to a person that has not received before.

We would normally give up to 50% of the overall cost and up to:

£200 for an activity in the UK;
£350 for an activity in the European Region;
£500 for an activity in the rest of the world.

but it may be less than this depending on the overall costs.

No more than��£500��per person will be awarded to an individual for any one grant. Individual applications from members of the same group will be considered as a group application (e.g. a group of young people from one local church attending an event together) and should be submitted using the group application form.

Applicants for this grant must be associated with a United Reformed Church and have the backing of their church leadership. We request a referee to support your application. Please allow sufficient time for us to contact your referee before your claim is considered. With this in mind, please apply at least six weeks�� before the event.

If you are successful, following your attendance at the event we request that you submit a report, which could be written and illustrated with photographs or PowerPoint presentation or in some other media, to the Children’s and Youth Work Office which may be published on the website.

Individuals may also apply through their synods for a discipleship development grant of up to £200 for training and opportunities that meet the discipleship development criteria. Please contact your synod CYW representative for more details.

Application forms

Application form for individuals (PDF | 187kb)
Support reference form (individual applications) (PDF | 132kb)

If you open these with Adobe Reader rather than in your web browser, you can fill them in, save them and email them back to us without needing to print, scan or post them.

The new discipleship-based small grant fund for Children’s and Youth Work is part of the Discipleship Development Fund which is intended to contribute to the development of lay people of all ages . This means the purposes for which it can be used are as broad as can be generated by creativity and vocation, in line with the aims of the URC’s Discipleship Development Strategy (DDS), which are to equip the people of the United Reformed Church to:

Create opportunities for everyone to encounter the living God, whether they already identify themselves as followers of Christ or not
Encourage everyone in their prayer life and relationship with God to enable them to live as disciples of Jesus
Encourage everyone to make the most of education opportunities that are relevant and appropriate for them in their discipleship journey (eg events, conferences, courses, resources).

These awards are fundamentally aimed at Lay Discipleship Development and not intended to have mission as their main focus and priority. Groups and can apply for a Mission Enabling grant of up to £1000 (or £6,000 over 3 years) /your-church/mission-enabling-fund/ or can contact children.youth@urc.org.uk to enquire about other sources of funding for small-scale mission-focussed projects and activities.

The groups small grants fund would normally give up to 50% of the overall cost and up to:

£350��for a group activity in the UK;
£500��for a group activity in the European Region;
£1000��for a group activity in the rest of the world.

Applicants for this grant must be associated with a United Reformed Church and have the backing of their church leadership. You will see on the application form that we request a referee to support your application. Please allow sufficient time for us to contact your referee before your claim is considered. With this in mind, please apply at least six weeks and no less before the event

��

Application form for groups�� (PDF | 175kb)
Support reference form (all group applications) (PDF | 132kb)

A note on completing the application forms

If you open these with Adobe Reader rather than in your web browser, you can fill them in, save them and email them back to us without needing to print, scan or post them.

To support churches in running holiday clubs, the Children’s and Youth Work committee offer a grant of either £50 or £100 towards the costs of resources, snacks, decorations, equipment etc. Those who receive a grant will be asked to report back with a story about their holiday club and, where possible, photographs which can be shared more widely to encourage others. Please note that this grant cannot be applied for over more than three consecutive years or more than once within the same year.

Application form for Holiday Club grant of £50 or £100 (PDF|158kb)

A note on completing the application form

If you open the form with Adobe Reader rather than in your web browser, you can fill them in, save it and email it back to us without needing to print, scan or post them.

CYWC is offering small grants (£50 or £100) from the Discipleship Development Fund to URC local churches to strengthen their relationship with a uniformed group (Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Guiding or Scouting).

The purpose of the grant must be to pay towards something which will foster, build or improve the relationship between the local church and one or more uniformed children’s and/or youth groups with a connection to the church.�� This could be anything from provision of accommodation to funding a suitable event or activity.�� The church might host a sleepover event, donate resources or give URC Children and/or URC Youth cloth badges to the members; or the groups might organise a cleanup of the church gardens, redecoration of the space they use, joint eco project or other creative idea. This could be matched funding to a URC Guide & Scout Fellowship grant (see ) or a stand-alone grant.

A note on completing the application form

If you open the form with Adobe Reader rather than in your web browser, you can fill them in, save it and email it back to us without needing to print, scan or post them.

Application form for grant of £50 or £100 to strengthen links with uniformed organisations (PDF|159kb)

Grants & funding opportunities

Find out about the grants and funding opportunities the URC offers churches, community groups and individuals

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New Reality, Same Mission

Catherine Kelliher — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 16:38:36 +0000

New Reality, Same Mission

Members of the URC’s��Church-Related Community Work,��Church and Society,��Children’s and Youth Work��and��mission and discipleship��teams, along with��Church Action on Poverty, started a conversation called ‘New Reality, Same Mission’ about helping congregations think about mission and community engagement in these challenging times.

The initiative began as a response to the Covid pandemic, but it is being broadened to include responses to other issues, including the cost of living crisis.

Covid response

In 2020, we produced a resource called ‘New Reality, Same Mission – A stimulus to renewed community engagement as we emerge from the pandemic’ that explored Pastoral Cycle and how this can help your church focus on the needs of your local community. There is a��full version��(PDF | 6.1mb) and a��summary of the pastoral cycle (PDF | 98kb)

Videos

Here is a�� of video reflections from a range of people talking about engaging in God’s mission in the time of Covid.

Zoom sessions

In early 2021, “Church at the Edge” Zoom sessions were held monthly, exploring different topics or questions about mission and community engagement in an informal setting. These sessions have currently stopped, but may resume in future.

Here is a��, Principal Officer for Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations with Churches Together in England, sharing her thoughts on what the Church should be doing in response to these most challenging times.

Funding support

Finding funding sources for mission and community engagement can be challenging. Here are a few good places to start:

Synod-distributed funds/funds��requiring��synod support��– Contact your Synod Office��for more information on potential funding sources in your area, including denominational funds which are distributed by synods, or otherwise require synod support.
Community funding organisations – A list of organisations and agencies with potential funding support for mission in your local neighbourhood.
Discipleship Development Fund��– Around £5,000 per award per year is available to recognised groups within the URC who can demonstrate that their plans are about helping people to live out their faith in everyday life.
– A great tool for finding potential sources of funding for various purposes and groups, including engagement with your local neighbourhood.
URC��Children’s & Youth Work Committee grants – Small grants for events, projects, activities which will benefit children, young people and families.

Additional resources

Here are some additional materials which might be useful to you and your local church as you explore mission and community engagement in light of the pandemic:

(PDF) – A practical document from think tank , stemming from the��which can help your church grapple with the challenges of connecting with your neighbourhood in meaningful ways.
– A helpful resource from��for organising effective partnerships with other churches, denominations and organisations which can be applied to partnerships for mission in your local neighbourhood.
Organisations recommended by the CRCW network – A list of organisations and agencies, recommended by the URC’s Church Related Community Work network, with resources and support for mission in your local neighbourhood.

Contact us

Please contact us by��email��or call 020 7520 2718. We’d love to hear from you, or help however we can.

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Omicron: Synod Moderators provide updated advice to churches

Catherine Kelliher — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:04:41 +0000

As Covid rules have been strengthened in response to concern over the new Omicron variant,��the United Reformed Church (URC) Synod Moderators provide updated advice to churches:

The situation in Scotland and Wales has not changed with Boris Johnson’s latest announcements from Downing Street. It is a continuing legal requirement for everyone aged 12 or over in Scotland and 11 and over in Wales, unless they are exempt,��to wear a face covering in indoor public space (including churches).

The Prime Minister has tightened Covid regulations in England in response to the emerging Omicron variant of concern.

In England it is now mandatory to wear face covering in shops and settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as public transport, unless you are exempt. The position remains that we are also encouraged and expected to wear one in “crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.”

Most of us spend much less time in a single shop than we do in Sunday worship, and the risks of transmission, even with other mitigations properly in effect and the high level of vaccination, are greater in churches than in many other enclosed settings where our members would typically find themselves.

The Synod Moderators agree that as a continuing act of respect and love for neighbour, people using URC buildings in England should also wear face coverings, unless they are medically exempt.��Please remember that our aim in worship is to firstly to glorify God and secondly to build up the church: it matters much less if the technical qualities of our singing are a little hampered by face masks.

Please redouble your efforts to see that masks fit well and cover the mouth and nose properly at all times, unless you are taking part in leading worship and are properly physically distanced from others.

Elders’ meetings have the legal responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of their staff, volunteers and visitors, and so the Moderators strongly urge churches to revisit and update their risk assessment and make sure all appropriate steps are taken to maximise safety whenever we gather together.

Churches are also reminded of the continuing importance of simple measures like ventilation, good hand hygiene and the use of tissues for coughs and sneezes followed by hand washing or sanitisation within the “Catch it, bin it, kill it” advice.

The Synod Moderators��

_{Published: 1 December 2021

Image: Matteo Jorjoson/Unsplash}

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Sunflowers & Thistles

Catherine Kelliher — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 11:41:42 +0000

Sunflowers & Thistles

A collection of praise and protests songs written by the Revd John Campbell that focus on the Black Lives Matter movement and the pandemic.

These free online resources include the booklet of songs, which can be sung to the tunes of well-known hymns, a full music version of all the hymns, PowerPoint presentations and slides, and videos.

Sunflowers & Thistles – download the words booklet and music book

Download Sunflowers & Thistles – words booklet (PDF | 4mb) – a full-colour resource with lyrics to all the hymns. Includes an introduction by the Revd John Campbell
Download Sunflowers & Thistles – music book (PDF | 2mb)

Individual hymns

Download the words, music sheets, music files and watch videos of some of the hymns that make up Sunflowers & Thistles:

A bouquet of sunflowers and thistles

John Campbell: "In August 2020, there was a Black Lives Matter demonstration outside Tottenham police station. Passing along the High Road after this peaceful�� protestwas over, I saw a bouquet of sunflowers and thistles propped against the fence. It seemed deeply symbolic, so I wrote this song."

Download the music sheet��(PDF | 68kb)
Download a PowerPoint presentation (PPT | 4mb)
Download audio of the song (MP3 | 5mb)
Download a video of the song (MP4 | 27mb)

Watch the video

Cry, ‘I can’t breathe!’

John Campbell: "The words of George Floyd (and others who died pinned down by police) have become a rallying cry for much wider issues of injustice. This song seeks to invite Christians to share the cry and join the struggle."

Download the music sheet (PDF | 55kb)
Download a PowerPoint presentation (PPT | 4mb)
Download audio of the song (MP3 | 4mb)
Download a video of the song (MP4 | 27mb)

Watch the video

Great giver of courage

A song for Pentecost in challenging times.

Download the music sheet (PDF | 55kb)
Download a PowerPoint presentation (PPT | 2mb)
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The ‘owner’ of the fig tree

John Campbell: "Having looked at the simple tale about a figless fig tree in Luke 13.6-9, our explorations, lit by the Black Lives Matter movement and news of unequal effects of Covid-19 in BAME communities, we were led to see (as we’d never seen before) a powerful investigation of competing explanations of fruitlessness, that richly echoed modern-day attitudes to the black experience in the UK. Jesus does not go with the ‘owners’."

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The pain and the outrage

For George Floyd. A first response to the shocking news of this public death.

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Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!

John Campbell: "In no time at all, after lockdown, many of us found our worship services were on Zoom. Here is a wee song to start a Zoom worship service."

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The post Sunflowers & Thistles appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Families on Faith Adventures at Home

Catherine Kelliher — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:03:00 +0000

Families on Faith Adventures at Home

Families on Faith Adventures at Home is a free resource from the United Reformed Church to help families worship and pray together and develop their faith during lockdown and beyond.

These resources draw on the materials are a ‘pick and mix’ selection of activites, prayers and challenges based around a different Bible reading.

No matter what your family make-up, hopefully you will find something useful and engaging in these materials.

Download a useful index of the stories and where to find them (PDF | 164kb)

Download resources

Storecupboard Nativity intergenerational worship outline (Are you ready?) (PDF | 500 kb)

Storecupboard Nativity intergenerational worship outline (Are you ready?)

An outline for an all-age worship using items from a kitchen cupboard (or foodbank donations) to retell the story of the nativity and think about God's gift of something extraordinary into our everyday. This is a stand-alone but can also be linked to the Advent issues for 2022 on the theme of Are You Ready?

All-age / crib / service plan / nativity / foods /

27th Nov 2022: Advent Bumper Special – Luke and Matthew (PDF | 3mb)

Advent bumper special A bumper issue for the Advent period on the theme "Are you ready?"

start/ welcome/ celebrate/ give/ wise men/ shepherds/ angels/ baby Jesus/ Mary and joseph / nativity / Christmas

21st Nov 2022: Mirror their faith – Hebrews 13: 1-8 (PDF | 2mb)

21^st Nov 2022: Mirror their faith – Hebrews 13: 1-8

Jesus and others are role models for our faith. God is in our relationships.

example of others / cloud of witnesses / eyes on Jesus / relationships / friendship / role models / God with us

14th Nov 2022: Passing the baton – Hebrews 12: 1-2 (PDF | 2mb)

14^th Nov 2022: Passing the baton – Hebrews 12: 1-2

Faith is like a baton in a relay race - people from the Bible and from our encounters today share their faith with us and we can pass that baton on to others.

Run the race / resurrection / saviour / faith / cloud of witnesses / encouragement

7th Nov 2022: Coming home – Hosea 14 (PDF | 2mb)

7^th Nov 2022: Coming home – Hosea 14

Things can be so good if we say sorry to God for the things we have done wrong and put God first.

Praise / returning to God / forgiveness / repentance / saying sorry / prophesy

31st Oct 2022: Be prepared – Matthew 25: 1-13 (PDF | 2mb)

31^st Oct 2022: Be prepared – Matthew 25: 1-13

Five of the ten bridesmaids waiting to greet the bridegroom were not ready when he got there. We need always to be ready to meet with Jesus.

Ten bridesmaids / being prepared / foolish / second coming / being ready / holy spirit / patience / ten virgins

24th Oct 2022: Let justice flow – Amos 5: 21-24 (PDF | 2mb)

24^th Oct 2022: Let justice flow – Amos 5: 21-24

God doesn't want us just to 'say' we are his friends, he wants us to 'show' it in the way we act.

Justice / social action / what God seeks / genuine worship

17th Oct 2022: She wanted to give – Luke 21: 1-4 (PDF | 1mb)

17^th Oct 2022: She wanted to give – Luke 21: 1-4

The woman put two pennies in the offertory box - God looks at our hearts and sees our motives when we give in any way.

Widow's mite / pennies / giving / generous / faith

10th Oct 2022: Feeling so worried – Matthew 6: 25-34 (PDF | 2mb)

10^th Oct 2022: Feeling so worried – Matthew 6: 25-34

Consider the birds in the air - Jesus tells us, when we are worried, to trust God with the things that concern us.

emotions / worry / trust / God cares / birds / lilies/ peace / fear /anxiety

3rd Oct 2022: Feeling so angry – Ephesians 4: 20-21/25-32 (PDF | 2mb)

3^rd Oct 2022: Feeling so angry – Ephesians 4: 20-21/25-32

Whatever our emotions, God is with us and can use our anger when it is right to and diffuse it when it is misplaced.

emotions / self-control / honesty / gentleness/ compassion / kindness / forgiveness / righteous anger /

26th Sept 2022: Feeling so sad – Lamentations 5: 14/15/17/19/21 (PDF | 1mb)

26^th Sept 2022: Feeling so sad – Lamentations 5: 14/15/17/19/21

Whatever our emotions, God is with us and hears our prayers.

emotions / sadness / trust / fear / song

19th Sept 2022: I choose you – Mark 2: 13-17 (PDF | 2mb)

19^th Sept 2022: I choose you – Mark 2: 13-17

Jesus chooses Levi the tax collector to be his friend - he chooses you too!

Calling disciples / Jesus' friends / Levi / Matthew / tax collector / follow / choose

12th Sept 2022: Hannah’s prayer – 1 Samuel 1: 1-11/ 17-18 (PDF | 2mb)

12th Sept 2022: Hannah’s prayer – 1 Samuel 1: 1-11/ 17-18

Hannah asks God to give her a baby, but promises to give him to God's service.

Hannah prays for a child / trust�� / baby / thankfulness / promises / prayer / faithfuless / acceptance

5th Sept 2022: Can we go back – Psalm 137: 1-5 (PDF | 1mb)

5^th Sept 2022: Can we go back – Psalm 137: 1-5

The Israelites are exiled in Babylon - we face changes in life too and may not like them, but God is with us.

capture / exile / Babylon/ changes / difficult situations / journeys / faith / accetance

11 July 2022: Fruits of the Spirit Summer Special – fruits of the spirit (PDF | 5mb)

11 July 2022: Fruits of the Spirit Summer Special – fruits of the spirit

A bumper issue for the summer exploring the fruits of the spirit

love / joy / peace / kindness / gentleness / faithfulness / self-control / generosity / patience / holy spirit

04 July 2022: The Child in the Midst – Mark 9: 33-37 (PDF | 2mb)

04 July 2022: The child in the midst – Mark 9: 33-37

When the disciples turn children away, Jesus draws them into the middle of the crowd and says that all should come to him like children. Children have a part to play in the mission of God.

Jesus welcomes children / importance / acceptance / belonging / family / charter for children in the church

27 June 2022: Out of the window – Acts 20: 7-12 (PDF | 2mb)

27 June 2022: Out of the Window – Acts 20: 7-12

Young Eutychus was listening to a long sermon by Paul and fell out of the window, but Paul raised him from death.

Healing / teaching / boredom / miracle /�� power /�� waiting / patience / time

20 June 2022: Be content – 1 Timothy 6: 7-11 (PDF | 1mb)

20 June 2022: Be Content – 1 Timothy 6: 7-11

Paul encourages the church to be content - to consider what they have and how to use it. We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us.

money / contentment / stewardship / letter / epistle / temptation / thankfulness / gratitude / resources

13 June 2022: Turn it off and on again – Genesis 32: 1-8 and Genesis 33: 1-12 (PDF | 2mb)

13 June 2022: Turn it off and on again – Genesis 32: 1-8 and Genesis 33: 1-12

Jacob deceived his brother Esau and they parted as enemies, but now they are being reunited.�� (This issue is linked to "Tense Times")

twins / forgiveness / making amends / reconciliation / reunited / repentance

06 June 2022: Tense times – Genesis 25: 20-34 and Genesis 27: 30-45 (PDF | 2mb)

06 June 2022: Tense Times – Genesis 25: 20-34 and Genesis 27: 30-45

Jacob deceives his twin brother Esau and his father Isaac and steals what is rightfully his brother's. (This issue links with "Turn it off and on again").�� How do we deal with tensions between family and friends?

birth right / jealousy / twins /sibling rivalry / greed / deceiving / tensions / relationships / anger

30 May 2022: Reconnected – Luke 15: 11-32 (PDF | 2mb)

30 May 2022: Reconnected – Luke 15: 11-32

A son asks his father for his inheritance early and spends it all, ending up in poverty, but his father welcomes him home. Jesus told this story to show how God welcomes us home, even if we mess things up.

prodigal / forgiveness / foolishness / jealousy / loved / greed / parable / home / thanks / welcome

23 May 2022: Everyone’s valued – 2 Samuel 9 (PDF | 1mb)

23 May 2022: Everyone’s Valued – 2 Samuel 9

When David becomes king, he seeks out his friend's son and welcomes him into the family, even though others are surprised because the boy has damaged legs. Our value is in whose child we are - children of God.

David / Saul�� / family / Jonathon / Mephibosheth / care / value / parent / disability

16 May 2022: Just do it – Micah 6: 8 (PDF | 1mb)

16 May 2022: Just Do It – Micah 6: 8

MIcah shares what God wants of us - the right way to live as followers of Jesus

do the right thing / justice / mercy / kindness / make a difference / social action / discipleship / humble

9 May 2022: Learning together – Luke 2: 41-52 (PDF | 1mb)

9 May 2022: Learning Together – Luke 2: 41-52

When young Jesus gets lost, Mary and Joseph find him in the temple, discussing the scriptures with the elders and leaders there. We learn best intergenerationally, each generation sharing with each other.

intergenerational / authority / generations / teaching / learning / Jesus' childhood / lost

2 May 2022: Praise Him – Psalm 150 (PDF | 3mb)

2 May 2022: Praise Him – Psalm 150

A psalm of praise, the last psalm, talks of how great God is and all the different instruments we might use to sing God's praise: let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

song of praise / David /�� instruments / music / celebrate / dance / trumpet / cymbals

25 April 2022: Extra-special – 2 Chronicles 2: 1 and 5-9 (PDF | 1mb)

25 April 2022: Extra-Special – 2 Chronicles 2: 1 and 5-9

Solomon decided to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem so he employed people to use their particular skills and gifts to the best of their ability. We too can use our skills and gifts to do something special for God.

skills / talents / gifts / temple / rebuilding / treasure / precious / value

14 April 2022: How will you meet him? – John 20: 24-29 (PDF | 1mb)

14 April 2022: How Will You Meet Him? – John 20: 24-29

Thomas can't believe that Jesus is risen until Jesus appears behind him and shows him the proof. Faith varies from person to person - what do you need to believe?

Doubting Thomas / belief / question / faith / resurrection / disciples / Easter

11 April 2022: Jesus is alive – Pass It On! – 1 Corinthians 15 (PDF | 2mb)

11 April 2022: Jesus Is Alive – Pass It On! – 1 Corinthians 15

Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth that Jesus rose from the dead and encourages them to share the good news

Easter / letter / resurrection / Good news / epistle / witness / mission

4 April 2022: Mark my words – Zachariah 9: 9-10 (PDF | 2mb)

4 April 2022: Mark My Words – Zachariah 9: 9-10

Zachariah prophesies about the coming of the king, riding a donkey into Jerusalem. A Palm Sunday story.

prophesy / praise / palm Sunday / triumphant / Christ the King / donkey / Easter / Holy Week / Jerusalem

28 March 2022: Something to think about - Philippians 4: 4-9 (PDF | 2mb)

28 March 2022: Something To Think About - Philippians 4: 4-9

In his letter to the Christians in Philippi, Paul encourages them to keep their thoughts on things that are of God as a daily discipline. We can do this too.

Joy / peace / letter / epistle / advice / encouragement / anxiety / worry / good news

21 March 2022: Shhh…we’re Christians – Daniel 1 (PDF | 1mb)

21 March 2022: Shhh…We’re Christians – Daniel 1

Sometimes we can shout about our faith but sometimes we need to practise our faith more quietly. This was the case for Daniel and his friends when they were exiled in Babylon and worked for the king.

exile / Babylon / serve / faith / testing / persecution / wisdom / prayer

14 March 2022: Sneak a peak – Job 38 and 39 (PDF | 1mb)

14 March 2022: Sneak A Peak – Job 38 and 39

Job has lost everything, and feels like complaining to God, but then reconsiders as he realises the enormity of all that God has done and how insignificant his life is in comparison, and yet still God loves him.

authority / creation / suffering / almighty God / worship / power / care / God's love

7 March 2022: First shall be last – Matthew 20: 1-16 (PDF | 1mb)

7 March 2022: First Shall Be Last – Matthew 20: 1-16

In this parable, Jesus tells of people being hired to work in a vineyard at different times in the day but all getting paid the same. God loves us all the same and we should not compare ourselves to others.

vineyard / parable / work / pay / workers / different / jealousy / comparison

28 February 2022: Attitude of gratitude – Luke 17: 11 – 19 (PDF | 1mb)

28 February 2022: Attitude of Gratitude – Luke 17: 11 – 19

Ten men with leprosy were healed by Jesus but only one thanked him.

sickness / healing / leprosy / lepers / miracle / ungrateful / gratitude / gift

21 February 2022: God’s name – Woven into everything – Psalm 8 (PDF | 2mb)

21 February 2022: God’s Name – Woven Into Everything – Psalm 8

A psalm of praise - how majestic is your name in all the earth. And if God's name is woven into everything, does that change how we treat our world?

praise / majesty / creation / stewardship / discipleship / environment / responsibility

14 February 2022: Just say yes! – Luke 14: 12-24 (PDF | 1mb)

14 February 2022: Just say Yes! – Luke 14: 12-24

Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet or wedding feast where the people invited are too busy to come. Nothing is more important than saying yes to God's invitation.

banquet / feast / invitation / welcome / blessing / outsiders / outcasts / margins / parable

7 February 2022: Together again – Genesis 45: 1-15 (PDF | 2mb)

7 February 2022: Together Again – Genesis 45: 1-15

Joseph is a very important person in Egypt and his brothers, who had betrayed him, do not recognise him when they come to him for help. (This issue is linked to "Family Fallout"

famine / Egypt / Israel / reunited / family / betrayal / forgiveness / dreams

31 January 2022: Family fallout – Genesis 37 (PDF | 2mb)

31 January 2022: Family Fallout – Genesis 37

Joseph is his father's favourite and has dreams that foretell him lording it over his brothers, so they sell him into slavery to get rid of him.

multicoloured coat / slavery/ greed / jealousy / favouritism / dreams / family

17 January 2022: God’s Got It – Acts 27: 27- 44 (PDF | 1mb)

17 January 2022: God’s Got It – Acts 27: 27- 44

Paul is travelling to tell people about Jesus but he is shipwrecked. God saves him and others.

shipwreck / Paul / missionary / journey / anxiety / provision

10 January 2022: More Than Happy – Matthew 5: 1-11 (PDF | 2mb)

10 January 2022: More Than Happy – Matthew 5: 1-11

The Beatitudes - Jesus preaches to the crowd on the mountainside with some unusual definitions of what it means to be happy.... or rather, more than happy, blessed.

beatitudes / preaching / teaching / blessings / rules for life / peacemakers / mourning

3 January 2022: Jubilee – Leviticus 25: 8-17 (PDF | 2mb)

3 January 2022: Jubilee – Leviticus 25: 8-17

Jubilee is the fiftieth year, a celebration in which land is returned to its original owner, debts are written off, land is allowed to lie fallow, and slaves are freed.

celebrate / festival / justice / community / rest / anniversary / reparation

27th Dec 2021 – Joshua and Jericho – Joshua 6: 1-20 (PDF | 2mb)

27th Dec 2021 - Joshua and Jericho - Joshua 6: 1-20

Following God's instructions to march round the city of Jericho in silence and then to make a huge noise, Joshua's army won a huge victory. Sometimes God asks strange things of us but we can trust that God knows the reason why.

Walls of Jericho / battle / trust / obey / defeat / army

20th Dec 2021 – Come and See with the Wise Ones – Matthew 2: 1-12 (PDF | 2mb)

20th Dec 2021 – Come and See with the Wise Ones – Matthew 2: 1-12

The fourth in the Advent "Come and See" series sees the wise ones coming from afar to see the young Jesus

Advent / Christmas / wise men / magi / gold / frankinsense / myhrr / orient / worship / Herod / dream / star

13th Dec 2021 – Come and see with the animals – Luke 2: 1-7 (PDF | 2mb)

13^th Dec 2021 – come and see with the animals – Luke 2: 1-7

The third in the Advent "Come and See" series finds the animals gathered around the manger, awaiting the birth of a child

Animals / stable / advent / Christmas / nativity / worship / manger / baby Jesus / Mary and Joseph

6th Dec 2021 – Come and see with the shepherds – Luke 2: 8-20 (PDF | 2mb)

6^th Dec 2021 – come and see with the shepherds – Luke 2: 8-20

The third in the "Come and See" Advent series sees the shepherds rushing to Bethlehem after seeing a host of angels telling them about the new born king.

Advent / christmas / shepherds / sheep / angels / heavenly host / worship / nativity / stable / Christ

29th Nov 2021 – Come and see with the angels – Luke 1: 28-36 (PDF | 2mb)

29^th Nov 2021 – come and see with the angels – Luke 1: 28-36

The first in the "Come and See" Advent series sees Mary and Joseph each being visited by an angel bearing good but surprising news, and Mary visits Elizabeth to share this news.

Angel / Gabriel / Mary / Elizabeth / pregnancy / Holy Spirit / Joseph / annunciation

22nd Nov 2021 – Set free too – Acts 16: 23-40 (PDF | 2mb)

22^nd Nov 2021 – set free too – Acts 16: 23-40

Paul and Silas are freed from prison by an earthquake but, by not running away when they had the chance, they bring a prison officer to faith. He is 'set free' by their actions.

jail / prison / Paul and Silas / prayers / singing / adversity / freedom / captive / faith

24 January 2022: Everybody celebrate and praise – 1 Chronicles 16 (PDF | 2mb)

24 January 2022: Everybody Celebrate and Praise – 1 Chronicles 16

David dances as he brings the Ark of the Covenant home to the temple in Jerusalem.

covenant / offering / celebration / sacrifice / fellowship / praise / temple

15th Nov 2021 – Set free – Acts 16: 16 – 24 (PDF | 2mb)

15^th Nov 2021 – Set free – Acts 16: 16 – 24

Paul and Silas cause a stir by healing a mentally-ill slave-girl who is being exploited by others. As a result they are sent to prison. (Linked with "Set Free Too")

evil spirit / exploitation / justice / freedom / captivity / preaching / healing / miracle

8th Nov 2021 – Peace, be still – Mark 4: 35-41 (PDF | 2mb)

8^th Nov 2021 – Peace, be still – Mark 4: 35-41

Jesus is asleep in the boat when a storm whips up on the lake and the disciples wake him because they are afraid. Jesus calms the storm.

Calming the storm�� / fishing / sleeping / trust / prayer / anxiety / worry / trust / disciples

1st Nov 2021 – All saints – Luke 10: 25-37 - Good Samaritan (PDF | 1mb)

1^st Nov 2021 – All saints – Luke 10: 25-37 ��(PDF|1MB)

Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to show what it means to love your neighbour as yourself. What does a saint look like, and how can we all be saints?

Good Samaritan / pass by / neighbour / greatest commandment / love / help / service / first aid

25th Oct 2021 – Clothed in love – Colossians 3: 12-17 (PDF | 2mb)

25th Oct 2021 – clothed in love – Colossians 3: 12-17

Paul writes to the Christians in Colossia to encourage them to be "clothed in love" in all they do. What does this mean?

forgiveness / one body / church / congregation / living together / love / epistle / letter

19th Oct 2021 – What are you doing here Elijah? – 1 Kings 19: 11-13 (PDF | 650kb)

19^th Oct 2021 – What are you doing here Elijah? – 1 Kings 19: 11-13

Elijah is being chased and is in danger for his life so, afraid, he hides in a cave. But God knows he's there and has a job for him to do. God finds us, strengthens us, and helps us keep on keeping on.

God / retreat / hiding / reflection / encouragement / feeding / nurture / God's plan / vocation

11th Oct 2021 – Is that you God? – I Samuel 3 - the call of Samuel (PDF | 2mb)

11^th Oct 2021 – Is that you God – I Samuel 3

Young Samuel is asleep and hears a voice which he thinks is his master, Eli. But in fact it is God, calling Samuel to be God's prophet and to serve God.

Calling / vocation / child / temple / priest / listening / prayer / obedience

4th Oct 2021 – Psalm 139 - God knows all about me (PDF | 1mb)

4^th Oct 2021 – Psalm 139 - God knows all about me

This psalm celebrates how God knew us even before we were born and is always with us.

omniscient / omnipresent / eternal / development / creation / body / God's plan / love / praise

27th Sept 2021 – Extraordinary – John 2: 1-11 - The Wedding at Cana (PDF | 1mb)

27^th Sept 2021 – Extraordinary – John 2: 1-11

Jesus is at a wedding with his mother when the host runs out of wine. Mary asks Jesus to help and he performs his first miracle, turning water into wine.

Miracle / water into wine / wedding / party / celebration / mother / potential / vocation / calling

20th Sept 2021 – Peer pressure – Romans 14: 1-13 (PDF | 2mb)

20^th Sept 2021 – peer pressure – Romans 14: 1-13

In Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome, he talks to them about not being an "in-crowd" or looking down on other believers because they don't believe or do exactly the same as they do. God loves everyone and does not want everyone to be the same. We don't have to conform to peer pressure to be loved by God.

letter / epistle / instructions / encouragement / choices / behaviour / vegetarian / judging others

13th Sept 2021 – Frame it – Deuteronomy 8: 6-11 (PDF | 2mb)

13^th Sept 2021 – Frame it – Deuteronomy 8: 6-11

Moses reminds the new generation of Hebrews (who are wandering in the desert after escaping Egypt) of all the good things God has done for them in the past and blesses them with all the good things God will do for them in the future. Everything they say and do is framed by this.

obey / exile / desert / exodus / laws / commandments / blessing / remembrance

6th Sept 2021 – Prepare the way – Mark 1: 1-12 - Baptism of Jesus (PDF | 2mb)

6^th Sept 2021 – Prepare the way – Mark 1: 1-12

Jesus' cousin John is telling people the Good News and "preparing the way" for the coming of Jesus when Jesus turns up by the river and asks John to baptise him, just as he is baptising other people. God blesses Jesus.

baptism / prepare / prophet / worthy / beloved son / dove / God / blessing

30th August 2021 – Blessings – Numbers 6: 22-27 - the Lord bless and keep you (PDF | 1mb)

30^th August 2021 – Blessings – Numbers 6: 22-27

Aaron blesses the people of God with words that we often still use today to bless others, especially in church.

dedication / blessing / mercy / peace / prayer / intercession / happiness

26th July 2021 – Creation summer special – Genesis 1-2:3 (PDF | 2mb)

26^th July 2021 – Creation summer special – Genesis 1-2:3

This bumper edition for the summer holidays follows the seven days of creation.

Creation / beginning / environment / world / Adam and Eve / Eden / day and night / land and water / heaven and earth / animals / birds / fish / sabbath

19th July 2021 – All in – Acts 10: 9-17/ 24-28/ 34-35 - Peter has a vision (PDF | 2mb)

19^th July 2021 – All in – Acts 10: 9-17/ 24-28/ 34-35

Peter has a vision of a sheet being lowered with all sorts of animals on it, including ones that the Jewish laws said they should not eat. God invites him to eat, saying that nothing and nobody that God has created is "unclean" - everyone is part of God's family

vision / dream / food / heaven / diversity / laws / clean and unclean / inclusion / foreigners / gentiles / mission

12th July 2021 – Forever love – Psalm 23 (PDF | 2mb)

12^th July 2021 – Forever love – Psalm 23

This well loved psalm of David compares the love of God to that of a shepherd and his sheep

song / psalm / shepherd / sheep / green pastures / still waters / valley of death / protection / trust

5th July 2021 – Live well – Jeremiah 29: 1-7; 10-14 - Babylon exile (PDF | 2mb)

5^th July 2021 – Live well – Jeremiah 29: 1-7; 10-14

During the exile in Babylon, Jeremiah writes to the exiles with a message from God, telling them to make the most of their situation and live well rather than just longing to go back to how things were before. They are to be God's witnesses wherever they are, and God will be with them

letter / captives / exile / plans / hard times / adversity / strength / courage

28th June 2021 – Wherever you are – Mark 4: 1-9 - parable of sower (PDF | 2mb)

28^th June 2021 – Wherever you are – Mark 4: 1-9

Jesus tells the parable of the sower sowing seeds across the field and the seeds falling in different types of place. God's message will reach us wherever we are but we need to be ready to grow it.

parable / growth / faith / seeds / pavement / birds / weeds / harvest

21st June 2021 – All sorts of families – Ruth 1: 6-11 & 14-19 - Ruth and Naomi (PDF | 2mb)

21^st June 2021 – All sorts of families – Ruth 1: 6-11 & 14-19

Ruth's mother-in-law is returning to her homeland after the death of her sons and husband. She tells Ruth not to go with her, but Ruth will not abandon her. She is family.

widow / home / nationality / family / faithfulness / reward / love / faith

14th June 2021 – Let’s do breakfast – John 21: 1-14 - Miracle catch of fish (PDF | 2mb)

14^th June 2021 – Let’s do breakfast – John 21: 1-14

Jesus appears to the disciples who are out fishing after the crucifixion and have caught nothing. He tells them to cast their nets on the other side and they have a miraculous catch of fish. He cooks breakfast for them on the lakeside.

listening / thinking / teaching / trust / faith/ resurrection / miracle / obedience / breakfast / fish

7th June 2021 – Stay strong – Judges 16: 4-22 - Samson and Delilah (PDF | 2mb)

7^th June 2021 – Stay strong – Judges 16: 4-22

Samson is a Nazarene which means his mother made a promise never to cut his hair, but his girlfriend Delilah tricks him into telling her the secret of his strength. But God does not abandon him.

hair / Philistine / strength / defeat / trick / weakness

31st May 2021 – God’s world in your hands – Psalm 8: 1-8 (PDF | 2mb)

31^st May 2021 – God’s world in your hands – Psalm 8: 1-8

God is the creator of all things and the whole world sings God's praise. But God called humankind to be custodians of creation - God's world is in our hands.

Creation / creator / good / majestic / world / environment / stewardship /care / responsible

24th May 2021 – Come one, you can do it! – 1 Timothy 4: 6-16 - TImothy's grandmother (PDF | 2mb)

24^th May 2021 – Come one, you can do it! – 1 Timothy 4: 6-16

Timothy is a young friend of Paul who became a Christian and a missionary through the influence of his grandmother and mother as well as his friendship with Paul.

witness / encouragement / cheering on / missionary / influence / role-models / faith / intergenerational

17th May 2021 – The promise – John 14: 15-21 & 25-27 - Jesus will send Holy Spirit (PDF | 2mb)

17^th May 2021 – The promise – John 14: 15-21 & 25-27

Before his crucifixion, Jesus promises the disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit to be with them and they will never be alone or abandoned by God because the spirit will always be there.

peace / holy spirit / holy ghost / pentecost / whitsun / inspiration / friend

10th May 2021 – Spreading the word – Genesis 11: 1-9 - Tower of Babel (PDF | 1mb)

10th May 2021 – Spreading the word – Genesis 11: 1-9

When the people get too big for their boots and try to build a tower up to heaven, God makes it that they all speak different languages and instead have to spread out across the world.

babel / babble / languages / confusion / mission / communication / proud

3rd May 2021 – Trust how God sees – Judges 7: 1-8 &16-21 - Gideon (PDF | 2mb)

3^rd May 2021 – Trust how God sees – Judges 7: 1-8 &16-21

Gideon doesn't think much of himself as a warrior, but God sees him differently and chooses him to lead an army. And God whittles down the army until it's just a handful of soldiers too. God may see potential in people and situations, including us, that we don't see.

trust / midianites / army / victory / tribe / leadership / potential / vocation / calling

26th April 2021- See yourself as God sees you – Judges 6: 11-24 - Gideon (PDF | 2mb)

26^th April 2021- See yourself as God sees you – Judges 6: 11-24

Gideon is the youngest son in the smallest tribe of Israel and doesn't believe it when God has a job for him to do and calls him a "mighty man of valour". (Linked to "Trust how God sees")

calling / vocation / potential / angel / leader / choosing / army / altar

19th April 2021 – A new way of living – Acts 9: 36-42 - Tabitha (PDF | 2mb)

19^th April 2021 – A new way of living – Acts 9: 36-42

Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, is a Christian who does good in her neighbourhood. When she dies, Peter performs a miracle and raises her back to life.

generous / giving / offering / talent / service / miracle / resurrection / death

12th April 2021 – Small voices count – 2 Kings 5: 1-15 - story of Naaman (PDF | 2mb)

12^th April 2021 – Small voices count – 2 Kings 5: 1-15

Naaman is an important person but will he listen to the young Christian slave girl when he becomes sick and trust God to help him, even though what she asks sounds strange?

children / river Jordan / skin disease / cleansed / miracle / servant / slave�� / healing

5th April 2021 – Journeying on – Luke 24: 13-35 – Emmaus Road (PDF | 2mb)

5th April 2021 – Journeying on – Luke 24: 13-35

Two people are walking along the Emmaus Road after Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection but don't recognise Jesus walking with them. What will he tell them?

Emmaus Road / faith / resurrection / breaking bread / disciples / witness

28th Mar 2021 – Journey to Easter – John 13: 4-14 - events of Holy Week (PDF | 4mb)

28^th Mar 2021 – Journey to Easter – John 13: 4-14

The journey to Easter takes us from Palm Sunday (link to "Let's celebrate: Jesus is coming") to the crucifixion and resurrection with all stages in between.

Holy Week / last supper / feet / disciples / garden / gethsemane / arrest / trial / crucify / tomb / resurrection /

15th Mar 2021 – Seen, known, forgiven – Luke 19: 1-10 - Zacchaeus (PDF | 2mb)

15^th Mar 2021 – Seen, known, forgiven – Luke 19: 1-10

When unpopular tax-collector Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus over the heads of the crowd, Jesus spots him and calls him by name. Jesus knows us by name too, and is not bothered by what others think of us: Jesus wants us as his friend.

teaching / forgiveness / disciple / sycamore tree / tax collector / known / accepted

8th Mar 2021 – Reconnecting with our parent God – Luke 11: 1-4 - Lord's Prayer (PDF | 2mb)

8^th Mar 2021 – Reconnecting with our parent God – Luke 11: 1-4

When the disciples don't know how to pray, Jesus gives them a way of connecting with God like a child connects with a loving parent. We can use this way of praying as a "direct line" to God.

prayer / connection / relationship / Our Father / heaven / teaching

1st Mar 2021 – Limitless – Luke 9: 12-17 - feeding 5000 (PDF | 2mb)

1^st Mar 2021 – Limitless – Luke 9: 12-17

Jesus has been teaching the people for hours and suddenly they realise they're hungry but have no food. A boy offers his packed lunch and Jesus takes what he has and makes it limitless, so everyone is fed and more. God's love is without limits, it's overflowing and excessive and abundant and for everyone.

miracle / blessing / provision / offering / child / discipleship / sharing / generosity

22nd Feb 2021 – This is me – Luke 4: 14-21 - Jesus reads in the synagogue (PDF | 2mb)

22^nd Feb 2021 – This is me – Luke 4: 14-21

Jesus causes a bit of a stir in the synagogue when he is asked to read as he tells the people that the scriptures he is reading are about HIM !

synagogue / rabbi / scriptures / prophesy / anger / declaration / Sabbath / reading

15th Feb 2021 - Desert smackdown –Matthew 4: 1-11 - Temptation of Jesus (PDF | 2mb)

15^th Feb 2021 - Desert smackdown –Matthew 4: 1-11

Before beginning his ministry, Jesus spends 40 days and nights in the desert. The devil tempts him but Jesus uses his knowledge of scripture to defeat the devil. What we learn from the Bible can help us to avoid temptation too.

temptation / devil / satan / worship / holy / desert / wilderness / prayer / Lent / fasting / ministry

8th Feb 2021 – Your time, God’s time – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 - a time for everything (PDF | 2mb)

8^th Feb 2021 – Your time, God’s time – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

This poetry from Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything and that this time is God's time. Everything changes, nothing stays the same, but that's OK because God is in control.

seasons / time / change / opposites / funeral reading / turn, turn, turn / control

1st Feb 2021 – Frightened but trusting – Daniel 6: 1-23 - Daniel and the Lions (PDF | 2mb)

1^st Feb 2021 – Frightened but trusting – Daniel 6: 1-23

Daniel persists in praying, even though the king made a law to say that praying was forbidden on penalty of death. He is thrown into a pit of hungry lions, but God sends an angel to keep him safe.

Lion's den / prayer / brave / courage / trust / angel / trick / faith / danger

25th Jan 2021 – Handbook for living – Exodus 20: 1-17 – 10 - Ten Commandments (PDF | 2mb)

25^th Jan 2021 – Handbook for living – Exodus 20: 1-17 – 10

God gives Moses ten commandments to share with the people which cover how to behave towards God and towards one another.

commandments / laws / rules / holy / mountain / tablets / people of God / thou shalt not

18th Jan 2021 – Handbook for life – The book of James (PDF | 2mb)

18^th Jan 2021 – Handbook for life – The book of James

James writes a letter containing all sorts of advice for how to live a Christian life in society - is there anything we can learn from this too?

advice / life / commandments / rules / suggestions / prayer / peace / message / letter / epistle

11th Jan 2021 – No place to call home – Matthew 2: 13-15 - Escape to Egypt (PDF | 3mb)

11^th Jan 2021 – No place to call home – Matthew 2: 13-15

Herod feels threatened by the news that a new King is born in Bethlehem so he plans to kill his rival. Jesus and his family flee to Egypt as refugees to escape persecution.

dream / vision / refugee / escape / threat / king / jealous / homeless / scared

7th Jan 2021 – Gifts of joy – Matthew 2: 1-1 - WIse men bring gifts (PDF | 2mb)

7^th Jan 2021 – Gifts of joy – Matthew 2: 1-1

The final "Hope and Joy" Advent/Epiphany issue sees the wise men journeying to present their gifts to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and to worship the new king.

wise ones / magi / Herod / star / orient / frankincense / myrrh / gold / journey / gifts / prophesy

31st Dec 2020 – Sharing the joy – Luke 2: 8-20 - shepherds (PDF | 2mb)

31^st Dec 2020 – Sharing the joy – Luke 2: 8-20

Fifth in the "Hope and Joy" Advent / Epiphany series, the shepherds travel to the stable to see the baby but do not stay there - they go out to spread the news far and wide and share the joy.

shepherds / sheep / manger / stable / nativity / Christmas / Advent / joy / angel

23rd Dec 2020 – Advent 4: Joy to the world – Luke 2: 6-7 - Jesus is born (PDF | 2mb)

23rd Dec 2020 – Advent 4: Joy to the world – Luke 2: 6-7

Fourth in the "Hope and Joy" Advent/Epiphany series, we celebrate the birth of Christ with all in the stable.

stable / angel / shepherds / Christ / Jesus / baby / nativity / Christmas / Advent

17th Dec 2020 – Advent 3: Walking in hope – Luke 2: 1-6 - journey to Bethlehem (PDF | 2mb)

17^th Dec 2020 – Advent 3: walking in hope – Luke 2: 1-6

Third in the "Hope and Joy" Advent/Epiphany series, this issue sees Mary and Joseph responding to the census call and travelling to Bethlehem, even though Mary is heavily pregnant. Will they find a place to stay?

census / augustus / quirinius / Bethlehem / nativity / journey / no room in the inn / stable / manger

10th Dec 2020 – Advent 2: Sharing the hope - Luke 1: 26-56, Matthew 1: 19-24 - Angels (PDF | 3mb)

10^th Dec 2020 – Advent 2: sharing the hope - Luke 1 verses 26-56 and Matthew 1 verses 19-24

Angels appear to both Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth, telling them of two impending births.

Gabriel / angel / messenger / Mary / Joseph / Elizabeth / John / baby / Jesus / nativity / Christmas / Annunciation

3rd Dec 2020 – Advent 1: Promises of hope - Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:2-3 & 6, Micah 5:12 & 4-5 (PDF | 2mb)

3^rd Dec 2020 – Advent 1: promises of hope - Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:2-3 & 6, Micah 5:12 & 4-5

The birth of the Messiah is prophesied by several Old Testament Prophets

Prophet / prophesy / light / darkness / Old Testament / scripture / Christmas / nativity / Advent

26th Nov 2020 – Love is……….so what? – 1 Corinthians 13 - Love is... (PDF | 2mb)

26^th Nov 2020 – Love is……….so what? – 1 Corinthians 13

In Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth he talks about the nature of Love and that God IS Love - but it's all very well believing in God and saying God is love, do our actions and attitudes match our words?

love / positive / kindness / patience / self-control / teaching / epistle / letter

19th Nov 2020 – Firm foundations in shaky times – Matthew 7: 24-28 - wise and foolish (PDF | 2mb)

19^th Nov 2020 – Firm foundations in shaky times – Matthew 7: 24-28

Jesus told a parable about a wise and a foolish builder. One built on rock and the other on sand. Where do we put our trust? Do we build on solid foundations, the foundation of God's word?

parable / teaching / builder / wise and foolish / rock and sand / foundations / decisions / trust / faith / condidence

12th Nov 2020 – Stand firm with God – Ephesians 6: 10-18 - armour of God (PDF | 2mb)

12^th Nov 2020 – Stand firm with God – Ephesians 6: 10-18

Paul writes to the Christians in Ephasus and tells them that their faith is like an armour that will protect and strengthen them in adversity.

epistle / letter / church / advice / armour / breastplate / sword and shield / sandals /

5th Nov 2020 – Abigail: peacemaker – 1 Samuel 25:1-35 – Abigail (PDF | 1mb)

5^th Nov 2020 – Abigail: peacemaker – 1 Samuel 25:1-35

Abigail meets David's army and brokers peace between David and her husband Nabal, who had stolen from David and insulted him. How can we follow her example and be peacemakers too?

intervention / intercession / peace / peacemaker / sacrifice / war / example

29th Oct 2020 – God is……….. – 1 Kings 18: 20-39 - Elijah and Baal (PDF | 2mb)

29^th Oct 2020 – God is……….. – 1 Kings 18: 20-39

Elijah challenges the prophets of the false god Baal to a contest and defeats them, showing that God is the only true god.

Baal / Elijah / prayer / altar / sacrifice / proof / truth / nature of God

22nd Oct 2020 – More than you asked for – Acts 3: 1-11 - Healing at beautiful gate (PDF | 2mb)

22^nd Oct 2020 – More than you asked for – Acts 3: 1-11

A lame beggar asks Peter and John for money, but receives more than he expected - he is healed. God's goodness is limitless!

miracle / disciples / Beautiful Gate / lame / healing / begging / faith / Holy Spirit

15th Oct 2020 – Keep your eyes on Jesus – Matthew 14: 22-34 - walking on water (PDF | 2mb)

15^th Oct 2020 – keep your eyes on Jesus – Matthew 14: 22-34

When Peter is in his fishing boat, he sees Jesus walking towards him on the water. He leaps out and walks towards Jesus, but the minute he takes his eyes off Jesus, he sinks.

Fishermen / trust / faith / miracle / fear

9th Oct 2020 – Celebrate and thanks – Leviticus 23: 42-43 - Sukkoth (PDF | 2mb)

9^th Oct 2020 – Celebrate and thanks – Leviticus 23: 42-43

Sukkoth is the Jewish festival of Booths which is linked to the Christian celebration of Harvest, thanking God for all the good gifts we are given.

Celebration / festivals / thanks /thanksgiving / sukkot / harvest

1st Oct 2020 – God’s rainbow – Genesis 7-9 - Noah (PDF | 2mb)

1st Oct 2020 – God’s rainbow – Genesis 7-9

Following the flood, Noah and the animals finally step out onto dry land, trusting in God's promise that they would be safe. The rainbow reminds us of God's promise that God will love and care for us if we accept that promise and become God's people.

Noah's Ark / flood / safety / animals / anger / disobedience / promise / rainbow / blessing

24th Sept 2020 – It’s the small things – Luke 13: 18-19 - Mustard seed (PDF | 2mb)

24^th Sept 2020 – It’s the small things – Luke 13: 18-19

Jesus tells his followers that faith is like a mustard seed that grows from a small beginning into a mighty tree. A tiny bit of faith is enough for a starter.

faith / mustard seed / growth / trust / parable / simile / teaching

17th Sept 2020 – Round the table – 1 Kings 3 - Wisdom of Solomon (PDF | 1mb)

17^th Sept 2020 – Round the table – 1 Kings 3

Solomon could have asked God for any gift, but he asked for Wisdom. He uses his wisdom when two women come arguing over a baby.

wisdom / decisions / justice / betrayal / trick / blessing

10th Sept 2020 – Looking back, moving forward – Exodus 13: 17-22 - pillar of cloud and fire (PDF | 2mb)

10^th Sept 2020 – Looking back, moving forward – Exodus 13: 17-22

The people of God have escaped slavery in Egypt and are wandering the desert. God sends a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to lead them to a new land.

Exodus / Red sea / pillar of cloud / pillar of fire / column / desert / wilderness / Israel / Hebrews / following / faith

3rd Sept 2020 – Don’t stop the children – Mark 10: 13-14 (PDF | 4mb)

3^rd Sept 2020 – Don’t stop the children – Mark 10: 13-14

Jesus intervenes when the disciples try to stop the children in the crowd getting through to him. The kingdom of heaven is for those who come to Jesus like a child.

disciples / teaching / children / kingdom of heaven / childlike / approach

27th Aug 2020 – Sing out: a song of WOW – Psalm 104 (PDF | 2mb)

27^th Aug 2020 – Sing out: a song of WOW – Psalm 104

This is a song written by David about the wonders of creation and how amazing God is. How can we get closer to God through creation?

creation/ environment / world / nature / wonder / awe / song / adoration

20th Aug 2020 – What do you bring? – John 6 - feeding the multitude (PDF | 2mb)

20^th Aug 2020 – What do you bring? – John 6

Jesus performs a miracle with what a small boy brings to the mix - the donation of his lunch, at the risk of going short himself, enables Jesus to feed thousands.

miracle / offering / donation / gift / service / multitude / helping / children / blessing

13th Aug 2020 – Wise words – The book of Proverbs (PDF | 2mb)

13^th Aug 2020 – Wise words – The book of Proverbs

Solomon was known for being wise and wrote many proverbs, along with proverbs from other people, with advice for living wisely. Some are sound, some are a bit out of place today, but there is a lot to learn from wise words.

Solomon / wisdom / advice / proverbs / quotes / suggestions

6th Aug 2020 – Nothing’s impossible in God’s time – John 11 - Lazarus (PDF | 2mb)

6^th Aug 2020 – Nothing’s impossible in God’s time – John 11

Jesus doesn't respond straight away when he hears his friend is sick and by the time he gets there, Lazarus has died. But the family's prayers haven't gone unanswered, it is just that the answer is coming in God's time, not theirs.

resurrection / healing / friendship / miracle / Lazarus / Mary and Martha / Bethany / tomb / death / prayer

30th July 2020 – Be, look, listen, DO. – Matthew 25: 31-45 - sheep and goats (PDF | 2mb)

30^th July 2020 – Be, look, listen, DO. – Matthew 25: 31-45

Jesus warns about judgement and says that people will be separated like sheep being separated from goats, depending on how they acted towards others. Whatever we do for others, we are doing for Jesus.

teaching / separation / judgement / death / heaven / social action / justice / blessing

23rd July 2020 – Work in progress – Ezra/ Nehemiah - building the temple (PDF | 2mb)

23^rd July 2020 – Work in progress – Ezra/ Nehemiah

The prophets Ezra and Nehemiah each had a job to do for God - by rebuilding the temple, they were to help rebuild the people's relationship with God.

prophet / temple / plans / building / project / prophesy / messenger / architect / Babylon / Jerusalem

16th July 2020 – Let’s get right to the point. – John 8: 2-22 - Woman committing adultery (PDF | 3mb)

16^th July 2020 – Let’s get right to the point. – John 8: 2-22

When the crowd are intent on stoning a woman who was caught doing wrong, Jesus says that anyone who has never done anything wrong can go first. The crowd disappear. They are pointing the finger, but he gets right to the point about forgiveness and grace.

teaching / adultery / sin / forgiveness / accusation / stoning / punishment / judgement

9th July 2020 – Whatever next? – Exodus 7/8/14 - plagues in Egypt (PDF | 3mb)

9^th July 2020 – Whatever next? – Exodus 7/8/14

The Israelites are captive in Egypt and God sends Moses to ask Pharaoh to free them. But Pharaoh isn't keen on losing his workforce until God sends a series of plagues to persuade him to change his mind.

Red Sea / Exodus / Hebrew / slavery / persecution / plague / death / waiting / desert / Passover / journey

2nd July 2020 – Put legs on your prayers – Mark 2: 1-12 - paralysed man (PDF | 2mb)

2^nd July 2020 – Put legs on your prayers – Mark 2: 1-12

Four friends carry their paralysed friend to Jesus but can't get past the crowd. So they think outside the box, climb the stairs, break through the roof, and lower their friend down to Jesus' feet. Their efforts bring healing.

Miracle / friendship / disciples / social action / justice / healing / helping

25th June 2020 – Glimpses of God – Revelation 21: 1-5 - New Heaven, New Earth (PDF | 2mb)

25^th June 2020 – Glimpses of God – Revelation 21: 1-5

The Book of Revelation is a strange vision with lots of symbolism about God and Heaven. This passage gives a glimpse of what life in God's Kingdom might be like. What glimpses of God do we get in our everyday lives?

vision / revelation / judgement / re-creation / imagery / kingdom / fresh start / heaven

18th June 2020 – Chosen too – Mark 1: 16-19/ 2: 13-14/ 3: 13-19 - choosing disciples (PDF | 2mb)

18^th June 2020 – Chosen too – Mark 1: 16-19/ 2: 13-14/ 3: 13-19

In these passages, Jesus chooses his closest friends, his disciples. He calls us to follow him too.

calling / vocation / disciple / discipleship / friends

11th June 2020 – Chosen one – 1 Samuel 16/ Psalm 139 - David becomes king (PDF | 2mb)

11^th June 2020 – Chosen one – 1 Samuel 16/ Psalm 139

God chooses all sorts of people to be disciples, and God told Samuel that David was the one who would be king, even though David was a really young shepherdboy and the youngest in his family. But God knows us and has plans for us.

choose / disciple / discipleship / annoint / plans / future / potential / calling / vocation

4th June 2020 – 70x7 = forgiveness – Matthew 18: 21-35 (PDF | 2mb)

4^th June 2020 – 70x7 = forgiveness – Matthew 18: 21-35

When Jesus is asked how many times you should forgive, he says a really big number, really meaning that you should never stop forgiving because God doesn't stop forgiving us. Jesus tells a story about forgiveness.

story / parable / teaching / forgiveness / debt / mercy / grace

28th May 2020 – Pentecost power – Acts 2 - Coming of Holy Spirit (PDF | 2mb)

28^th May 2020 – Pentecost power – Acts 2

Jesus has ascended into heaven and the disciples feel alone and afraid.... until their lives are changed by the Holy Spirit.

pentecost / languages / tongues / fire / wind / holy spirit / holy ghost / promise / power

21 May 2020 – The roller-coaster of emotions – Jonah 1 and 2 (PDF | 2mb)

21 May 2020 – The roller-coaster of emotions – Jonah 1 and 2

This story is a real roller coaster, as Jonah tries to avoid doing what God asks and ends up inside a big fish. Life can be full of different emotions but God is always there to support us and guide us.

obedience / emotions / trust / changes / adversity / prophet / mission / Ninevah / whale / fish /

14th May 2020 – Never the wrong time to do the right thing – Mark 3: 1-6 - Sabbath (PDF | 2mb)

14^th May 2020 – Never the wrong time to do the right thing – Mark 3: 1-6

Healing is needed, but it's not allowed on the Sabbath. What will Jesus do? Are the rules more important than helping someone in need?

emotions / plot / healing / rules / Sabbath / crippled / withered /

7th May 2020 – Sing out: God is in charge – Psalm 93 - God is King (PDF | 2mb)

7^th May 2020 – Sing out: God is in charge – Psalm 93

In this psalm, David sings out that God is in control, is king, is in charge and sees God's hand in everything around him. Can we sing a similar song?

psalm / song / king / reign / lord / in charge / control / creation / adoration

30th April 2020 – Be the star you are – Book of Esther (PDF | 2mb)

30^th April 2020 – Be the star you are – Book of Esther

Esther is chosen to be the queen, even though she is a Jew, but evil Mordecai plots to have the Jews destroyed. Esther is the only person who can intervene, but she will have to be brave and trust in God.

trust / risks / persecution / faith / injustice / justice / discrimination / diversity / courage

23rd April 2020 – You are not lost – Luke 15: 1-7 - Lost Sheep (PDF | 2mb)

23^rd April 2020 – You are not lost – Luke 15: 1-7

In this parable, Jesus compares God to a shepherd who will do everything in his power to bring home those who stray away from God's care. Even when we feel lost or alone, God loves us and values us and will envelop us in love.

Coronavirus / Covid / lost sheep /good shepherd / 99 / ninety-nine / sheepfold / value / God's love

16th April 2020 – Listening to God – Exodus 3 - Burning Bush (PDF | 1mb)

16^th April 2020 – Listening to God – Exodus 3

Moses is hiding in the desert but God appears to him in a burning bush and tells him there's a job in store for him. God calls us for all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of ways, so how do we listen for God?

holy place / burning bush / Moses / calling / vocation / God's voice / listening / I AM

9h April 2020 – A supper to remember – Matthew 26: 17-30 - Last Supper (PDF | 1mb)

9^h April 2020 – A supper to remember – Matthew 26: 17-30

Before he died, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his friends and shared bread and wine with them, saying that they should always remember him when they ate together like that. It was the first communion.

Passover / teaching / communion / Eucharist / sacrament / bread and wine / last supper / upper room / remembrance / sharing / Easter / Holy Week

The post Families on Faith Adventures at Home appeared first on United Reformed Church.

New Freedoms, Same Responsibilities: Synod Moderators’ advice to congregations

URC Admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 12:19:21 +0000

As the Governments in England, Scotland and Wales move towards reducing or ending Coronavirus restrictions on Places of Worship, the Synod Moderators offer the following guidance to congregations of the United Reformed Church.

We remind churches of the Great Commandments: to love God with our whole being and love our neighbour as we love ourselves. All our actions must therefore be aimed at glorifying God and showing continuing care for others. We cannot cast off all restraint and still fulfil those commandments.��It is therefore fully appropriate for us to continue some of the practices with which we have become familiar.
Elders’ Meetings (and equivalents) must regularly review their Risk Assessment and put in place mitigations appropriate to their current circumstances, context, and activities, which might include continued social distancing and/or wearing face coverings amongst other measures. You must maintain a safe workplace for Ministers, staff and volunteers. This could usefully become a standing agenda item.
Remember those who remain clinically vulnerable or anxious – what measures will you put in place for them – hybrid worship, separate services where current restrictions are maintained, “safer zones” in church (with social distancing and face coverings), or something else?
We encourage everyone to continue the practice of washing or sanitising hands when they arrive for worship and other activities. We would expect this to apply to external users as well as for church activities to reduce the possibility of virus transmission through touch points.
Similarly, maintain a careful cleaning routine, especially at touch points such as doors, hand rails, switches, etc.
These hygiene measures were shown to be effective at reducing a range of respiratory viruses (colds, ‘flu), not just Covid-19. It will be a good thing to show love to others through minimising risk to their health, however minor the illness might be for most people.
As legal requirements to wear face coverings in public buildings (which include churches) are ended, we ask churches to consider whether it is appropriate to encourage their continued use inside our buildings. Many churches are difficult to ventilate effectively. We know that the longer we are in closed rooms, the greater the build-up of the virus and therefore risk of transmission, even to those who are vaccinated.
The scientific evidence on the risks of Covid-19 transmission from singing is not finally settled. Preliminary data show that singing inside, especially in rooms without adequate ventilation, DOES increase the build-up of aerosol particles. Singing together is one aspect of worship that most have us have missed greatly. Therefore, we encourage churches to continue with a risk-managed approach to congregational singing. Consider singing whilst wearing face coverings. If infection rates increase locally, it will be better to keep to shorter acts of worship and include less congregational singing or if necessary, pause congregational singing again.
The Moderators respect every individual’s right to choose whether they be vaccinated. However, we encourage people to get fully vaccinated unless there are medical reasons why they should not. Vaccination massively reduces both the risk of illness and that of passing the virus on to others. Vaccines are not, however, 100% effective. There are known cases of people contracting Covid-19 even after receiving two doses of the vaccine. We must therefore each take responsibility to do our part in keeping other people safe.

“For you were called to freedom…only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.”�� (Galatians 5:13 NRSV)

The Synod Moderators

Download this guidance

New Freedoms Same Responsibilities (PDF | 104kb)
New Freedoms Same Responsibilities (Word | 16kb)

Photo: Clarissa Watson/Unsplash

The post New Freedoms, Same Responsibilities: Synod Moderators’ advice to congregations appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Coronavirus - United Reformed Church

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