URC THAMES NORTH SYNOD 

CHURCH SECRETARIES' PAGES
Secretaries' Messageboard
URGENT REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR VITIMISED ASYLUM SEEKER
12th Sept Racial Justice Sunday click here 4 ideas!
"Renewing Preaching is scheduled to take place at Westminster College between 20-23 June 2011. Do please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested. We're working on a leaflet which will included information about each of the speakers and the schedule of events. If you're interested in receiving this once it is complete, please just let me know. Kind regards, Emma Daniels College Office Manager PA to the Principal e-mail: ed365@cam.ac.uk phone: 01223 743 067 WESTMINSTER COLLEGE Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB0AA Reg. Charity no: 311449
Mini Series Organ Recitals, All Saints Church, Innmans Row, Woodford Green, IG8 0NH
Hello Friends
This is a Group e-mail to all church secretaries and ministers and others who may find the following of interest:
Intercultural Theology and Practice Conference
Who are WE? Identities and Belonging in the United Reformed Church
Tuesday 26th October to Wednesday 27th October Northern College, Luther King House, Manchester
Dear All
In 2005 the United Reformed Church declared:
“The United Reformed Church declares itself to be a Multicultural Church welcoming all cultures and ethnicities in worship, witness and service, and celebrating the diverse gifts of the whole people of God for the mission and ministry God calls us to”
Using the above declaration as a starting point, it is hoped that the programme will provide plenty to think about. There will be a keynote speaker and a variety of short papers / presentations on the theme "Who are we? Identity[ies] and Belonging in the United Reformed Church".
The deadline for registration is Friday 1st October but, please note, PLACES ARE LIMITED!! To avoid disappointment, please click on the link below and return your form to michael.jagessar@urc.org.uk as soon as possible. (Thirteen people are already registered!)
Any other information you require, please contact Michael Jagessar on 020 7916 8655 or email.
Look forward to hearing from you . . .
Limited places . . . please register using the booking form – link below
http://www.urc.org.uk/what_we_do/rjmm/docs/InterCulTheoConfRegis2010
PA to Secretary for Mission
PA to Secretary for Racial Justice & Multicultural Ministry
T: 020 7916 8655
F: 020 7916 2021
E: mission-rjmm.pa@urc.org.uk
tracey.hardingham@urc.org.uk
A: Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RT
http://www.urc.org.uk/rjmm
http://www.urc.org.uk/what_we_do/mission/mission
Rev'd Anne Sardeson MA
Thames North Synod
Training & Development Officer
86 James Lane
London E10 6HL
07979520308
training@urcthamesnorth.org.uk
EAST OF ENGLAND FAITHS GROUP - IT ASSISTANCE - SEE POSTER HERE
Do you know of any church or congregation who might benefit from the following silver plate items currently held at Synod office? Contact Sandhya Pinn, Office Administrator on 020 7799 6000 8 plates and one plate on small stand
Synod Mailing
a - Covering Letter
b - Second list of amendments to Year Book 2010
c - MA in Pastoral Theology in Chelmsford (1)
d - MA in Pastoral Theology in Chelmsford (2)
e - CYDO Spring 2010 Newsletter
f - UCSG Spring 2010 Newsletter
g - Preaching the Gospel in the 21st Century - University of Winchester (1)
h - Preaching the Gospel in the 21st Century - University of Winchester (2)
i - Certificate in Inter Faith Relations September 2010 - June 2012
j - Synod Minutes from 13.3.2010
30th October Urban Churches' Support Group Church Secretaries' Consultation at Southern Synod Crossway URC, 10:30-13:00 "How to make my church a volounteer magnet!" A follow-up to the previous session on 5th June with a view to looking at the multicultural dimensions to teh issue. More detail in UCGS Spring Newsletter here

Radical Church Challenging Communities
DEVELOPING COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES One-year TLS programme
Please find attached a flyer advertising the forthcoming Radical Church Challenging Communities learning and development programme. Please would you kindly circulate these around your networks and encourage people to consider taking part in this excellent programme.
This programme is particularly relevant to volunteers involved with church-based community service, projects or activities from any denomination; ministers / vicars / priests engaged with community ministry; or anyone already active in their local neighbourhood or wishing to become more active with local community initiatives and organisations.
The aims of this programme are to develop an understanding of community development principles and practices in order to stimulate informed and practical engagement from a faith perspective. It is designed to:
· inform and enable reflection on a variety of approaches to community work with particular emphasis on Community Development Work
· give practical experience of community work and equip participants to engage in such work in their own faith and community settings.
· inspire and stimulate engagement with communities and within neighbourhoods as an expression of the mission of God.
Some of the many issues explored include Partnership Working, Personal Skills for Community Development, Theologies of Engagement, Working with Volunteers, Project Planning and Fresh Expressions of Church………..
While we hope that participants will sign up for the complete TLS programme which includes local tutor groups, study materials and ongoing support, participants are able to register to attend the 4 weekends only at a reduced rate. Please encourage applications for either of these options by 31st May 2010.
For further information about the Radical Church Challenging Communities, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Lawrence chrisalawrence@mac.com or 07905 946779 (office hours)
If you would like printed copies or a pdf version of the flyer, please contact Megan Morris at crcw@urc.org.uk
THEATRE WEEK
We are writing to you to let you know about our forthcoming Theatre Week event and to ask if it would be possible for you to pass on the details to any young people in your Synod.
Theatre Week, as you may be aware, is an ecumenical annual youth theatre event run by the Christian performing arts organisation, Faith, hope & gaffertape. Theatre Week originally began as an initiative of the United Reformed Church but has been running as an independent event since being taken over by the current directors in 2004. We are still proud to be supported by the URC and seek to work as closely as possible with you. Most of the young people who attend our events are members of FURY.
Theatre Week is a residential youth event for 16-25year olds. The challenge is to prepare a show from auditions to final performance in just one week! This year we will be preparing the Disney favourite, Beauty and the Beast. We need singers, dancers, actors, musicians, prop-makers and backstage crew for this musical extravaganza!
I have attached a promotional poster but can send you hard copies if that would be useful. More details below.
Date: Friday 30th July – Friday 6th August 2010
Venues: Rehearsals @ The Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings, Northants
Performances @ The Cripps Hall Theatre, Northampton School for Boys
Cost: £160 Full Board (including a show hoody)
Age range: 16 - 25yrs
Contact: info@gaffertape.biz
Please feel free to also pass this on to your Children and Youth Development Officer. Many thanks Caroline Flint (nee Mead) Faith, hope & gaffertape
Click here for introductory letter AND here for poster
Click here to read Geoffrey's March 2010 Mailing
a - Covering letter
b - London Churches' Refugee Network April Meeting Flier
c - Telegraph Letter - The Revd J Marsh
SILENT DAYS AND RETREATS PAGES HERE
URBAN CHURCHES SUPPORT GROUP PAGES HERE
or Click here for Urban Churches' Support Group webpages
PASTORAL CONSULTANTS' PAGES HERE
Click here to read about Disability Network
The Windermere Centre 2010 Programme
I have just spent the weekend re-vamping and updating the Centre website with the 2010 Programme details. If you click on the Programme 2010 page in the navigation bar, you’ll be able to use a special new feature: you can read the programme and the brochures as a booklet online. It’s much more convenient than having to scroll through a document!
Please look through the Programme and see if there’s anything that would benefit you or your Church. You’ll see details of courses related specifically to Vision4Life, as well as others. Some of those are geared towards the Year of Prayer; others anticipate and prepare you for the Year of Evangelism.
If you’re thinking about establishing a Church website, look at what iChurch has to offer. If you want to stay up to date with news from the site, use the subscription button in the sidebar.
We spend a great deal of time (and money!) putting together courses that will resource you and your Church in mission. Please use the Centre; after all, it’s your place! So see what 2010 has got to offer ... and please, spread the word!
With every best wish
Lawrence
Lawrence Moore
Director, The Windermere Centre
Direct line: (015394) 40983
http://windermere.urc.org.uk
http://lectionary.wolsblog.com
Do something positive this Lent Click here for more information
Click below for Synod's January Mailing
a - Covering Letter
b - Mailing content
SIMON RUDIGERTRAINING OFFICER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See here to contact

The Revd. Anne Sardeson
Click on images above to find out more about "Training for Learning and Serving"
and here for latest TLS Financial Arrangements information
TLS Messageboard:At the management meeting on 8th October, 2009, it was decided to change to closing date for TLS applications to 31st May in the hope of making it easier to find tutors before summer holidays begin. As now late applicants will be accommodated.
Would you like to promote your church by means of video and by video clips on your local church websites? Click below to see how you might achieve your goals
Click here for Synod's December Mailing
What's the latest from Vison4Life - Update Bulletin for Advent Sunday
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BEDFORDSHIRE AUTUMN NEWSLETTER
Click here to ascertain the latest developments on registration of churches with the Charity Commission
Click here to read Geoffrey's February 2010 Mailing
Click here to read Geoffrey's January 2010 Mailing
a - Covering letter
d - London Churches' Refugee Network Dates 2010
e - London Churches' Refugee Network January Meeting Flier
Click here to read Geoffrey's December 2009 Mailing
a - Covering letter
b - Outcry
Click here to read Geoffrey's November 2009 Mailing
a - Covering letter
b - Far Right Politics and the Church
d - St Francis of Assisi Lecture
e - Companions of St Andrew's at London Inter Faith Centre
Click here for Synod's July Mailing
Click here to read Geoffrey's October 2009 Mailing
a - Covering letter
b - Flier for Health and Poverty Seminar 29/10/09
c - Flier - Deprtation Issues for the Local Church Conference 21/01/10
d - BID Childrens Society report on Deportation of Children
Click here to read Geoffrey's September 2009 Mailing
Click here to read Geoffrey's July 2009 Mailing
Employment Newsletter - Summer, 2009 from Carla Watts Click here
Click here for Synod's Additional May Mailing re Vision 2020
Click here for Synod's May Mailing
Click here for Geoffrey's May Mailing
Click here for Geoffrey's April Mailing
Click here for Synod's March Mailing
Click here for Geoffrey March Mailing
Click here for Synod's February Mailing
Click here for Geoffrey Duncan's February Mailing