URC THAMES NORTH SYNOD 
URC THAMES NORTH SYNOD
Development & Training
The Revd Anne Sardeson
Seeking Campaign Companions
All 13 URC Synods have now had a first introduction to a campaign of radical welcome which local congregations are being invited to consider.
As URC congregations and LEPs all over Britain begin to take their first steps to becoming radically welcoming churches, they’ll need Companions to help them on the journey.
If you believe in this project – and feel that you want to offer your help and support – being a Companion is a wonderful way to do so. Your role is to accompany an individual church (not your own place of worship) through the deep process in which it may safely explore and, probably, embrace both the desire and the preparation to be recognized as a campaign church. The activities that you get involved with will depend on what’s needed, although it’s likely to include facilitating meetings with individuals and groups as suggested by the church concerned, or sometimes giving feedback after listening in on discussions that are taking place.
The amount of time which you devote to the role of Companion will be influenced by the context of the church you accompany and your own availability, and this will be negotiated at an early stage. It is likely to require some evening and weekend involvement, over a period of up to four months.
You don’t have to be a theologian or a minister – you only need a firm conviction that the love of Jesus is meant equally for everyone - the urge to witness to that belief, and to find out more about how the campaign works.
Campaign churches can’t explore their full potential without a Companion; so it’s important that each has that impartial, steady, faithful friend to guide them through the reflection, prayer, discussion and covenant which are all parts of the process.
Maybe you know someone who you think would be suitable – or perhaps you would consider it yourself?
Even if you belong to a church that is not yet committed to the idea of the campaign, you could be helping another church which is.
If you’re intrigued, contact Denese Chikwendu at 0207 691 9864 or denese.chikwendu@urc.org.uk to get a Companion’s role description.
CAMPAIGN INFO TRAINING SHEET HERE
"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
EAST OF ENGLAND FAITHS GROUP - IT ASSISTANCE - SEE POSTER HERE
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and here for latest TLS Financial Arrangements information
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Ongoing Training
University of Hertfordshire courses HERE
EM3 Forms
Where possible EM3 forms should be emailed to Sue Russell, Moderator's and Synod Clerk's PA and only Assembly accredited Lay Preachers may claim - District accredited or "informal" Lay Preachers may be able to claim through the Lay Development Fund The R1 is supposed to be completed by all ministers following any EM3 study event.
Form1. Form A4 The United Reformed Church Education and Learning Committee Application for approval and reimbursement of the costs of continuing education for Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers
Form 3. Form R1 THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CONTINUING MINISTERIAL EDUCATION REPORT
Form 4. Lay Development Fund Application Form
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and here for latest TLS Financial Arrangements information
Trustee Training
Click here for Powerpoint presentation of "Trustee Training - a training module for Ministers and Elders."
Click here for accompanying Trustee Handouts The Handouts were for Synod Exec and are more by way of "further reading" material more relevant to Board-driven Trust bodies so may be of interest more to, say, separate registered charities running community centres within church premises and for those who would like to explore Trusteeship more deeply:
•Simple assessment to get you started “Board Assessment. • Checklists for future action/discussion• Trustee sample person specifications and officer job descriptions • Board Leadership • The Board in control • “Governance Hub ” Publications • Prime site/Publication Recommendations for further reading and research.
Upcoming Training Sessions