Ministers' Pages

URC THAMES NORTH SYNOD

MINISTER'S PAGES

Ministers' Messageboard

URGENT REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR VITIMISED ASYLUM SEEKER

12th Sept Racial Justice Sunday click here 4 ideas!

ECUMENICAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT MINISTER for Wixams, Bedfordshire

Wixams Job Description and Person profile

"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

No Accommodation Network, London Group Hosting Workshop "How to offer hospitality to the strangers within our gates" Praxis, Pott Street, London, E2 0EF 10:00 followed by lunch More details here

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 14.03.2010

New Materials for Ascension and Pentecost

These materials are now on the site with a few more items due to appear to help you plan ahead for Ascension and Pentecost. Keep looking out for some new and interesting ideas. New materials for summer use should also be there during May. All the resources can be accessed by going to the Vision4Life website at www.vision4life.org.uk

Keep on praying and using the wealth of resources on the website.

With every blessing
The Vision4Life Steering Group

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
info@gaffertape.biz
www.gaffertape.biz
Registered Company No. 05978577

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

AREA PAGES HERE

MULTI-FAITH PAGES HERE

SILENT DAYS AND RETREATS PAGES HERE

URBAN CHURCHES SUPPORT GROUP PAGES HERE

or Click here for Urban Churches' Support Group webpages

racial justice pages here

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

Click below for Synod's January Mailing

a - Covering Letter

b - Mailing content

Financial notice: Rate for Synod loans, including car loans from 01/01/2010: 2.75%

CYDO See here to contact

SIMON RUDIGER

NEW TRAINING 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

"They say a picture paints a thousand words ... thanks to the friendly experts at Community Productions our new video paints a million!"
- St James's Church 2009

The media we create can be used in a variety of ways:

Check out the Multi Cultural Minitries Toolkit details here Page 1 and Page 2

Synod Guidelines for Lay Preachers' Fees 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 2. Form G1 THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AND REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COSTS OF CONTINUING MINISTERIAL EDUCATION

Form 3. Form R1 THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CONTINUING MINISTERIAL EDUCATION REPORT

Form 4. Lay Development Fund Application Form

FORMS FOR MOVEMENT OF MINISTERS

The forms below are in stipulated formats and should not be altered in any way. should you have any enquiries with regards to the forms, please, contact Mrs Sue Russell, Moderator's and Synod Clerk's PA (tel: 020 7799 5000)

Form 1. Movement of Ministers (Instructions)

Form 2. Minister's Personal Profile Summary

Form 3. Pastorate Profile Summary

Commitment for Life - Climate Change - Stories for Change Click here

Churches together in Bedford Summer 2009 Newletter

Click here to ascertain the latest developments on registration of churches with the Charity Commission

Read the Faith Net East August E-Bulletin here

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:

• Easy self assessment for Boards to get you started

• 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.

Training for Lay People