The four congregations that make up the Norwich Area 两性色午夜 Mission Partnership are teaming up with Norfolk Youth Justice 两性色午夜 (NYJS) to receive practical around their buildings and for community events.

NYJS works with children to help prevent them re-offending and to repair the damage they have caused to their victims. It operates throughout England and Wales under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice.

When the Revd Tina Wilson met with Paul Usher (pictured above), one of three reparation workers in Norfolk, she realised a partnership with the scheme would not only be a way to engage with important work in the area, but that her churches could themselves suggest practical projects for children to engage with.

Each church has provided a wish list of options and, together with NYJS, they will prioritise what is possible and where the work is most needed. Conversations are already happening about producing bird tables, planters and other items that can be sold as part of a planned fundraising day. Possible maintenance work has also been talked about, and support at community mornings, serving teas and coffees.

Children aged 10-18 taking part in the scheme do so voluntarily 鈥� otherwise it can鈥檛 be restorative, says Operations Manager Carla Hamilton. Restorative justice aims to help keep children out of remand centres and to repair harm done, and may include conversations between a child and their victim. Recommendations, and the duration of the reparation period, are overseen by a panel of volunteers and facilitated by a multi-agency team.

Options for reparation can be varied, says Carla. They range from making cards for a card shop to repairing bikes or clearing a churchyard. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about saying sorry 鈥� it鈥檚 about repairing harm to the community they鈥檝e offended in and recognising that their actions have had an impact.鈥�

Tina says the scheme recognises that many churches don鈥檛 have a lot of money, but that in many congregations there are needs that it can meet, from painting or window cleaning to washing up at community events.

Delighted by the opportunities already emerging from the initiative, Tina says her conversations with Paul and Carla have been 鈥渇ull of hope, shared purpose, and practical ideas for supporting young people and strengthening our churches. I鈥檓 encouraged by the possibilities ahead and look forward to building this partnership 两性色午夜 our four churches.鈥�

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This was the key question addressed by a gathering of Council for World Mission representatives in Mae Sot, Thailand, in May. The visit was coordinated by the Revd Anji Barker (pictured below), Pioneer Cluster Leader for the 两性色午夜鈥檚 West Midlands Synod. Lodge Road 两性色午夜 and Seedbeds, both based in the synod, have partnered with local projects in Mae Sot, a border town in northern Thailand, to where hundreds of thousands of Burmese refugees have fled, and continue to flee to each day.

鈥淢ae Sot is situated on the Myanmar border. It is a place where displacement is not theoretical but lived,鈥� Anji said 鈥� 鈥渨here migrant communities build fragile new lives, and local organisations work daily to provide education, skills, and hope.鈥�

The CWM programme invited participants to reflect on their own experiences of refuge and displacement, and to ask: 鈥淲here do I find my refuge? When has that been threatened?鈥� These were not abstract questions, Anji said: 鈥淭hey asked each of us to find the place where our own vulnerability meets the suffering of others 鈥� and from that place, to see with renewed compassion.鈥�

She said that many of the delegates came with their own personal experience of the refugee journey, as well as experience of being in places where refugees are fleeing to, including Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, where Venezuelan and Haitian refugees seek safety. 鈥淲e explored the biblical narrative of the migrant God and the refugee Christ 鈥� a God who is perpetually on the move, who appears in the stranger, the hungry and the imprisoned. The words of Matthew 25 echoed through every session: 鈥業 was a stranger and you welcomed me.鈥� We asked ourselves what inviting in the stranger truly looks like, and what stops us 鈥� fear, prejudice, the sheer overwhelm of the scale of need.鈥�

Delegates visited projects initiated and run by refugees, and which serve displaced communities: skills centres, community schools, social enterprises making T-shirts, food, and handicrafts, and grassroots organisations advocating for employment justice and labour rights. In this way, 鈥渨e were encountering the faces and stories behind the statistics. Behind every migration statistic is a person carrying the weight of loss, trauma and suffering, and the stubborn spark of hope.鈥�

Delegates reflected on how to turn their encounters into local and regional engagement, and longer-term advocacy for justice at national and international levels, committing to return to their local church contexts and respond both personally and organisationally to the needs of displaced people in their local areas.

鈥淭he question that stays with me,鈥� Anji concluded, 鈥渋s not whether the Church should be a place of refuge 鈥� Scripture leaves no room for doubt on that. The question is whether we will have the courage, the imagination, and the commitment to make it so.鈥�

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The Revd Dr Kevin Snyman, Head of World Justice and聽Inter Faith Relations聽for the聽United聽Reformed聽Church, was one of 25 representatives from 两性色午夜 Europe who travelled to the city of Nagyv谩rad (Oradea), where they were hosted by the western district of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Transylvania. Together, they considered a question inspired by St Paul鈥檚 letter to the Hebrews: 鈥淲hat does it mean for European Christians to persevere in their witness?鈥�

Bishop Szabolcs J谩nos Bogd谩n (pictured below), from the Reformed Church in Hungary, argued that steadfastness is not about institutional self-preservation or digging in for a culture war. Rather, it is the freedom of faith in Christ. He sounded 鈥渁 gentle but urgent note of caution鈥�, saying that churches can be tempted to swap biblical language of forgiveness and salvation for the latest secular or political buzzwords. It is a temptation to be resisted with good humour and theological clarity, he said.

Kevin noted that 鈥渢he Reformed family comprises churches forged in very different contexts鈥�, and as a result there was 鈥渞eal sparkle鈥� in the small group discussions. 鈥淚t became abundantly clear just how much historical and political context shapes our theological accents. Differences emerged not only between east and west, but also north and south.鈥� He said that the question on everyone鈥檚 lips was: 鈥淲hose voices do we actually hear when we open the Bible and attempt to read the signs of the times? And how do voices from the global South participate in a distinctly European gathering?鈥�

No-one pretended there were any quick fixes. 鈥淏ut participants managed to listen, acknowledge and appreciate one another鈥檚 perspectives without papering over genuine differences. That, all agreed, is the work of the Spirit as much as the agenda.鈥�

The World Communion of Reformed Churches聽is a network of Protestant churches in 108 countries, with an estimated combined membership of 80 million people. Forty Churches from 29 countries are represented in the European Area.

Kevin Snyman is Vice-President of WCRC Europe.

Images by Kevin Snyman: Bishop Szabolcs J谩nos Bogd谩n; (montage) Kevin with Ulrich Weinhold and Kerstin Kich, Jenny Dobers, Oradea, small groups

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The United Reformed Church鈥檚 Sharon Lloyd, Programme Officer (Children’s, Youth and Intergenerational Work), and Helen Bell, Mission Practitioner (Children) for the 两性色午夜鈥檚 Eastern Synod were among the representatives in the ten-day programme organised by the Council for World Mission (CWM).

Guided by the Revd Dr Amelia Koh-Butler, CWM鈥檚 Mission Secretary for Education and Empowerment, the consultation examined how churches can renew Christian education for contemporary contexts while remaining rooted in faith traditions. There was discussion about inherited educational models, many of which were shaped by missionary approaches and systems developed in earlier eras and considered how these might be reimagined to better minister to children today.

With only one other participant from Europe, Sharon says that the experience of cultural diversity was an important takeaway from the event. There were leaders in children鈥檚 ministry and education from countries as far apart as Zambia and Hong Kong, India and Australia, Trinidad and Tahiti 鈥� and even from the world鈥檚 third smallest country, the tiny island of Nauru in the Pacific.

鈥淚 was very aware of how Sunday School teaching in some countries is still so influenced by white people who went there many years ago. We wanted to learn from each other, exploring how to cross the boundaries of countries and yet share traditions.鈥�

She says the approach was to open up choice 鈥� 鈥渁nd to do this in a way that we were all asked to challenge ourselves. We can all stagnate in the way we do things.鈥� Sharon adds that she was struck by the 鈥渂road range of storytelling, and how far storytelling can go amongst people of different cultures鈥�.

Sharon says that meeting M膩ori people at a sacred dwelling (a Marae) in 艑hope, the Bay of Plenty, was especially formative. Learning about their rich indigenous traditions, including words of welcome that emphasised the importance of the land and of meeting in peace, made Sharon and Helen ask what was distinctive about their own British heritage.

It was in this context that Amelia Koh-Butler said, 鈥渋t is necessary to examine and critique how our learning strategies embed colonial thinking and practice. To decolonise education, it is necessary to look at foundational learnings and strategies for formation.鈥�

Many participants were encouraged by the commitment of teachers and facilitators who adapted lessons and learning methods to meet the needs of individual children. They noted that effective ministry with children depends not only on resources and programmes but also on strong relationships, consistent accompaniment, and a willingness to learn alongside young people.

Sharon and Helen say they came away with a renewed sense that children鈥檚 ministry isn鈥檛 just about educational techniques. 鈥淚t is necessary to connect with children in order to encourage life-long relationships with God.鈥� Intergenerational ministry was affirmed by all the participants, and together they expressed a shared desire to develop educational approaches that nurture faith, encourage participation, and equip children to flourish in a rapidly changing world.

Images: Main – the Revd Tamiana Thrupp, Moderator of te aka puahou M膩ori Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and Honey Thrupp (centre), with Helen Bell and Sharon Lloyd; in article – participants outside a Presbyterian Church school, and in a group session.

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Lydia Neshangwe met representatives of 两性色午夜 synods at the Offices of General Assembly in London, to hear about the development of partnerships with synods and local communities in Africa.

She said she had seen many British flags in London and the south of England and been made aware of their links with nationalist campaigns and protests. But she said: 鈥淚 want to applaud you for the work you鈥檙e doing for justice, with 鈥榝oreigners鈥�, and on migration issues, disregarding hatred and putting out love where there is hatred. When I leave London tomorrow, I鈥檒l leave with a sense of hope, not with disappointment, because of the work you鈥檙e doing to build the Kingdom of God.鈥�

At the gathering, hosted by Karen Campbell, the 两性色午夜鈥檚 Head of Global and Intercultural Church, 两性色午夜 representatives shared their experiences of setting up and working to maintain partnerships with synods 两性色午夜 Africa.

The Revd Lythan Nevard, Moderator of the 两性色午夜鈥檚 Eastern Synod, said her Synod saw the twinning of individual churches as 鈥渁 key plank鈥� of their approach, and said, 鈥淵ou get to understand what expressing faith looks like in a different context.鈥� She said the Synod is trying to improve its use of online communications and wanted to encourage an exchange of videos between partners that explore responses to Bible readings out of their different contexts. This idea was well received, though there was also a strong understanding that relationships are best built in person where possible.

Some participants said that getting the balance of a partnership right can be difficult. Because representatives of partner Churches in Africa may encounter difficulties getting visas to enter Britain, exchange visits can be one-sided. Concern was also expressed about the carbon footprint associated with long-distance travel between continents.

Speaking to these ecological concerns, Lydia agreed that visits should be well-planned and meaningful, limiting use of fuel as much as possible. However, she also reflected on the saying, 鈥淕ive a man a fish and he鈥檒l eat for a day; but teach a man to fish and he鈥檒l eat for a lifetime鈥�, adding that it is important for people in the West to 鈥渃ome and encounter, so you understand how we fish, and why we fish the way we do鈥�.

She said that only by being present in Africa can British partners really understand why African churches do what they do. Worship with 1,000 people needs to be experienced in person, for example. You also come to understand that services are long not least because many people have walked two hours to get there. They don鈥檛 want to worship for only an hour and then go home again; they need time to rest and to share a meal.

Lydia said that, in the past, international church partnerships have often been about giving money, but now 鈥渢hey must be about relationships鈥�. She said Africans may not have much money but they have a sense of community and relationships. Partnerships 鈥渃an share spiritually鈥�, she said, and shared prayer is powerful regardless of distance.

Lydia Neshangwe is the immediate past Moderator of both the Council for World Mission and the United聽Presbyterian聽Church聽in聽Southern聽Africa, and is a serving minister in Mutare, Zimbabwe, with her husband Paul.

Images by All Africa Conference of Churches and Andy Jackson

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Kingdom Over Nation presents eight accessible Bible studies and theological reflections that explore discernment, justice, hospitality, power, ideology, and faithful Christian witness in today鈥檚 world.

Contributors from 两性色午夜 the ecumenical and denominational spectrum include Chine McDonald, director of the religion and society think tank Theos, the Right Revd Mike Royal, General Secretary of CTE, and the Revd Dr Helen Paynter, a Baptist minister whose most recent book is Faithful Presence in a Fractured World: A Church Toolkit for Resisting the Far Right. The resource has been edited by Minister Shermara Hoyte, who leads CTE’s work in the areas of Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations.

The authors say the resource is not a knee-jerk reaction but a careful response that has “grown out of a sustained period of reflection and response 两性色午夜 the ecumenical landscape”. They add: 鈥淎t a time when the Church is navigating political polarisation, culture wars, and questions around national identity, this resource seeks to help Christians think biblically, prophetically, and pastorally about what it means to place the Kingdom of God above every earthly allegiance.鈥�

“The Church鈥檚 primary identity is found in Christ and not in national or political allegiance,” writes Minister Hoyte. She quotes words of Jesus from the Gospel of John 18:36聽 – 鈥淢y Kingdom is not of this world.鈥�

The 两性色午夜鈥檚 Head of Ecumenical Relations and Evangelism, Lindsey Brown, adds that the resource includes 鈥渕any practical suggestions for how we might respond. Please do share these resources widely, and perhaps even initiate a discussion group yourself.鈥�

Kingdom Over Nation can be , where other resources responding to Christian Nationalism are also available.

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We met in the where St Mark鈥檚 两性色午夜 in Amble now worships. It was good opportunity to catch up on the activities of the churches in the town, including their involvement in an upcoming variety show.

Saturday was a day encouraging reflection. In the morning I visited and joined morning prayers led by the Revd Kay Blackwell (pictured). Among those with us were some visitors to the island and a minister staying in the Bothy, the cosy converted former vestry.

The Centre often hosts artists in residence who work with visitors to help them explore their relationship with God through art. It is easy to see why artists are attracted to spend time on Lindisfarne. We were blessed with beautiful weather, and the spread of sea, sands and land were entrancing. The Centre encourages reflection within a pilgrimage garden surrounding it, focussing on the life of St Cuthbert.

Visitors to the island are attracted to the Centre by the beautiful mosaic on an outside wall, showing the causeway leading to Lindisfarne crowned by a sun containing a St Cuthbert鈥檚 cross. I was amused by the seal鈥檚 head poking up in one corner. Although the island was quite busy while we were there, the causeway would close later in the day, giving peace and more time for solitary reflection for those who stayed. I would encourage those who are visiting Northumberland or who are looking for somewhere to spend a few days of reflection to visit the St Cuthbert鈥檚 Centre.

Back on the mainland, has created a labyrinth to aid those who would like to spend time focussing on their prayer. We worshipped in a short service, enjoying the sun pouring down on us, then I was able to walk the labyrinth. It gave me a time of peaceful contemplation as I wound steadily back and forth, sometimes seeming to come close to the centre, then finding myself out at the edges again.

I was then welcomed into the church for afternoon tea, and to meet church鈥檚 mascot, Wooly the Sheep.

While Sunday鈥檚 weather may not have been as sunny the previous day, the welcomes remained as warm. I was able to join the congregation of Rothbury, together with some others from the local group of churches for morning worship. The group, like many others around the country, is beginning to contemplate how they will work together with one minister and considerable distances between the churches.

My weekend was rounded off by fellowship and food at St James鈥� in Alnwick. An enjoyable time here ended a joyous weekend learning how the local churches are very much part of their communities. On my return home, when I mentioned to a colleague, who is not a church goer but works remotely from that area, his immediate response was to comment how active St James鈥� in Alnwick is.

Catriona Wheeler

Catriona is the current 两性色午夜 General Assembly Moderator (2025-2026). Read more on the General Assembly Moderator’s Blog.

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Each year, Christian Aid runs a flagship week, with this year鈥檚 theme captured in the strapline 鈥淵our faith. Make it count.鈥�

Fundraising initiatives are a major part of Christian Aid Week鈥檚 activities. Many participate in nationally organised events, including 鈥� a challenge to walk, run, cycle or swim 70km over the month to 鈥渉elp families build food security in the face of urban poverty鈥�. Locally, coffee mornings are a staple of the week. At Epping 两性色午夜, the cake bakers will be out in force for the end-of-week Christian Aid fair, following on from the church鈥檚 Christian Aid service the previous Sunday. Jeremy Flack says the service and fundraiser are an important opportunity to focus on the charity when there are so many other organisations and special weeks to support throughout the year.

Awareness-raising is also an important feature in the planning for Christian Aid Week in Groby in Leicestershire. Groby 两性色午夜 joins with the local parish church for their annual Christian Aid service 鈥� this year it will take an intergenerational form. Together, the Churches Together in Groby Team (pictured below) will be out litter picking around the village every day to promote the week. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 a money raiser鈥�, says the Revd Paul Ellis, 鈥渂ut it does help raise Christian Aid鈥檚 profile.鈥�

Paul is glad, too, that alongside the library, local Co-op branches will be among the drop-off points for individuals to leave Christian Aid envelopes received through their doors. In small but visible ways, the week is becoming a community event, allowing a growing number of people to engage with the worldwide partnerships and projects the charity supports.

In the year 2024-25, Christian Aid Week raised 拢5.2 million towards its annual income, with 50% of its grants to partner organisations that year going to Asia and the Middle East 鈥� a 52% increase on the previous year. Dr Snyman adds that the United Reformed Church has a long tradition of demonstrating incredible generosity, not least during Christian Aid Week, and believes 鈥渢his year would be every bit as good鈥�.

Find out all you need to know about Christian Aid Week .

Main image: Christian Aid supporters at Haddington Farmers’ Market, East Lothian

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In the lead up to the Jewish Sabbath, the Revd Dr Kevin Snyman, the 两性色午夜鈥檚 Head of World Justice and Inter Faith, said: 鈥淎s members of the United Reformed Church, we wish to hold close to our hearts our Jewish family following the attempted arson attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue. We are deeply saddened and angered by this latest act of antisemitic hatred.鈥�

鈥淲e stand in solidarity with the synagogue leaders and members, all at Progressive Judaism, the wider Finchley community, and the Jewish community as a whole beyond North London. No community should have to worship under threat, fear, and anxiety.鈥�

Dr Snyman endorsed a statement from the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), which noted that although this attack was unsuccessful, it follows attacks on the Hatzola ambulances last month and Heaton Park synagogue in October.

A further attack was made on Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow overnight on 18 April, following which arrests have been made.

The CCJ said: 鈥淪ecurity, tension and anxiety are extremely high. Jewish colleagues, friends and neighbours should not have to worry about attending places of worship, nor should anyone of any faith.聽Jewish community buildings, schools and synagogues have longstanding security systems that frankly should not be required.鈥�

The Revd Dr Nathan Eddy, Co-Director of the CCJ and a United Reformed minister, added: 鈥淎n attack on a synagogue or any place of worship is an attack on us all. It strikes right at the heart of something Christians should stand against, arm in arm.鈥�

In a message directed to the members of Finchley Reform Synagogue, Dr Snyman emphasised that 鈥渨e send our strength, our prayers, and our steadfast support to the synagogue and to all who are shaken by this attack. You are not alone at this time.鈥�

Finchley Reform Synagogue has stood in the area since 1961. A new building was completed in 2022.

Linked statements from

This article was updated 20 April 2026, following an attack on Kenton United Synagogue.

Image: By聽Ri Butov聽|聽Pixabay

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Today we sit inside a story about love 鈥� a love that never turns away, a love that keeps giving and giving.

It was evening. The room was quiet.
Jesus Christ sat at the table with friends on the night we now call Maundy Thursday.
They were sharing a meal together, just like friends do.

But Jesus wanted them to understand something important.
He stood up slowly.
He picked up a towel.
He knelt down.
And one by one, He washed their feet.
It was a servant鈥檚 job 鈥� not a king鈥檚 job.
Yet the One they called Lord chose to kneel.
The King chose a towel instead of a crown.

Perhaps His friends wondered, Why is He doing this?
And Jesus seemed to say, without needing many words,
鈥淭his is how much I love you.鈥�

Then He took bread, broke it gently, and shared it with them.
鈥淭his is my body, given for you.鈥�
It was as if Jesus was saying,
鈥淚 love you this much 鈥� enough to give myself.鈥�

Not just with words.
With actions.

Love helps.
Love shares.
Love includes.
Love is kind 鈥� even when it鈥檚 hard.
Love kneels.
Love serves.
Love welcomes.
Love looks small sometimes 鈥� like a towel, or a piece of bread, or a quiet act of kindness.

But small acts can hold very big love.
So this week, we might ask ourselves:
How can we show love like this?
Maybe by helping someone without being asked.
Maybe by sitting beside someone who feels alone.
Maybe by forgiving, or sharing, or simply being kind.

Because love is not only something we say.
Love is something we do.
And Jesus shows us just how much love can reach.

Judy Harris is the 两性色午夜’s Children’s and Youth Development Officer in the National Synod of Wales
Image: Washing of the Feet by John August Swanson, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN

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