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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On behalf of the United Reformed Church, I would like to offer our deep condolences to the family and loved ones of Henry Nowak. No words can undo the horror of Henry鈥檚 death. No family should have to bear such a loss. We hold their grief in our prayers and trust they may find some comfort in God鈥檚 promise of eternal life.

The tragedy of Henry鈥檚 murder has shaken communities 两性色午夜 the UK. We recognise with anguish that Sikh communities have been targeted and traumatised in the wake of the murder conviction. We stand with profound sorrow and in solidarity with our Sikh friends, neighbours, and family members at this time, offering the assurance that we see you, we mourn with you, and you are not alone.

As Christians, we hear Christ鈥檚 command to love our neighbours as ourselves. That love is not a vague sentiment. It requires us to speak when others are silenced, to stand alongside those who are made to feel fearful, and to confront injustice whenever and wherever it appears.

The Sikh tradition teaches the equality of all humanity and stands in defence of the oppressed in the pursuit of justice. These are values we share. We assert that an attack on any person because of their faith is an attack on the image of God that is in all. In the face of the violence that seeks to fracture our shared life in the UK, we as the United Reformed Church commit ourselves to pray, to listen, and to act in the pursuit of unity.

We call upon all our local churches to reach out to Sikh communities in their areas offering not words alone, but practical support and public witness. Let our doors be open for shared lament, and our voices raised in solidarity with our Sikh neighbours.

May the God of all comfort 鈥� known to Christians as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and honoured by Sikhs as Waheguru, the Wonderful Lord 鈥� draw near to all who mourn. May we be given courage in place of fear; and may the love that casts out hate prevail in every community 两性色午夜 these islands.

Catriona Wheeler
Moderator of the General Assembly
The United Reformed Church

Image: John Cameron/Unsplash.

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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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In May, the community relaunched Open Table Warrington (OTW) 鈥� part of the Open Table Network (OTN), a charity that welcomes and affirms people who are lesbian, gay,聽bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning,聽intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+).

Open Table Warrington, the second community in the OTN and the first outside Liverpool, celebrated the start of its next chapter with a Communion service and a reflection on the Open Table story and the parable of the mustard seed.

鈥淎s we look to the future, we鈥檙e excited to see what God will grow among us 鈥� love, friendships, courage, healing, joy,鈥� said the Revd Jenny Travis, Minister of St John鈥檚, and the Revd Linda Bishop, a Methodist minister, OTW’s new co-leaders.

鈥淲e鈥檙e here to keep the table open, the kettle on, and the welcome wide.鈥�

Earlier this year the community gathered to reflect on its life and future following a change in leadership. OTN Director Kieran Bohan and Jenny guided the conversation and helped the community discern, and with unanimous support the next steps together were decided.

A parent who attended the celebration was especially grateful.

鈥淭hank you for providing my daughter with a place where she feels welcome, loved, and safe. She doesn鈥檛 need to pretend; she can come as she is,鈥� they said.

Rachel Mitchell, a member of the community said: 鈥淲hen I come to Open Table I find it humbling to worship alongside, and share communion with, people of such strength, many of whom have been rejected by other churches simply for being the people God created them to be.

鈥淭hey haven鈥檛 lost faith in God or rejected Christianity but have found a safe place to be fully themselves. As we move forward into a new phase of Open Table in Warrington with new leaders and new ideas, I am grateful for those who have led before and built such a loving community of believers. I look forward to the future with excitement.鈥�

The Warrington community has played a significant part in the wider Open Table story. In 2016, the church hosted an 鈥楢ppreciating Open Table鈥� day, bringing together 24 people from the first four communities in Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester and North Wales to reflect on Open Table鈥檚 shared vision, mission and values, which are still the guiding principles of OTN today.

Jenny added: 鈥淎s this next chapter unfolds, the hope is simple and bold: that the good news of God鈥檚 inclusive love will ripple ever further 两性色午夜 Warrington. We also hope that this Open Table community continues to grow 鈥� not just in numbers, but in courage, compassion, and the deep, shared knowledge that we belong to one another.鈥�

.

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God of justice, mercy and peace,
we pray for the city of Southampton.

We hold before you the family and friends of Henry Nowak,
and all who grieve his death.
Surround them with compassion, truth and love,
and protect their sorrow from being used to deepen hatred or division.

We pray for all who are afraid today:
for local residents whose streets have become places of fear,
for communities made anxious by racism, suspicion or blame,
for those injured in violence,
and for all who are working to restore calm.

As a Church committed to becoming actively anti-racist,
we confess that racism wounds the body of Christ
and distorts the life of our communities.
Give us courage to name injustice clearly,
to listen to those whose experience is too often dismissed,
and to resist every attempt to turn grief into prejudice.

As followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
we reject violence as a way of seeking justice.
Teach us the discipline of non-violence,
the patience of truth,
and the costly work of reconciliation.

Where public trust has been damaged,
let there be honesty, accountability and careful investigation.
Where anger is justified,
let it be turned towards justice and not hatred.
Where communities are divided,
raise up peacemakers who are neither silent in the face of injustice
nor careless with the safety of others.

God of all people,
make us instruments of your peace:
strong against racism,
steadfast in hope,
gentle with the wounded,
and brave in the work of justice.

In the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Image: Andres F. Uran/Unsplash.

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The post has been vacant since the Revd Bridget Banks had to retire early in June 2025 on health grounds.

The Southern Synod has around 140 两性色午夜 and united churches, those with Methodist, Baptist or other ecumenical partners. The area of the Synod includes South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Its offices are located at East Croydon 两性色午夜 in Croydon.

Paul has been Minister of the United Church in Rhyl since his ordination in 2011.聽Recently, he has also supported other 两性色午夜 churches in North Wales and in the National Synod of Wales, Paul has served most recently as Convenor of the North Wales Regional Pastoral Committee.

On a national level, Paul is a former member and Convenor of the 两性色午夜鈥檚 Children and Youth Work Committee.

Paul said: 鈥淚t is with deep humility that I accept the nomination to serve as Moderator of Southern Synod. It is a great honour to serve God in this new role, and I look forward to journeying with the synod alongside the Holy Spirit as, together, we seek to be the church of Christ.鈥�

Alongside his ministry Paul enjoys choral singing, playing the piano and organ, trying to get a personal best at his local Parkrun, and staying seated during the rollercoaster of supporting Manchester United FC.

The Revd Dr John Bradbury, 两性色午夜 General Secretary, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that Paul has accepted the call to serve as Moderator of the Southern Synod. He brings a wealth of experience of ministry both locally, and within the wider Church which will serve the Synod well. He brings passion for the gospel, a pastoral sensitivity, a deep sense of the body of Christ as a place of unity in diversity and will be a great gift to the Synod and the wider United Reformed Church.鈥�

The appointment, once confirmed by the General Assembly of the 两性色午夜, which meets in early July, will begin later this year.

The Revd Russell Furley-Smith,聽Synod Council Convenor, said: 鈥淭he Southern Synod is delighted to receive the nomination of the Revd Paul Robinson as its new Moderator. We look forward to sharing in his ministry as we face some exciting challenges and opportunities.

鈥淎 new Moderator plays a vital role in guiding and encouraging the Synod as it seeks to live out its mission in today鈥檚 world. Through prayerful leadership, collaboration and vision, they help congregations and communities grow in faith, deepen relationships and respond to the needs of the wider community.

鈥淏y working alongside Ministers, Elders, volunteers and members, the Moderator can inspire unity and shared purpose along with helping the Synod discern new opportunities for mission while remaining rooted in the Gospel, enabling it to grow as a faithful and relevant presence in the life of our local communities.

鈥淲e are pleased that Paul will journey with us, offering us his wisdom and vision.鈥�

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Here, Hazel, a member of Helensburgh United Reformed Church in the region of Argyll and Bute in Scotland, shares her experience of completing the taster session for the 两性色午夜鈥檚 discipleship programme Stepwise and her participation in Faith Filled Worship:

I first enquired about Stepwise programme in 2020 and soon realised the timing was wrong as it seemed God wanted me to wait and embrace other commitments,聽primarily caring for my lovely mum who journeyed on last June, aged 93.

I took six months to pray and think about what was now important and what Jesus wanted me to do. Applying again to Stepwise seemed important and so, almost five years after that first enquiry, I logged onto a taster Stepwise session. where participants can meet others, reflect briefly on faith experiences, and get a sense of how Stepwise groups work. This helped me feel confident in taking the next step. At the time there were no Stepwise groups running in Scotland for me to move onto after the taster session, so I was offered the chance to join an online group in Northern Synod.

On an evening in March, I clicked the link to that first session with trepidation. Feeling out my depths, I questioned whether anyone would even know the town where I live? My fears evaporated when a lady with a Scottish accent appeared on screen. She had lived and worked in Helensburgh, where I live, before moving to England with her family.

The group I joined were just starting the Faith Filled Worship stream. It was held online one evening a month, which gave me time to pray, ponder and prepare, with no rush, pressure or time limit. Faith-filled Worship has 12 sessions over three phases. Sessions one to five cover the fundamentals of worship; sessions six to eight look at ways of engaging with God and sessions nine to twelve consider creativity and challenge in worship. There is opportunity to explore worship in different contexts, helping you find ways faith can become more alive and, for you and others, more sincere and inclusive.

Each month, our little group seems to grow in confidence and I, who find zooms and discussions daunting, gradually log on less hesitantly and almost without fear. I like to imagine Stepwise as a journey, in my case, stepping gingerly into the unknown, with little hidden paths along the way. I get to indulge in the scenery of this journey with every step. I get to breathe in new horizons and my vision changes, enlightens and uplifts.

If you have faith or none, Stepwise enables the sharing of insights and thoughts, with others. I have learned more about what faith is and how to live it out in my own life, Community and Church.

This year two new themes are offered: Faith Filled Environment and Faith Filled Conversations which complement the other themes: Faith filled Life,聽Community, Leadership and Worship.

When I think of my Stepwise journey, I think of words spoken by Desmond Tutu: 鈥淕od’s dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.鈥�

By engaging in Stepwise, I am discovering strangers have become friends; that in sharing our fears, hopes and faith together a wonderful journey of learning is being created. I am not sure where Jesus is leading us each, as individuals, but, together, we are growing in love and faith.

Learn more about the new streams.

To get started or learn more, see the dedicated Stepwise webpage or contact your local Synod Stepwise Contact (details can be found on the Stepwise page under 鈥楲et us know you are interested).

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The service took place on the eve of the second anniversary of the聽Infected聽Blood聽Inquiry鈥檚 full report, which examined how men, women and children treated by the NHS 两性色午夜 the UK were given infected聽blood聽and聽blood聽products from the 1970s onwards. It is widely regarded as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history.

Tessa, a United Reformed Church minister, said: 鈥淭he service was deeply moving and profoundly painful.鈥�

The聽service聽included symbolic empty chairs which were interspersed among the congregation, representing those who died and those unable to attend. Names were read out in remembrance, and a moment of silence was observed as thousands of white, red and yellow petals fell from the Whispering Gallery. There was also a short address from Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Inquiry, hymns chosen by the community, and more than 聽50 volunteers who lit candles in remembrance.

, more than 30,000 NHS patients were given blood transfusions, or treatments made using blood products contaminated with hepatitis C or HIV. More than 3,000 people have since died, and thousands more live with serious health conditions.

鈥淭he suffering carried by those affected by the contaminated blood scandal remains visible in the memories of those infected and affected. I pray that such a failure of justice and care never happens again,鈥� added Tessa.

鈥淎t the same time, there was extraordinary dignity, courage, and compassion present within the gathering. It was deeply moving to witness the strength and togetherness of a community formed through tragedy, truth-telling, and the long struggle for recognition and justice.鈥�

A prayer for those affected by the Infected Blood Scandal

Loving and faithful God,
We hold before you, all those who have suffered through this scandal,
those who have died, and those who live with its consequences,
those whose lives have been shaped by grief, injustice and loss.

We remember those whose voices were unheard,
whose trust was broken,
and whose suffering went unacknowledged for far too long.
Draw near to them in their pain,
and surround them with your comfort and peace.

God of justice,
we lament the failures that led to such harm,
and we pray for truth to continue to be spoken,
for accountability to be upheld, and for healing.
We pray that such a tragedy may never be repeated.

We pray for all those working in the NHS,
for their skill, knowledge and care,
and for wisdom and compassion to guide them
as they make decisions that affect the lives of others.

Image: Aman Chaturvedi/Unsplash.

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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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