UPDATES AND USEFUL
INFORMATION (6th May 2020)
Dear All
And so, we continue to
navigate our way through the effects of Coronavirus – and discover that ‘unprecedented’
and ‘new normal’ are becoming the expressions we hear most often. At the moment
the future still remains uncertain; and yet, as Christians, we remain confident
that it is in God’s hands – and we look to offer God’s light and love to those
around us amid the interesting phenomenon of what appears (and I say appears
because I have no current means of verifying it) to be increasing attendance at
church services and interest in prayer and other (what we might call) ‘holy’
things.
God bless you as you
make your way through these difficult times, and I hope these emailings
continue to provide various useful items.
We continue to retain
all of the past ‘Coronavirus’ emailings, as well as associated and relevant
documents, on the Synod Coronavirus blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/
WORSHIP ROADSHOWS
The worship roadshows or, as they have become,
mini ‘stay-at-home’ sessions have now begun with the first posted on the Synod
YouTube channel and the second due to be there by 9 am on Thursday 7th.
Please do pass this information on to anyone
who might be interested and may not yet know. The advantage of doing it this
way is that it stays and you can catch up. In the first Paul offered an introduction
and in the second Lindsey is helping us to consider how to structure an act of
worship. To find them, please go to the
Synod YouTube channel and look for the video you want -
We are also happy to email (or post) the
written script to anyone who would like to receive it, either inand stead of
watching, or to accompany the watching.
If you would like to receive the emailed script, please email Lindsey to
request it – training@urceastern.org.uk - If you, or anyone you know who doesn’t have
email, would like a posted script, please let one of us know by phone or
email.
Paul is supplementing some of this with
additional Biblical material, and that is posted on his own YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOisCXiElqiJSYoq_EolF8w
Again, just go to the channel and look
for the video you want. The first one that links to the worship roadshows is a reflection
on the call of Moses in Exodus 3.
WHAT NEXT?
(LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN)
Lockdown has very quickly become our way of
life and, at the moment, we don’t know when, or how, it will end. It does seem
likely that changes will be gradual. Some
people are beginning to ask what life, and church, might look like post-lockdown,
how things might be in an interim period, what preparations or arrangements we
may need to make for a degree of continued social distancing, whether things
will be very different, and so on.
The Synod Moderators are amongst those whose
minds have been turning in such directions and have prepared a paper - *Ready
for the new “normal”. It is inevitably quite a lengthy paper because there is a
lot to consider, and, if you want to take a look at it, you may wish to seek
out those bits of most immediate interest, which will be different for
different people. We will continue this theme in next week’s emailing, probably
highlighting some parts of the paper, and introducing any new thoughts that may
emerge from government statements, but if you would like to take a look at the
paper, it is on the Synod blog –
ONLINE MINISTRY – WCC WEBINAR
The World Council of Churches held a Churches’ Ministry Online webinar last
week, hosted by church leaders across the world to reflect on their practice
during the current global pandemic. We thought you might find a digested
summary useful, which you can find here - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/05/wcc-webinar-ministry-online-during.html but the full webinar is also available to watch on
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgfTmqtqgyk
THE UK BLESSING
Many will already have been sent this film, a
‘blessing over the nation’ sung from churches across the UK. Despite
having watched it several times I haven’t spotted a URC church in there!
It’s been viewed well over a million times in the last 2 days. It gets
more and more uplifting as it builds… “He is for you!”
A definite lift for us all, especially on top
of the news that people are searching for prayer at record levels in this time
of crisis: are our churches’ websites and social media pages helping them to
find the answers?
(Note from Paul – I did see a version which
included Christ the King, Milton Keynes, a Local Ecumenical Partnership which
includes the URC – and spotted (I think) the URC minister there, Revd. George
Mwaura, who candidated from Eastern Synod.)
CHURCH LIFE
Elders’ and Church Meetings are, in many
churches, continuing to happen over the phone and the internet. Many
churches are continuing to offer their Bible Studies and prayer groups, and
some are running their social events too, such as Quiz Nights etc. We would
love to hear the stories of what you’ve been able to keep doing, and of what
new things you’ve started. We’d love photos to share, too, on the Eastern
Mission Facebook page and Synod website. While the lockdown is set to
continue, however, please do get in touch with one of us if you need support in
maintaining or establishing communities online.
GUIDANCE ON CHURCH
MEETINGS AND DECISION-MAKING
We mentioned this
briefly last week and offered the suggestion of contacting Keir as Synod Clerk
or Paul or Synod Moderator for individual advice if you have particular issues
or uncertainty. That still stands – but we
are adding a few comments.
Firstly, in view of
the government advice, the requirement for frequency of meetings should be
regarded as suspended, so we should not, for example, be currently expecting
quarterly church meetings.
Secondly, virtual
meetings are permissible. However, they can only be binding if everyone entitled
to be there has the ability (technology) to be present. Everyone needs to be
able to see/hear each other, and everyone needs to be content to meet in that
way. In other words this may work for Elders’ Meetings, in some situations
but not everywhere; but is highly unlikely to work for Church Meetings.
Disseminating
information in written form can be useful, as that lets people know what is
happening and being considered, but postal votes are not valid.
If at all possible,
taking decisions should be deferred, but, in the event a decision is needed,
the power to take it should be passed to the next available group, for example
the Elders, or the key officers in a congregation.
Where that needs to
happen, he best practice is to use what are known as Speaker Dennison's rules,
which is to prolong discussion, and then to preserve the status quo.
In our terms, this
means:
First, deferring
items until the next available meeting where possible;
Second, agreeing
items not expected to require debate and which are expected to
achieve (near-) unanimity;
Third, where an
item will require debate and may not achieve unanimity, considering voting
to enable the matter to be continued until a more appropriately considered
decision can be made, even if that means spending money in the short term;
Fourth, not voting
either to start or to stop something contentious.
Again, if there is
a situation where a decision is needed, we would advise writing to all the
members, outlining what is proposed to be done with the business, which gives
everyone a chance to see this, and at least comment if something unreasonable
seems to be proposed, which the Executive/Officers can take into account before
making their decisions.
In such an instance
whoever is making decisions on behalf of someone else would be well advised to
keep a written record, and to file that with the minutes of the body whose
decisions they have taken.
CHRISTIAN
AID WEEK 10-16 May
For
information about, and links to, online resources, please go to
A message from Kevin Snyman, the URC’s
Programme Officer for Justice and Global Partnerships. …. Are you wondering what to do for Christian
Aid Week 2020?
Christian Aid Week has had to be moved online
because of the COVID-19 lockdown. This comes on the heels of significant
structural changes at CA, and the furloughing of staff across the UK.
These events have raised questions among some
of our URC members. So, I would like to invite you to join with me on ZOOM on
Thursday 7th May at 14h00. I will host an online consultation with Christian
Aid's John Plant. (John is the National Church Relationships Lead, and a
constant source of support for the URC.)
John will speak about recent changes at
Christian Aid, give updates on our URC global partner regions, and talk about
how we might approach this year's Christian Aid Week. We may have time to take
a few questions for John.
We anticipate the event to be around 40
minutes. We may have a ZOOM imposed limit on the number of participants, but
there is a facility to phone in (see details below) if you are unable to log in
on your computer/ laptop/ iPad/ mobile camera. All URC members are
welcome.
Time: Thursday May 7, 2020 02:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86226736912
Meeting ID: 862 2673 6912
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Meeting ID: 862 2673 6912
CHILDREN
AND YOUTH NEWSLETTER
A
special Supplement of the Bimonthly Children and Youth Newsletter has been
developed especially with the 11-14 age group in mind
If
you have trouble downloading this document Nicola will be very pleased to mail
you a hard copy just send an email to request one.
Exciting
New Venture Starting this Thursday at 7pm
URC Youth are very excited to launch a new weekly online live Youtube
broadcast called ‘Trialogue’. Aimed at 16 – 25 year olds, each session
will explore a theme alongside a Bible passage, providing a spring board for
further discussion and reflection. A CYDO+ will host three guest
panellists, representing some of the breadth of the URC.
Viewers will be able to join in the discussions using Slido.com
and entering the code ‘URCtrialogue’. Comments, questions and suggestions
for future topics can be sent to the host to share during the live programme.
All episodes will be available to view at any time after the
live broadcast along with an accompanying resource to support individuals and
groups with reflection and prayer.
Ideal to watch on your own or as part of a group. Why not
use as conversation starters for your own virtual gatherings?
First programme – exploring Relationships (in the broadest
contexts) alongside the Bible passage ‘Matthew Chapter 5’.
Every Thursday at 7pm – starting 7th May.
URC Children’s and Youth YouTube channel - bit.ly/urctrialogue
FRIENDS ON FAITH
ADVENTURES@HOME
Friends on Faith
Adventures @ home
https://urc.org.uk/resources-for-children-and-youth new
sessions are uploaded each Thursday this week material are looking at
Psalm 93 in lots of multisensory ways.
ROOTS FREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
ALL-AGE WORSHIP RESOURCES (related to next Sunday – May
10)
Families at home – Easter 5
‘I am the Way’
A gathering prayer
We praise you for your love for us,
We praise you for your help.
We praise you for your understanding,
We praise you for your presence.
We praise you for your help.
We praise you for your understanding,
We praise you for your presence.
We praise you for your love for us,
We praise you for your care.
We praise you for your promises,
We praise you for your hope.
We praise you for your care.
We praise you for your promises,
We praise you for your hope.
Amen
Singing together
One Way - Hillsong Kids
Reading, watching, and listening together
‘I am the way’ A reflective story with Nicola
John 14:1-14
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I will be going
away soon, but don’t worry, because I am going to prepare a place for you in my
Father’s house, which has many rooms. When the time is right, I will return and
take you there, so that we can all be together.’ Wanting to know where this
place would be, Thomas asked, ‘How will we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I
am the way, and the truth, and the life. I will show you the way to God the
Father.’ But Philip wanted Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus sighed. ‘Have I
been with you all this time, Philip, and you still don’t recognise me?’ Jesus
continued, ‘Believe in the Father and believe also in me, because I am in the
Father and the Father is in me. If you can’t do that, then look at the things I
have done and you will know what God the Father is like. If you believe in me,
you will be able to do even greater things than I have done. All you have to do
is to ask in my name and I will do it for you.
© ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020.
Reproduced with permission.
Reproduced with permission.
Creating together
Prayer
Labyrinth
You will need
Coloured felt
or paper
Spiral template
Card
Cut out a
spiral from the felt or paper. Spread
the spiral out to make a gap between the lines.
Stick down to the card. These can
then be used in your reflection time. together.
You could try
making a Labyrinth out of paper clips or cut out footprints and make one on the
floor or in the garden.
Spend time in
silence, thinking about your life and all the people that you know, your family
and friends people who you etc Follow the line with their finger or a
wooden peg doll , talk to God about their lives and to be with them on the
journey.
Praying together
Finger prayer walk
Collect some items that will help create a finger
prayer walk. Here are a few ideas: -
- Sandpaper,
- stones
- rough side of a scouring pad
- Blue paper or material
- foil paper
- pocket mirror
- A squishy sponge
- Bubble wrap
- Corrugated card
- Soft wool
- pom poms
- cotton wool or
- your favourite cuddly toy
Place the items in a circle on the table or floor and
use your finger to walk around the different textures. Stop and think how each
one makes you feel. With the hard and
rough surface talk to god about things that are difficult and frightening. God knows our tears and sadness, with the
shiny and water like items talk to god about what is making you sad.
With the squishy items like the sponge sink
your fingers into the sponge or move your fingers over the ups and downs of the
cardboard. Sometimes things make us feel
we are stuck and don’t know what to do. Ask God to help you and be with you
when you stuck.
With the bubble wrap have some fun popping the
bubbles and talk to God about things you are worried about. As the bubbles pop
know that God hears our prayers.
Feel the items that are soft and comforting
and remember that God loves everyone.
Quietly talk to God about the people that you want to know Gods comfort
and quietly say their names.
As you reach the centre you can be still and
when you are ready say Amen.
A prayer to say together
O Lord, our shelter,
bring warmth to all who are cold,
safety to all who are afraid,
peace to all who are worried,
and joy to all who are sad.
Guide us safely through the storms of life,
to be at home with you for ever.
Amen.
bring warmth to all who are cold,
safety to all who are afraid,
peace to all who are worried,
and joy to all who are sad.
Guide us safely through the storms of life,
to be at home with you for ever.
Amen.
Playing together
Make a treasure hunt around
the house and garden.
Write out some clues for your treasure
hunt.
The clues will guide the
treasure seekers from one spot to the next, building anticipation for the
treasure they will find at the end. You could use picture clues instead of
written clues.
The challenge is to then
hide your treasure and the clues when no one is looking.
It is then time to send
your treasure seekers off to find the treasure.
ECO CHURCH
Last week we mentioned the importance of
environmental concerns, wondering if this might be a moment to consider your
green credentials. There is now a summary about becoming an eco church on the
blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-is-eco-church.html
There is also a brief account of one
recent experience of gaining an award, that of The Cornerstone, Southend-on-Sea
- https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/05/eco-church-bronze-award-cornerstone.html
RURAL MATTERS
Elizabeth
Clark, the National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United
Reformed Churches, has been in touch with news affecting our rural
communities. We are, by some measures, the most rural Synod in the URC,
and many of us will be affected by these issues. Whether you are a church
in a rural setting or not, I hope you find the linked briefing about rural
broadband interesting: https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/05/rural-broadband-briefing-for-local.html
“Rural
areas are hit by a double whammy when it comes to broadband; they are usually
the last place that infrastructure rollout reaches, and even when it does, the
speeds achieved are usually slower since homes are often further away from the
cabinet.”
She
also recommends a myth-busting document to better inform our conversations
about the meat and dairy industries and climate change. Rural communities
have been significantly affected by a lack of nuance in conversations about
these industries. Please circulate amongst those who might find it useful https://www.nfuonline.com/nfu-online/sectors/dairy/mythbuster-final/
SYNOD COMMITTEES
May and June sees the next scheduled round of
Synod committees. Though a final decision
is yet to be taken, it seems unlikely that physical meetings will be
possible. However, plans are in hand for
online meetings, assuming that remains the case. If you have any questions, comments, or, in particular,
grant applications, please submit these in the normal way (and in good
time). Acknowledgements of anything
submitted may be slower than usual, but committees will respond to requests and
applications.
URC ADVICE
Just
a reminder that the coronavirus advice page on the URC website is being updated
with resources and advice on a daily basis:
Finally,
just a reminder from Lindsey, Nicola and myself that we are still there for you
and, if there is anything you think we might offer, or you just want a chat,
then do contact us:
Our prayers and our best
wishes,
A PRAYER FROM CHRISTIAN AID
May your
love that never fails strengthen the weak,
encourage the fearful, calm the anxious,
heal the sick.
Through
your church – your washed hands and feet on earth –
distant
but still present,
virtual
but still connected.
apart
but still helping.
God
in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
STAY SAFE AND KEEP WELL! GOD BLESS!
PAUL
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