Upcoming events and training
Envisioning Worship - What if God is Child?
Envisioning Worship Conference for everyone interested in how worship affects Mission.
Theme: What if God is Child?
Dates: 11am on 8th March – 3.30pm on 9th March 2025
Venue: Luther King Centre, Manchester
Cost: Residential : £200
Non-residential : £120
Who is it for? Anyone intrigued by the idea of the childlikeness of God – in the midst of the smallest experiences; apparently weak but disruptive; curious, playful and imaginative; raging and dancing – and what this might mean for worship and mission. Anyone drawn to Bible explorations, creative workshops and more – and who is interested in imagining things differently.
If you are a lay member of the United Reformed Church you may be able to get assistance with the costs for this conference. Please contact trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
For more information and to register, visit – https://northerncollege.co.uk/ewc-march-2025/
Café Jam March
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam April
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam May
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam June
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam July
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Walk Through The Bible: New Testament
Following on from the raucous and informative WTTB: Old Testament last year, we are delighted to welcome Carl back from Walk Through The Bible www.bible.org.uk to lead us through the NEW TESTAMENT.
Location: St Johns’ URC, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington WA4 6QE
Cost: Usually £14 pp but this is something that we really want you to experience - so Mersey Synod is paying for your place (but please bear in mind the Cancellation Policy). You will be asked for a £5 deposit when you book which will be refunded when you attend.
Bring your own lunch (or there is a small Asda & Gregg’s next door) but drinks and cake will be provided.
Cancellation policy for events
We understand that unplanned issues can come up and you may need to cancel. If that happens, we respectfully ask that you provide at least seven days’ notice unless you have a genuine emergency. Due to venue fees and catering charges, we would otherwise need to impose a fee to cover the costs for any cancellations beyond this timeframe or for no shows. This is to ensure that we can cover costs and therefore continue to deliver events. Thanks for your understanding.
Godly Play Training
This three-day accredited course is led by members of the College of Trainers of Godly Play UK - Richard Knott (URC East Midlands CYDO) and Susie Steel. This training enables you to use the Godly Play method and understand its principles. The training follows an action/reflection model of learning, through hands-on experience and reflection, rather than lectures. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end of the course.
This course is non-residential, and the venue is Hull Minster, 5 Church Side, Kingston upon Hull, HU1 1RR
The course times are Monday: 9.15-6.30; Tuesday 9.00-6.30; Wednesday: 9.00-4.30.
The full cost is £350 but bursaries are available to those who need financial support to attend the course. Please email admin@godlyplay.uk if you wish to apply for a bursary. If you are a URC member you may be able to apply for a Discipleship Development Fund Small Grant to subsidise costs - please contact trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk for details.
Booking
You can book your place through this link https://www.godlyplay.uk/events/core-training-hull/
**Please note that this is not run by Mersey Synod**
Cancellations
A £25 administration fee will be charged for cancellations made up to ten weeks prior to the start of the course. Cancellations thereafter will be liable to the loss of the full fee. Substitutions may be made at any time prior to the start of the course.
Please note that on rare occasions, due to low numbers, courses are cancelled at late notice. Godly Play UK cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred by individuals as a result of us having to cancel an event, although the full course fee will be returned.
Café Jam October
Open Table Service with Communion
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam September
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Courage Confidence and Complicated Questions
What stops you Talking Faith? Is it the questions you might be asked or do you just need a bit more courage? Come and be inspired at our latest Talking Faith event.
Led by the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics.
Book through the Synod Office synodoffice@urcmerseysynod.org.uk or click the button below
Planning meeting about Creativity & Faith
Are you creative? Can you create an original piece? You could be a painter, crafter, ceramicist, jewellery maker, musician, metal worker, artist, knitter, sculptor, composer, crocheter, or any other art form - come and join the conversation.
This is an initial conversation to see if we can put on an event that will enable people to release their creativity into their faith.
Please book to register your interest and get more details.
Café Jam July
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam June
Buffet lunch at 1pm, Cafe Jam worship at 2pm
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Godly Play Taster Session
What does Godly Play offer?
Ways to be community - building trust and exploring together
Ways to create sacred space - making a place to wonder, and taking time to reflect
Ways to get inside stories - discovering the languages of word, gesture, symbol and silence
Ways to search for meaning - supported by community, story and space, deepening spiritual meaning in our lives
Godly Play promotes open, creative ways to explore Christian story and practices, enabling the art of using spiritual language meaningfully in our lives so it can be enjoyed at all ages.
Who is this for?
Anyone and everyone who has a desire to see spirituality grow and flourish. This is not just for children!
What is this all about?
The day will be led by Mersey Synod Children & Youth Development Officer, Steven Mitchell and East Midlands CYDO, Richard Knott. Steven and Richard are experienced practitioners of Godly Play who will explore the different Godly Play genres. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss key elements of the Godly Play approach ask questions.
Where is this?
The whole day session will be at Upton United Reformed Church, CH2 1HX.
The taster session is FREE.
Please bring your own lunch but drinks will be provided.
Active Listening Training
Brought to you by Acorn Healing Ministries this two part course is for anyone involved in Pastoral Care and Visiting.
Develop the listening skills that you need to bring healing and wholeness into other people’s lives. Acorn Listening Academy will equip you over two evenings: TUESDAY 11th & THURSDAY 13th June 2024 : 7-9pm :
Register at Acorn Listening Academy: URC Mersey Synod Tickets, Tue 11 Jun 2024 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
This is a FREE online event
*Please note that you only need to register once for both evenings.
Café Jam May : World Church Music at Mersey does Mercy
Mersey Does Mercy – playing World Church Music
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
ACCESSIBILITY IN LITURGY AND WORSHIP FREE WEBINAR
FREE WEBINAR –
WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL at 19:30 – 21:00
THE JOINT LITURGICAL GROUP OF GREAT BRITAIN, of which the URC is a member, invites you to join our two presenters:
Café Jam
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Café Jam March 2024
Alsager URC
6.30pm
Sunday 17th March 2024
Brookhouse Rd, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 2PA
Café Jam February 2024
Caldy Valley Neighbourhood Church
10.30am Sunday 4th February 2024
Led by Revd Geoff Felton at the joint Chester URC’s monthly service
Café Jam
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838 103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Mental Health First Aid (Online)
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Gain an in-depth understanding of mental health and factors that can affect wellbeing in the youth sector
Develop practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
Feel confident to step in, reassure and support a young person in distress
Enhance your interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening and learn to champion self-care
Although this is focussed on YOUTH, much of the content is transferable and applicable to adults.
General Assembly recommends that every church has someone who has participated in youth MHFA training & is the champion in their church.
This training takes place over FOUR sessions:
Monday 4th December 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Wednesday 6th December 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Monday 11th December 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Wednesday 13th December 6.30pm - 9.30pm
This event is ONLINE
Please contact Steven Mitchell cydo@urcmerseysynod.org.uk to register and for further details.
Talking Faith Comedy Night
URC Mersey Synod is hosting a Talking Faith Comedy Social Night on Friday 1st December 2023 at Ormskirk Street URC. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce family and friends to your faith through a relaxed and fun event, and we’ll have critically acclaimed Christian Comedian, Steve Legg, performing.
Stepwise Taster
What is next for me? What impact does my faith have on my home life? My work life? My social life? How can I talk faith in my whole life? If you have pondered these questions deeply or even just want something new to try - have you thought about Stepwise?
Stepwise is a whole life discipleship programme that people like you and me are doing across the URC.
We are running two taster sessions for Stepwise on
MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 7pm
MONDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2pm
These will one hour and are online. They will be the same content, so you just choose which session you want to do.
We will cover
how the learning is structured
URC Learning Hub
what is expected of you
what the time commitment is
mentoring - how and who
journalling - what is this and why do it
outline of Faith Filled Life (this is the first stream that everyone does.)
BOOK A PLACE BY EMAILING or PHONING Synod Office (0151 7226590)
**YOU WILL BE SENT A JOINING LINK WHEN YOU BOOK**
Café Jam
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838 103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Walk Through The Bible - Old Testament
Walk through the Old Testament in a fun, interactive and totally unique way!
A fun, interactive, unique walk through the Old Testament. An experience that will forever change the way you view your Bible. An interactive and engaging teaching event that uncovers the Big Picture of the Old Testament - Genesis to Malachi. Suitable for anyone 11+ years old. It is guaranteed that you will know more about the OT when you go home!
Contact Emma : trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk to register or for more details.
Appreciating Church Annual Conferences
These two conferences will run in parallel as practitioner-led events with interactive workshop. Speakers from the church and beyond will reflect on using appreciative inquiry in challenging situations.
Liturgy as Proclamation of the Gospel
The Joint Liturgical Group (www.jlg.org.uk) presents a day exploring Liturgy and Worship as a way that many people hear the Good News, and deepen their journey of Christian discipleship. The JLG began in 1963. Its aim has always been to serve the churches of Britain in the renewal of their worship.
Keynote Speaker: Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury.
Thursday 28th September at Llandaff Cathedral
Tickets £30 | £15 students including lunch and refreshments. Please book through the JLG website (www.jlg.org.uk)
Café Jam
Praise God through singing – café jam worship is café style, informal and for all those of any ability who love to sing or just listen. Lots of cakes and drinks provided.
For more details contact Rita on 07838 103310 or synodclerk@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
RECONNECT! A URC event for 20-40s
We are delighted to be hosting the first URC event for those in their 20s-40s, generously funded by the URC's Discipleship Development Fund. Reconnect! is a discipleship event with worship, Bible study, panel discussion and small-group discussions. It aims to provide a space for 20-40 year olds to make connections with other Christians, to share in fellowship, and to discuss church life and faith in the context of life in this age bracket. We are hoping to establish an ongoing supportive network that will nourish people in their everyday discipleship and local church life.
Whole Life Worship Day
Connect your Sunday services with Monday life – from their biblical foundations through to practical ideas.
Open to everyone and led by Revd Andy Stinson with Revd Stuart Radcliffe, URC Mersey Mission & Discipleship Enabler.
Discover how each and every person in your church can recognise the value of their work, activities, and relationships in God’s economy. The retired-busy crowd, the living-life-to-the-full crowd, the uncertain-in-faith crowd, the juggling-work-and-family crowd: come together and re-dedicate it all to God on Sundays! Make your Sundays about breathing in the Spirit of God, so you can breathe out the Spirit throughout the week.
Contact Stuart: mde@urcmerseysynod.org.uk to register
Stepwise Taster
What is next for me? What impact does my faith have on my home life? My work life? My social life? How can I talk faith in my whole life? If you have pondered these questions deeply or even just want something new to try - have you thought about Stepwise?
Stepwise is a whole life discipleship programme that people like you and me are doing across the URC.
We are running two taster sessions for Stepwise on
MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 7pm
MONDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2pm
These will one hour and are online. They will be the same content, so you just choose which session you want to do.
We will cover
how the learning is structured
URC Learning Hub
what is expected of you
what the time commitment is
mentoring - how and who
journalling - what is this and why do it
outline of Faith Filled Life (this is the first stream that everyone does.)
BOOK A PLACE BY EMAILING or PHONING Synod Office (0151 7226590)
**YOU WILL BE SENT A JOINING LINK WHEN YOU BOOK**