Upcoming events and training
Dates of Café Jam Worship for 2026
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.
DOWNLOAD A POSTER FOR YOUR CHURCH HERE
Café Jam Worship Band dates for 2026:
Sunday 8th March 2026 at 6.30pm at Trinity Methodist/URC Church, High St, Skelmersdale WN8 8AT
Sunday 29th March 2026 at 6.30pm at Ainsdale Village Church, Station Road Ainsdale, 90 Station Rd, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 3HW
Sunday 19th April 2026 at 6.30pm at Wallasey Village URC, Wallasey Village, Wallasey CH45 3LP
Sunday 17th May 2026 at Alsager URC at 6.30pm – 150th Anniversary celebration! Brookhouse Rd, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 2PA
Sunday 7th June 2026 at Heckmondwike URC at 1pm 139 High St, Heckmondwike WF16 0DY
Sunday 21st June 2026 at Albion United Reformed Church, at 6.30pm at Stamford St E, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6QQ (in Northwestern Synod)
Sunday 5th July 2026 6.30pm at Macclesfield URC, Park Green, Macclesfield SK11 7NA
Sunday 19th July 2026 6.30pm at St David’s URC, Crosthwaite Ave, Eastham, Birkenhead, Eastham CH62 9DG
Sunday 26th July 2026 at Serpentine Road Family Church at 6.30pm, 100 Liscard Rd, Wallasey CH44 0AA
Please contact Rita (07838 103310 or rita.griffiths4@ntlworld.com) for more information – and if you would like the Café Jam band to come to YOUR church or event! Our start times are normally Sundays 6.30pm.
A MERSEY SYNOD INITIATIVE
TASTER SESSION…Church Leadership Programme
Free taster session for the Church Leadership Programme. Click on the image for the Zoom link or https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88399225995?pwd=wWEeusxuRdVIxcsCb6ZFKo6Ey6SFz3.1
Faith in Action Webinar “Church At The Margins
In partnership with North Western Synod, the Faith in Action Team is hosting four 90-minute webinars throughout 2026 exploring what it means for the URC to be A Church with People at the Margins.
Starting on 16 February, the series is designed to help congregations become places where people at the margins are loved, nurtured and empowered. Jesus consistently elevated people at the margins, not by doing to or doing for, but by being with.
Rather than adding more projects to the busyness of church life, the A Church with People at the Margins” offers space to share what is already working in our churches, how to deepen impact through existing ministry, and where new opportunities for worship and discipleship might begin.
Small or big, rural or urban, coastal or estate; busy, quiet, growing, surviving or flourishing - all congregations are invited to share in this common calling: to be welcoming, inclusive, outreaching, anti-poverty, and deeply rooted as community hubs where people can find belonging, support and hope. The webinars will take place from 7-8.30pm on the following dates:
Monday 16 FebruaryMonday 11 MayMonday 10 AugustMonday 16 NovemberEach webinar will have a different focus, with a guest speaker offering insight from their own experience of marginality. You are welcome to come to one or all of the sessions – we’ll share more on the content of each forum soon.
Living Faith Now 1
Our current Synod theme is Living Faith.
This year we have 3 events to help you and your church see how you can be Living Faith in 2026. We will be exploring LICC's 6M's of whole life discipleship and we have 6 great talks with relatable, inspiring speakers lined up for you.
The first session looks at
Mouthpiece for Truth and Justice with Sally Foster-Fulton
Messenger of the Gospel with Sue Ainscough.
Future sessions include:
Saturday 6th June (Parkgate & Neston URC, Wirral)
Models Godly character (tbc)
Makes good work (Founding Director, Redeeming Our Communities: Debra Green)
Saturday 26th September (Haresfinch URC, St Helens)
Ministers grace & love (Guest panel)
Moulds culture (Leader of St Helens Council: Cllr Anthony Burns)
Come and be inspired!
This is open to everyone.
TASTER SESSION - Lay Preaching
Thinking about the Lay Preaching course? Join this free taster. Click on the image for the Zoom link or https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88399225995?pwd=wWEeusxuRdVIxcsCb6ZFKo6Ey6SFz3.1
Church Development Session E
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session E
Leadership in the Church - Revd Geoff Felton (URC Mersey Synod Moderator)
Church Development Session D
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session D
Property and Building Maintenance - Jamie Anderson (Property Officer)
Church Communications and How to Make the Most of Them - Clare Coombes (Communications Officer)
Church Development Session D
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session D
Property and Building Maintenance - Jamie Anderson (Property Officer)
Church Communications and How to Make the Most of Them - Clare Coombes (Communications Officer)
Church Development Session C
Session C
Trustee Responsibilities- Neil Mackenzie (Trust Officer & Synod Executive)
Accessing External Funds - Helen McCormack (Grants & Admin Officer)
Church finances - Denise Harman (Finance Officer) & John Beech (Treasurer)
Church Development Session B
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session B
Bridging Generations: Engaging Children & Youth in Church Life - Steven Mitchell (Children & Youth Development Officer)
Mission & Growth & Your Church - Stuart Radcliffe (Mission Discipleship Enabler)
Church Development Session A
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session A
Governance Essentials: Policies, GDPR, Risk Assessments, and Beyond - Lorna Griffiths (Synod Clerk )
Relationships & working with our congregation - Emma Howarth (Training Officer)
Church Development Session A
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session A
Governance Essentials: Policies, GDPR, Risk Assessments, and Beyond - Rita Griffiths (Synod Clerk )
Relationships & working with our congregation - Julie Rafferty (Safeguarding Officer)/ Emma Howarth (Training Officer)
Church Development Session B
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session B
Bridging Generations: Engaging Children & Youth in Church Life - Steven Mitchell (Children & Youth Development Officer)
Mission & Growth & Your Church - Stuart Radcliffe (Mission Discipleship Enabler)
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
Cafe 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.
This is a special event to mark the retirement of Rita Griffiths as Synod Clerk.
Singing and praise followed by a buffet – places MUST be booked as limited numbers. please email the Synod Office to book synodoffice@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
Church Development Session C
Session C
Trustee Responsibilities- Neil Mackenzie (Trust Officer & Synod Executive)
Accessing External Funds - Helen McCormack (Grants & Admin Officer)
Church finances - Denise Harman (Finance Officer) & John Beech (Treasurer)
Church Development Session D
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session D
Property and Building Maintenance - (Property Officer)
Church Communications and How to Make the Most of Them - Clare Coombes (Communications Officer)
Living Faith Day
A day of encouragement and challenge as together we discover ways to ‘invite’ others to live the life we have discovered.
Following on from Talking Faith which has been the theme across Mersey Synod for the last two years, the next stage is Living Faith.
The day will involve an inspirational guest speaker, Revd Dr Cris Rogers. Cris is the chair of Spring Harvest and leads a church in London. He is a co-founder of We Are Making Disciples which enables and equips people and churches to live their lives out as Christians. There will be discussion and practical suggestions on how to live out our faith in our everyday lives. Throughout the day there will be workshops on different aspects of Living Faith. The Café Jam Band will be leading the musical worship. As if this wasn’t enough to tempt you, there will be a free lunch! All that people need to do is register by clicking the booking button on this page or by ringing the Synod Office.
Church Development Session C
Session C
Trustee Responsibilities- Neil Mackenzie (Trust Officer & Synod Executive)
Accessing External Funds - Helen McCormack (Grants & Admin Officer)
Church finances - Denise Harman (Finance Officer) & John Beech (Treasurer)
Church Development Session D
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session D
Property and Building Maintenance - (Property Officer)
Church Communications and How to Make the Most of Them - Clare Coombes (Communications Officer)
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
Church Development Session A
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session A
Governance Essentials: Policies, GDPR, Risk Assessments, and Beyond - Rita Griffiths (Synod Clerk )
Relationships & working with our congregation - Julie Rafferty (Safeguarding Officer)/ Emma Howarth (Training Officer)
Church Development Session B
The Church Development Programme 2025 is four sessions in bite-size 2 hour slots that cover most of church life. It is designed to help Churches and make things a bit easier. Synod Officers will be leading sessions and there will be plenty of time for questions.
This is open to ANYONE who is involved in their church, or if they want to be! Each slot (A, B, C or D) will be repeated 3 times in different locations around the Synod. Please contact Emma trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk if you want to know more.
Session B
Bridging Generations: Engaging Children & Youth in Church Life - Steven Mitchell (Children & Youth Development Officer)
Mission & Growth & Your Church - Stuart Radcliffe (Mission Discipleship Enabler)
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
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/
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