contact Leo Roberts (via the Synod office) for details.

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan - Chai Yi

As you will know, The North Western Synod has links with the Presbyterian Church In Taiwan Chai-Yi Presbytery  (through the ‘Belonging to the World Church programme) and the Moderator, along with other members of the Synod have visited, and been visited, by members of our partner church.

The United Reformed Church is governed by its General Assembly, a gathering of representatives of members and clergy from across the 13 Synods.  Each Synod sends a number of adults to represent them in the General Assembly and can send four children to represent them at the Children’s Assembly. There they will experience something of how the church is governed and be able to take part in a special program covering some of the issues of the main assembly gathering.

There will be debates and discussion and opportunities to explore ideas through art, drama and activity.  We will also be taking some time off for fun and relaxation by the sea side!

When is it

Assembly this year meets in Scarborough from 6-9th July.

We realise that this will mean that children will need to take some time off school to attend but we are confident that schools will recognise the educational value of this opportunity and be supportive of an approved absence.  The United Reformed Church will provide a letter to the schools of participants to explain about the Assembly and ask for their permission for children to attend.

 Who can come?

The event is open to children aged between 9 and 13 years old who are friends of the United Reformed church. This includes children who worship with us on Sundays or who attend Pilots or another church group during the week.

Places are limited and your Synod will decide which children will represent them at the event.  If you are interested in coming you will need to contact your CYDO (synod Children’s and Youth Development Officer).  If you don’t know how to get in touch with this person, ask your minister or contact Jo or Viv at the Children’s Office in London (            020 7916 8683       or email children@urc.org.uk)

 How much does it cost?

The cost of Assembly is covered by central funds.  Therefore children do not have to pay for their food, accommodation or travel but they may want to bring some spending money.

 Travel

The synod, with the leaders who are accompanying the group will be responsible for organising travel to and from Scarborough.

Accommodation

All participants will be staying at the Red Lea hotel Scarborough which is just a short walk from the Spa conference centre. Children will be in twin rooms with en suite facilities. The accommodation is very secure and is reserved for participants and leaders of Children’s Assembly.  You can check out the Hotel at  http://www.redleahotel.co.uk
Please note that for safety reasons the swimming pool will be closed during our stay.

Food

All meals will be provided.  You should let us know on your form if you have any allergies so we can inform the catering staff.

Leaders

The program will be lead by the national children’s work office and a team of leaders.  In addition, each group attending the Assembly should bring at least one leader.  It is our policy that all leaders have a clear CRB check.

 How do I book?

To apply for a place, or for more information contact the person who gave you this letter or call the Children’s Work Development Officer, Jo Williams on             020 7916 8683      , or email children@urc.org.uk .

Some useful documents to download …

Introductory letter

Letter to potential participants

Children’s Assembly 2012 flier

Children’s Assembly 2012 Consent Form

As part of their celebrations they have written to past members and people who have been involved with their Church, to celebrate by joining in a programme of activities they have planned for the weekend.

On Saturday 14th July, from 11am onwards, they will be having an open day at Church with displays of memorabilia, as well as displays of what happens in their building today and hopefully sharing memories. Tea, Coffee and cakes will be served.

On Sunday 15th July, Lawrence Moore has very kindly accepted their invitation to preach at both their morning and evening worship.

Friends from the Synod are welcome to join them at this special time.

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2012

For more information please click on the link below.

BTCS_form_for_A5_two_pages_on_A4

Anyone wishing to attend General Assembly 2012 as a non-voting observer please email the assembly office at United Reformed Church House – general.assembly@urc.org.uk – with your name, address and telephone number and the assembly office will make all the necessary arrangements. Reservations can be taken up to 22 June. Assembly will be held at the Spa Complex, Scarborough from 6-9 July. Accommodation is in local hotels and the all-inclusive cost for non-members, to include accommodation, meals and supplementary papers, is £105.00 per person per day

After a long vacancy for Sefton Road, Morecambe & Christ Church, Broadway there was cause for celebration on Saturday 17th March when Graham Maskery was inducted as minister of the new joint pastorate.   The church at Sefton Road was full for the celebration with strong representation from Graham’s former churches (St. Columba’s, York and Christ Church, Goole) together with Lancashire Area and local ecumenical friends.  Members of St. Columba’s and Christ Church augmented the joint choir from the two Morecambe churches for the singing of Introit and Anthem.  Councillor Keith Sowden, Deputy Mayor of the City of Lancaster, attended the service and brought greetings on behalf of the civic community.

Graham’s service as the United Reformed Church’s representative on the Anglican General Synod and his strong ecumenical commitment and reputation were reflected in the personal Greetings read out from, among others, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and Cardinal Kasper.   In his sermon the preacher, Revd. Canon Jeremy Fletcher, Vicar of Beverley Minster, affirmed the new minister’s breadth of worship styles, his ability to bring together Christians of differing convictions and his seriousness to move beyond chaplaincy to mission.   In the absence of the Moderator (on sabbatical leave) the service was led by the Synod Clerk, Revd. Geoffrey Clarke.   For Geoffrey not only was it the first time he had presided at a minister’s Induction but it was also a personal pleasure to do so for Graham as the two of them had commenced their ministerial training at Northern College on the same day back in 1987.

On the following day the two congregations combined for a united morning Communion service at Christ Church where the celebrations continued.

(The picture shows Revd. Graham Maskery, Revd. Robert Canham (Interim Moderator) and Revd. Geoffrey Clarke)

A visit to the Holy Land provides opportunities and experiences that, as well as lasting a lifetime, can develop your understanding of faith.

Revd. Brian Jolly (Altrincham United Reformed Church) and Leo Roberts (CYDO) are leading a small group (20 members) on a 12-day visit to the Holy Land from 23rd August 2012 to 3rd September 2012. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a ‘first come; first served’ basis.

   We will not only be visiting the Gospel sites (following Jesus’ life – starting in Bethlehem, visiting Nazareth, then Galilee before spending time in Jerusalem) but will also have the opportunity to meet with members of local faith communities – Christian, Muslim and Jewish. Hearing their stories and learning a little of their lives will inform us about the Holy Land and help us to begin to understand what it means to live in the Holy Land today.

The trip is open to anyone aged 16+ (or younger if accompanied by a parent)

The cost of the trip, including flights, accommodation (twin rooms, en-suite, on a half-board basis) and all internal transport is £1375.  

For further information, or to get an application pack, please get in touch with leo Roberts (directly, or via the Synod office)

Thursday, 23^rd August

Meet at Manchester Airport 0700, departing on flight LS907 at 10.00.

Arrive Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv

at 17.15. Transfer to Bethlehem.

Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem, at The Bethlehem Hotel

Friday 24^th August  Jerusalem/Bethlehem orientation

Today we travel around Bethlehem and Jerusalem to get our bearings. In the morning we travel east from Bethlehem into the desert to Herodion, the summer palace and burial place of King Herod. Later we travel a short distance to the north to circle the Old City of Jerusalem, stopping for lunch and spectacular views from Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives (to the east), and the Haas Promenade (to the south).

Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem, at The Bethlehem Hotel

Saturday 25^th August 

In and around Bethlehem

This morning we visit Dheisheh Refugee Camp, to hear from residents about the history of the camp and life today. Later we view the Separation Barrier and hear from other residents of Bethlehem about living under occupation. After lunch we visit the Shepherd’s Fields in the village of Beit Sahour, to the east of Jerusalem Bethlehem, before walking through Bethlehem Old City to the Church of the Nativity.

Today includes a meeting with  Jack Giacaman and his family, and a visit to their olive wood factory & shop.

Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem, at The Bethlehem Hotel

 Sunday 26^th August 

Bethlehem & Jericho

We join the Lutheran congregation at Bethlehem Christmas Church for morning worship, and afterwards visit the Lutheran International Centre of Bethlehem.

In the afternoon we transfer from Bethlehem to the desert oasis of Jericho, situated at the lowest point on the earth’s surface. We visit Tel Jericho and view the hills of Jordan to the east, before arriving at Jericho Resort Hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Jericho Resort Hotel

Monday 27^th August 

Beside the Dead Sea

An early morning start to drive south along the western shore of the Dead Sea to Masada, King Herod’s Winter Palace. After an audio-visual presentation explaining the history of Masada, we ascend the mountain by cable car to tour the archaeological excavations and enjoy spectacular views of the Dead Sea.

Late morning and early afternoon provide opportunity to experience the facilities of the Dead Sea Spa at Ein Gedi (including Dead Sea mud, the Dead Sea, mineral & fresh water pools). Later in the afternoon we return to Jericho, stopping en route to visit the archaeological excavations at Qumran, the 1^st century desert centre for the Essene Community, where the Dead Sea scrolls were written.

Dinner and overnight at Jericho Resort Hotel

Tuesday 28^th August 

The Jordan Valley and Nazareth

Today we travel north along the Jordan Valley to Nazareth to visit Mary’s Well, the Basilica of the Annunciation and Nazareth village before making our way to Kibbutz Ma Agan, situated on the south eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Dinner and overnight at

Kibbutz Ma Agan, Sea of Galilee

Wednesday 29^th August 

The Sea of Galilee

Today is spent beside the Sea of Galilee, and includes visits to Kursi, Bethsaida,  Capernaum, Mensa Christi, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes, and a boat ride.

Dinner and overnight at

Kibbutz Ma Agan, Sea of Galilee

Thursday 30^th August

The Mediterranean Coast

This morning we head west to the Mediterranean coast, for a morning visit to Caeserea Maritima. In the afternoon we make our way up to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Dinner and overnight at the

Notre Dame Centre, Jerusalem

Friday 31^st August

The Old City of Jerusalem

Today begins with visits to the Church of the Pater Noster and Dominus Flevit on the Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Later we cross the Kidron Valley to enter the Old City of Jerusalem and walk the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Sorrows) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Other visits inside the Old City include The Church of St Anne, the pools of Bethesda, St James’ Armenian Cathedral and the Western Wall.

Dinner and overnight at

Notre Dame Centre, Jerusalem

 Saturday 1^st September  -  The Temple Mount, Bethany and West Jerusalem

This morning begins with a visit to Harem-esh-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) to view the Al Aqsa Mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock. Later we visit Bethany, the home village of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

Ain the afternoon we visit the memorial to the Holocaust (Yad Vashem) and an extensive model of 1^st century Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.

Dinner and overnight at Notre Dame Centre, Jerusalem

Sunday 2^nd September  - Jerusalem/Hebron

This morning we worship with the Palestinian congregation at St George’s Anglican Cathedral in East Jerusalem

In the afternoon, we will visit Hebron with a member of the Israel Committee Against House Demolitions to visit the Tombs of the Patriarchs and meet with the Christian Peacemaker Team.

Dinner and overnight at Notre Dame Centre, Jerusalem

Monday 3^rd September

Emmaus …. and home

This morning we will visit one of the 4 traditional sites of Emmaus where we will celebrate Communion to end our visit, before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Depart Tel Aviv on flight LS908, arriving in Manchester at 22.00

There are still places available on this visit – don’t miss out on this marvellous opportunity

Congratulations to Macclesfield United Reformed Church who received the Child Friendly Church Award plaque (and certificate) at the North Western Synod meeting at Gatley URC on March 10th 2012. Representatives from the church, including the minister, Rev Marion Tugwood (pictured) were on hand to receive the recognition the church deserves.

Having worked diligently at the process for over 18 months (during which a major refurbishment was also taking place at the church) it was fantastic to see the church’s hard work rewarded.

If your church would like to consider applying for the Child Friendly Church Award contact Leo Roberts.

the church will need to complete the church self-assessment form (right click and Save Link As … the form can be downloaded onto your computer)

Ever wanted to have a theme park just for your youth group?

Ever wanted to listen to some fantastic bands on a main stage?

Well, we can’t offer you the theme park just for your youth group, but we CAN offer you Camelot only for youth groups from across the North West – for One Summer Knight only!

• Take one theme park – exclusively ours
• Add a stage full of young Christian artists
• Mix in about 2000 young people
• Top it all with a headline session from Chip K

it all goes together to make one summer night to remember!

Saturday, June 16th 2012

6-10pm

Camelot Theme Park, Charnock Richard

Booking is essential – and book early to get a great discount!

£10 before 7th April

£13 from 8th April

The event is predominantly aimed at 10-15 year olds (the rides for younger children will not be available on the evening)

For more details visit the One Summer Knight website or phone 07931 828192

and download an application form HERE (right click and Save Link As … the form will be downloaded to your computer)