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1.1 The Northern Province Synod:

• exercises an overview of the life and work of the Church throughout the whole of its area,

• enables and resources the Districts to develop their life, witness and mission,

• provides support and inspiration for individuals, local churches and communities of interest.

This expression of the task of the Synod arose out of a Vision Day involving the Province’s Planning, Mission and Resources Committee in May 1997. This was an opportunity to rethink how the Province needed to address the changing situation in its area and earth some dreams in strategic planning. This was pursued under a number of heads which were taken up and developed by Synod.

2.1 We recognised that these represented opportunity and challenge across the whole of our area which were not ours alone but related to the life and work of all our ecumenical partners. Moreover they had to be rooted in a proper understanding of our whole community and the way in which it is changing.

2.2 So we invited the Newcastle Church Relations Group to engage in a consultation on the deployment of ministerial resources to lead to an agreed plan for the common witness of the Church and the Churches’ Regional Commission in the North East to establish a communications task group on how to inform the churches on major regeneration plans and what their implications were for the Churches’ planning separately and together and the use of resources.

3.1 There was a concern about quality in the life of local churches in terms of the presentation of worship and nurture, study and pastoral care, and about inviting, preparing and supporting people in situations of leadership.

3.2 So we have asked one of our committees to create appropriate opportunities for developing worship skills, communication, preaching, leading prayers, use of music - and our Development Team to arrange a series of pilot opportunities for key personnel in local churches on strategies for devolving leadership. How does your garden grow ? is having its first trial run this year.

4.1 A great deal of work has been done recently in seeking to make the regular visits of local churches by District Councils as creative and effective as possible. Where this has worked well we have seen the value of challenging churches to think through their strategy and do their planning for mission in a way that means that churches can learn from each other’s good practice and take heed from the warnings of things that have gone wrong. We believe that this can work in terms of different relationships of councils of the Church across the Province, and probably the whole Church.

4.2 Therefore Synod proposes to visit each District Council to enable the District to share its vision and plans for its life and mission from time to time with visitors from the Province starting in 1998 with the Northumberland and Newcastle Districts. And we have asked Mission Council to make arrangements for the review by visitors of the life, witness and mission of the Province in the year 2001. Because we consider that it could be of value, we have proposed that Mission Council explore the possibility of establishing a regular process of such visits to Provinces as a matter of course.

5.1 Arts on the Road was the Province’s way of marking 25 years of fellowship and work together. A core exhibition of calligraphy, paintings, embroidery, lace, proggi mats, glass and woodwork was assembled and established in eleven sites across the whole Province. The centrepiece was a quilt formed from 49 squares made in different local churches and the Celtic cross that provided the symbol for the Province in the 1997 Assembly display.

5.2 At each location the core was supplemented with a locally generated display of arts and crafts. There was usually a focus event such as an organ recital, Songs of Praise or dramatic presentation.

6.1 We continue to hold our Autumn Synod over two days, with an evening session on the Friday as well as morning and afternoon on Saturday. This enables us to take some leisure to explore important issues, often in workshop mode, as well as ensure that necessary business has sufficient time.

6.2 One of these has considered Synod itself and raised some sharp questions about just how accessible our councils are to those who are not always in on the know. We are currently exploring how to strike the right balance between meeting as a learning and growing fellowship and enabling the business to be properly conducted - and part of that proper conduct is about ensuring that everyone has a full understanding of the issues involved and an opportunity to make an impact upon them.

1.1 Last October one hundred and forty young people from the North Western and Yorkshire Provinces enjoyed a unique youth event in Leeds. For fun, there were films, concerts and walks, and on a more serious note there were discussions on Fair Trade. A video message was sent to leading Supermarkets urging them to stock more Fair Trade goods. Both Provinces hope to co-operate to hold similar events in the future.

2.1 As most stipendiary ministers are now deployed in group pastorates, we have been giving serious consideration to the needs of each congregation to identify with a ‘Designated Lay Leader’. We see this role not as an alternative to ordained ministry, but as a complement to it. Churches in Bolton have benefited from this type of leadership for many years, and it is now being offered within the Province. A Lay Leader would receive training, and would be approved by District Council. He/she would act as a ‘channel of communication’ to ensure that pastoral information is gathered from the congregation, or community, and passed on to the minister or Elders Team. Lay Leadership is viewed as a specific role within the Eldership. We are not creating another ‘layer of leadership’ or threatening the United Reformed Church concept of Eldership, Churches will not be obliged to have Designated Lay Leaders but some are already choosing to put this scheme into practice. The March Synod supported the principle but commissioned more work to be done on the details.

3.1 Last September marked a significant ‘beginning’ for churches in Darwen. Representatives of three Methodist, two Anglican and four United Reformed Churches, signed an Ecumenical Covenant at a service held on a new motorway bridge in the town - before the road opened for traffic! These churches believe it is better to share their resources with each other than form denominational grouping with churches with whom they have less in common. The mission of these churches has been strengthened. We hope this is a venture other towns will follow in future.

4.1 The manse of Ravenstonedale United Reformed Church, High Chapel House, has now been refurbished and is being used to accommodate people who need a time of rest and reflection. Assembly representatives are welcome to find out more about the Ravenstonedale Project by visiting the display area during Assembly.

District Boundaries

The Synod formally reports to the General Assembly, under paragraph 2(4)(ii) of the Basis and Structure, that at its meeting of Synod on 1 November 1997, it was agreed that Huyton United Reformed Church move from West Lancashire District to the Liverpool District.

1.1 The Mersey Province will not be alone in seeking ways forward to meet the challenges facing our Church. Considerable time has been given to find practical and equitable solutions to the sharing of Ministry among our congregations. It is a sensitive matter for all involved; patience, understanding and hope are essential ingredients to the process. Part of our hope in the Province is the pilot scheme for the training of Local Church Leaders. The twenty week course was attended by sixteen people from across the Province and, at the time of writing, had proved to be of interest and value to those concerned. The outcome of how the skills and experience of the trainees, to be commissioned by District Council, will benefit the churches is in the process of being determined.

2.1 As a result of the ‘Gift of Grace’ via CWM to the Mersey Province plans are advancing for the replacement of the ‘temporary premises’, now in their 12th year, with a planned and well-equipped centre in Liverpool. The scheme is exciting and we believe it will be an important asset in serving the staff and churches of the Province.

3.1 In the last few years our Province has sought to build on our exchange visits - the Church and Education. In 1998 our contacts with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland continue with an exchange visit of United Reformed Church members belonging to Police Forces in Merseyside and Cheshire, with the RUC. The exchange has been particularly welcomed by our Northern Ireland counterparts.

4.1 With the North Western Province we share the link with the United Church of Christ (USA), Northern Illinois Conference, and in 1997 our Minister, Brian Acty, from Manor Church Centre, Wallasey, enjoyed his visit to rural churches and those in the City of Chicago.

5.1 Plans are well advanced for June 1998 with a day at Upholland called ‘Take My Gifts’. A series of ‘Workshops’ are to be held covering every aspect of church life, where members can come and brush up their skills, explore new ideas and learn different ways of approach.

6.1 Last Autumn a new Chaplain, the Revd John Scott (from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland), was inducted to his post in the University of Liverpool and John Moores University. His arrival reminded us of the wide variety of needs of the City of Liverpool - education, employment, etc. One bright spot in 1997 was the ‘Songs of Praise’ recording of Mersey Glory from Goodison Park, enjoyed by those who were there and viewers at home.

7.1 Sadly we record the closure of two churches in the Province at Fairfield, Liverpool, and at Sandbach in Cheshire. However the small Church at Elmwood Avenue in Warrington deserves a medal for persistence. After many years of frustration they were able to celebrate the opening of their new premises in 1997 on the site of their old buildings in conjunction with a housing development scheme. During 1998 the Provincial Property Task Group is holding a seminar day titled ‘Re-pitching the Tent’ to show how our churches can see the possibilities of old, worn-out buildings becoming renewed for the new Millennium.

District Boundaries

The Synod formally reports to the General Assembly, under paragraph 2(4)(ii) of the Basis and Structure, that at its meeting of Synod on 1 November 1997, it was agreed that Huyton United Reformed Church move from West Lancashire District to the Liverpool District.

emorable Provincial events. On Saturday 28 June, our retiring Provincial Moderator, Revd Donald Hilton, to whom we paid tribute in last year’s Report to Assembly, conducted his farewell service, a celebration of ministry, at St Andrew’s Church, Roundhay. And then, on Saturday 4 October, Donald’s successor, Revd Arnold Harrison, was inducted to his new ministry at Longcauseway United Reformed Church, Dewsbury. Both these events brought real inspiration to the large congregations that attended them. Reports of our death have, indeed, been greatly exaggerated!

2.1 In addition to our new Provincial Moderator, we welcomed to the Province this year our first Youth and Children’s Work Trainer, Mick Maskell. His appointment became possible when, in March 1997, Synod repented of its reluctance to make such an appointment in 1995. We anticipate exciting new developments as Mick joins with our Director of Training, Jim Wilkinson, in forming a new training team.

3.1 Yorkshire people’s reputation for being ‘canny’ sustained a heavy blow in March 1997, when Synod scornfully rejected the invitation to contribute 2% of our investment income to a central fund shared between Provinces - and insisted, instead, that our contribution should be 5%. There is a reluctance, however, to see inter-Provincial sharing only in terms of cash: in October, we hosted in Leeds the LYNX youth conference, in which 150 young people from all four northern Provinces joyfully shared, exploring, amongst other things, the potential of Information Technology within the church. In June, our ministers are due to be joined by their colleagues from Northern Province at the feet of Bishop Jack Spong, who galvanised a previous Yorkshire ministers’ summer school in 1995.

4.1 Why are people associated with our churches so reluctant to commit themselves to full membership? Is it, as has been suggested, part of a wider malaise that makes us today reluctant to commit ourselves to anything, or any organisation, that makes costly demands on us? If so, it may be that one antidote to this apathy has been found in the Alpha courses, which have been successfully run by a number of our churches, and have been found to be genuinely challenging. Developments in Pilots illustrate both the strength and the weakness of church life. We have been unable to appoint a successor to Margaret Batty, who has resigned after many years of faithful service as our Provincial Pilot Officer; but a number of our fellowships report a renewal of interest in Pilot companies at the local level.

1.1 Working Together has been very much on the province agenda since the 1997 Assembly.

2.1 The Province Training Team, headed by John Quilter and Revd Elizabeth Nash, each very experienced in their fields, also includes Carole and Grenville Jackson, John Norwebb, Julian Sanders and Revds Mair Bradley, Ivor Smith and Brian Russell.

2.2 Together they offer a training resource across the whole province whilst John and Elizabeth also make a significant input to the national church. We also rejoice that we are able to share Elizabeth with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches whom she serves as Moderator of the Department of Co-operation and Witness.

3.1 The Hong Kong Gift of Grace of some £28,000 made to the Province came just at the time when we were discussing a Province Mission Policy. We still do not have an agreed written policy but we do have one positive outcome. The money is to be used for the expenses of a three year appointment of a Province Mission Enabler, based in South Leicestershire. The Revd Moiseraele Prince Dibeela of the United Congregational Church in Southern Africa in Botswana has been appointed.

4.1 The Province Evangelism Team, first set up in response to a General Assembly resolution many years ago continues in being and has recently been brought more into the structural life of the Synod and reports directly to our Executive Committee. Their brief is to raise awareness of the opportunities, importance and methodologies of evangelism and to assist province, districts and churches in their evangelism.

5.1 The financial contribution of £13,813 made to this province as a result of this exercise has enabled us to make our contribution to the national funds of the expenses of the Youth And Children’s Training Work Officer and without this help from other provinces we would have been very hard pressed indeed.

6.1 Within the Province a major piece of work has been going on to make the East Midlands Province Trust more accountable to the churches and more responsive to the needs of to-day and to-morrow. The quinquennial surveys, required by law on listed buildings and properties in conservation areas and advisable for all properties, are now being organised by the province property committee and funded from the Redundant Buildings Fund. This type of good stewardship of buildings is now paying off as some properties, now on their second or third inspections, appear to be much improved.

7.1 Ecumenical Sharing continues to be high on the agenda of many people in the province and in many places is a great joy. We have to report that in several places difficulties have arisen, usually following changes of personnel, when previous agreements have been ignored or evaded and we would like to see a more general spirit of ecumenical co-operation at all levels as the norm rather than as an exception.

8.1 The new pattern of District visits has been welcomed as another way in which churches can share their spiritual and practical expertise. It is gradually being adopted across the province and the challenge is being taken up of the greater number of people who will need to be involved in these visits.

The Synod formally reports to the General Assembly, under paragraph 2(4)(ii) of the Basis and Structure, that it was agreed that Brackley United Reformed Church and Buckingham LEP (URC/Methodist) move from Northamptonshire District to Milton Keynes District.

1.1 Over the past year, much effort has been put into developing a vision for the Province. Churches were asked for statements on their mission, discussion groups at Synod contributed further, and Synod Council held a 24-hour meeting to review the results. What is emerging is a clearer picture of the hopes and fears of people in the Province, and how these can be translated into a positive plan of action over the next few years so that our life and work in the West Midlands respond to the calling of the Spirit.

2.1 The staffing changes planned last year have now been implemented, and we have been delighted to welcome new faces to the Provincial team. Rachel Greening joined us as Trust and Property Officer last May, and is already finding that there is more than enough to do in advising local churches how to tackle some of their building problems, and in trying to develop a Provincial property strategy.

2.2 Neil Messer joined us this January from Maidenhead United Reformed Church as our first half-time Training Officer and United Reformed Church Tutor at the Queen’s Foundation. There is great demand for his expertise, and the only problem is how to make sure that his workload is realistic and manageable.

2.3 Our secretarial support has been strengthened by Patricia Willetts, who joined us last April primarily to support the Trust and Property Officer, Clerk and Treasurer, but is also providing much-needed computer expertise.

2.4 We have commenced the required five-yearly review of the YCWT post, and await the report with interest.

3.1 Our links with Queen’s have been further strengthened by a joint working group to develop a strategy across the Province to encourage vocations. This is a long-term piece of work, but one we see as our contribution to try and address the shortage of ordained ministry in the United Reformed Church. At present, the group is concentrating on planning visits by students from Queen’s to local churches and councils to talk about ministry, and on the possible production of a video about the non-stipendiary ministry.

4.1 In all Districts Pastoral Committees are devoting considerable time to the form of pastoral visitations in the recognition that these have not always met their objectives. Much has been learned from the approaches used by different Districts, and it is hoped to develop some joint training for visitors through the Training Officer.

4.2 The structure of Districts is also much on the minds of Councils, and changes are being made to try and improve the way they operate and to encourage more people to participate in its activities. Some years ago, Worcester and Hereford merged most of its committees into one. Staffordshire has recently constituted its own Mission Council, replacing many previous committees, and Shropshire is also considering simplifying its committee structure. Birmingham is in the middle of an imaginative two-year programme discussing its mission strategy, and Coventry and Warwickshire has also been conducting a District review of its pastorates, concentrating initially on one of the Coventry groups where one of the ministers will retire shortly.

4.3 Tomkin, a very small church in the north of the Staffordshire, has been designated as a Mission Project under the oversight of the District Council to encourage its survival and development. In Gloucestershire, the United Reformed Church in Cirencester has united with the local Methodist Church in the latter’s buildings, while at Tetbury a United Reformed Church minister is being sought to work both in the united church with the Methodists and in the Methodist Circuit, which includes Cirencester. It is also hoped that one, if not both, of the two Special Category Ministries approved in Coventry and Warwickshire (one in the north, and the other combining a half-time pastorate in Leamington Spa with the Mission in the World of Work based in Coventry) will be filled shortly. Over the Province, the number of ministerial vacancies remains worringly high, not least because of a number of imminent retirals.

5.1 We have continued the practice of trying to focus on one or two main issues at each Synod. We were delighted to welcome the Assembly Moderator and his wife to our October meeting, and to have Marjorie Lewis-Cooper with us in March, when
we also concentrated on the CCBI Report on Unemployment and the Future of Work.

5.2 Considerable interest is being generated in the Jubilee 2000 campaign focusing on the G8 Summit in Birmingham, and we hope to have a large Provincial presence there on Saturday 16 May.

5.3 The United Reformed Church is participating in the Millennium working groups established in each county ecumenical area and, instead of the previously held Provincial ‘Family Day’, we are planning a Millennium worship event in Worcester Cathedral for our churches as part of our October 1999 Synod.

5.4 Another highlight in 1999 will be the presence of the Assembly Moderator from our Province at our March Synod. Wilma and Iain are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

1.1 1997 saw a number of personnel changes within the Province. In February, our new Provincial Moderator, Elizabeth Caswell took over from Bill Gathercole. We wished Bill and his wife Betty well as they moved to York for a well-earned retirement.

1.2 Elizabeth has fitted into her busy timetable a comprehensive programme of getting to know the ministers in the Province. As was planned during the latter part of Bill’s time with us, the Whittlesford Office near Cambridge has become fully operational as the hub of Province’s activities, with Elizabeth and her family moving to live close by.

1.3 During the summer, Ken Woods took over from William McVey as Synod Clerk. William had agreed to stay on to aid the transition to a new Moderator. In the autumn, David Tatem moved on to pastoral charge outside the Province, at Bedford. His place has been taken by Lawrence Bennett Moore as our new Training and Development Officer. Lawrence, whose roots are in Southern Africa, is a Baptist layman with theological training. Rosemary Scarrow (CWTO) and Henry Playle (YLTO) remain to complete the training team.

2.1 A major highlight of the year was undoubtedly the Province Day Out, on the pilgrimage theme of ‘On the Move’. We had chosen a new venue in the north of the Province — at Thetford in Norfolk. Blessed with fine weather, estimates of attendance exceeded 600 visitors. We borrowed two friends from across the border in Thames North — Elizabeth Byrne and Ian Smith — who led us in worship during the day. In addition to a whole range of fun and activities, we tried out a new idea - information sessions on the work of Provincial committees. The finance and property presentations were predictably less well-attended than Monty Helmn’s magic show, but nonetheless seemed to have been much appreciated by those who had sought out ‘Money and Mortar’. The Listed Buildings presentation drew a fair level of interest, possibly reflecting the concerns of affected congregations as they strive to make their buildings relevant within the constraints of historical conservation.

2.2 On the sad side of Provincial life, the year has not been without its difficulties. There have been two disciplinary hearings for ministers in the Province. The common feature has been that, irrespective of the outcome, there is much pain for the church(es), minister and all others involved. The new ‘Section O’ procedures can be expected to clarify processes for the future, but can never take away that pain.

2.3 The Training Strategy Group continues to develop its support role for the training team. We were pleased to have Rosemary Johnston speak to Synod, with some reflections on our attitudes to children in the Church.

2.4 Interest in the world of work — including, as elsewhere in the country, difficulties for rural communities - have engaged our Church and Society Committee. Also, the autumn Synod heard some challenging words from Chris Warner, our Industrial Chaplain for Norfolk and Waveney.

2.5 Church and Society has also been considering the issues of reconciliation from Graz, and Jubilee 2000. In addition, the committee has now set itself the task of pondering what changes regionalisation might make to local politics in our part of the world. Recently, we were pleased to welcome Peter Brain to one of our committee meetings.

3.1 As the Province Day Out is every other year, we are planning a new venture for this summer — a Roadshow that will visit different areas of the Province over a one week period. Watch this space!!

3.2 Consultation between local United Reformed Churches has continued to take place within the Province on mission strategy. Significant work is being done on a District-wide basis within two of our Districts. In addition, the Ministries Committee, together with the Church Development & Ecumenical Committee, organised a one-day seminar on use of our resources. The objective was to see in what new ways we should be using our ministers, money, and buildings. As we consider the reducing numbers of ministers, we wrestle with its impact on fulfilling aspirations. The way forward remains far from clear, but we are not despondent at the challenge.

3.3 As local churches seek to find what God is calling them to be or do, we are confident that we have the skills, energy and enthusiasm to rise to that call.

1.1 After several years of changing personnel within the Synod office, a whole year with a settled full complement of staff has enabled us to consider how we might better serve Districts, United Areas and local churches.

1.2 The Synod agreed during the year to send Provincial teams to visit District and Area Councils to reflect with them on their effectiveness, improve communication, and discuss the viability of existing structures. It is hoped that it will also highlight training needs, and even Provincial policy for investment in areas of growth and ecumenical opportunities.

1.3 Those who hold the training brief within the Province are seeking to work more collaboratively. The Revd Roy Lowes (Director of Training), Mr Ivan Andrews (Youth and Children’s Work Trainer) and the Revd Helena McKinnon (Silence and Retreats) have agreed ‘to provide, promote and co-ordinate appropriate learning opportunities in Christian education, church life, spirituality and mission for local churches, Districts and Areas’ within the Province. The ‘team’ has already identified others within the province with particular areas of expertise who can help resource local churches.

1.4 The Province continues to be committed to Mission, and in ecumenical partnership wherever possible:

a) In January a declaration of intent was signed between the Church of England, Methodist Church, Baptist Association and United Reformed Church to work together at Locking Castle in the Bristol District. Already the United Reformed Church provides one-third funding of the stipend of a Methodist Deaconness working in this new housing development.

b) The United Reformed Church has also provided a small but significant proportion of the costs of the new Severnside Industrial Chaplain - an ecumenical appointment in the growing industrial area at Avonmouth.

c) One third of the support costs of a Methodist deaconness in North Swindon Abbeymeads housing development are also paid by the United Reformed Church. The Methodists and Baptists (under a long-standing agreement) will join us in building a church at Abbeymeads as soon as the developers release the site. Under the leadership of Deaconess Maureen Spinks, about 60 people gather for worship regularly, after less than two years’ work.

1.5 It would be wrong to report only success stories. There is continuing concern at the decline in church membership within the Province. A mission-orientated church cannot neglect the need for a viable ‘home base’ from which it can reach out. There are signs of several areas of opportunity and outreach in which local churches are keen to be involved, but have not the human resources to back up their commitment with action.

1.6 This suggests the need for more strategic placing of ministry, use of buildings, and financial resources. It is hoped that the present round of Provincial visits to Districts will be a first step to facing these issues together.

1.1 Throughout the year, the Province has been looking at priorities in the life of the churches. Over the past few years all our church buildings have been inspected, and considerable work has been done to bring them up to standard for the late 1990s.

1.2 Following this work, much emphasis has been placed on the use of our buildings and the standards required in worship. There have been two training days held for Ministers under the title of ‘Good Practice and Worship in the Reformed Tradition’, days that have included training for all-age worship. Later in the year there is to be a further day for Lay Preachers and Worship Leaders. Much of the thinking concerning worship arises out of discussions on the question of ‘Fair Shares of Ministry’. Whilst the Districts are seeking to accept a reduction in full-time Stipendiary Ministers, much needs to be done to encourage Lay Leadership, an issue we are seeking to address.

1.3 The Province was pleased to host the General Assembly in 1997, and as a result of that Assembly has been busy appointing panels for ministerial discipline. A consultation for those who will be involved with ‘Accompanied Self-Appraisal for Ministers’ will have been held by the time of this year’s General Assembly. Representatives from the Province attended a consultation weekend over ‘District Visits’, and a further day has been arranged to help those within the Districts on best practices for future visits/consultations to local churches.

1.4 Our association with the Southampton District of the Methodist Church continues to be fruitful, and we are sharing thoughts and ideas on a regular basis and are represented on the respective Methodist District/United Reformed Church Province committees. We have also adopted, and are working on, a policy for sharing resources ecumenically, and are pleased to note that this issue has been taken up by the central Church Committees on Ecumenism.

1.5 Health and Healing has also been an issue presented at the March 1998 Synod, work which is also shared with our Methodist colleagues.

1.6 Looking to the future, we are involved in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the death of Isaac Watts and expect to be involved in BBC broadcasts on this Southampton minister

1.7 The last Synod also included a presentation concerned with the Jubilee 2000 Coalition.

1.8 With the emphasis on worship and pastoral care, the Province is seeking to be ready for the many opportunities of the new millennium, and we are glad to share with other Provinces our resources as well as our prayers.

Change seems to be the theme that underpins much of what we have to report this year.

1.1 Every District Council is engaged in deep and prayerful consideration of the implications of having fewer Ministers available to deploy in the future. The challenge this situation presents goes to the heart of how many local churches perceive themselves and their ministry. Plans are at varying stages of development for the formation of ‘Areas of Shared Ministry’, ‘Clusters’ or ‘Focus Groups’ to enable ministry (in the widest sense of the word) to be developed and shared.

1.2 During 1997 the Province sought, through workshops and market place events, to help churches live with and manage the change that will inevitably go hand in hand with this re-evaluation of ministerial provision.

1.3 For 1998 the focus has moved to assisting Districts and churches to better understand the concept of shared ministry, and to the training of Ministers and others to work together effectively.

1.4 We believe that the Holy Spirit is speaking to the churches through the changes in ministerial deployment. We are developing training policies focussed upon releasing people - both lay and ordained - to live out the priesthood of all believers and so strengthen the mission of the Church. Our aim is that today’s challenges should not signify decline to church members, but stimulate both numerical and spiritual growth.

2.1 The Provincial office has been situated at the City Temple for a great many years. However, several factors combined to convince the Synod Executive that a move was desirable. Within weeks of that decision we became aware of office space available in a building recently purchased by the Council for World Mission - in Great Peter Street, London SW1 - in which their own central offices are situated. The premises have since been refitted to meet our needs and by Easter 1998 we expect to be settled in offices that will offer us the space and facilities we shall need for several years to come.

3.1 In last year’s report we wrote of the preparations for a Provincial Celebration in July 1998, centring upon a production of the musical Godspell, using the London Arena in Docklands and joining with Southern Province for the first such co-operative venture. The preparatory work occupied many people throughout much of 1997. Unfortunately, excitement turned to disappointment in February when the London Arena suddenly reneged on the contract.

3.2 However, after a great deal of frantic activity, we are now planning to step forward in faith by moving the entire venture to a vast big top situated at Mudchute Farm near the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs.

3.3 Watch out for more about Godspell in a circus ring next year!

4.1 The past year has seen a number of significant changes amongst the officers of the Province. Having stepped into the breach as Acting Synod Clerk for eighteen months, and gained the respect and indebtedness of the whole Province, Maurice Husselbee was able to return to retirement following the appointment of a new Synod Clerk - Adrian Bulley - in April. Within the Province, the Synod Clerk is now supported by the appointment of an Assistant Synod Clerk - Michael Gould. Finally, Maurice Dyson retired as Synod Treasurer in December, and was replaced by Valerie Ham.

4.2 At the end of 1997 Sandra Ackroyd completed her term as Thames North Youth and Children’s Work Training Officer. Her training skills with youth and children’s workers, and her own work amongst children and young people have been highly valued. Sandra continues to serve the church in her new position as Co-ordinator of the Urban Churches Support Group. It is anticipated that the appointment of a Youth and Children’s Work Training and Development Officer will soon be possible.

4.3 The October Synod agreed to the appointment of a Mission and Evangelism Enabler with responsibility for working alongside local churches to help them identify, resource and monitor opportunities for mission and evangelism. The appointee will also be responsible for the recruitment and training of a team of people who will act as catalysts in the Province in the areas of mission and evangelism. The response to advertisements has been very encouraging and we hope an appointment will be made before Easter 1998.

4.4 It is not possible to summarise adequately the contribution of Janet Sowerbutts to the Province as Moderator since 1990. Her ministry has been exceptionally caring, challenging and constructive, and greatly appreciated. We plan to mark the close of this chapter in the life of the Province with a service of thanksgiving and a reception in July.

4.5 Our sense of loss at Janet’s departure is tempered by our feelings of excitement as we anticipate the induction of Roberta Rominger in September.

4.6 Following so many changes in personnel, we look forward to now being able to draw on the gifts of the whole provincial team to serve the churches.

Thames North Synod formally reports to General Assembly, under paragraph 2(4)(ii) of the Basis and Structure, that at its meeting on 11 October 1997, it was agreed that Queens Park United Reformed Church move from Central and North London District to West London District.

1.1 On Education Sunday this year we were reminded of the powerful influence of stories and story-telling in every culture and community.

1.2 The dramatic stories in the Bible address and shape our human living at every level, and we were glad to welcome to our October Synod the Revd Dr David Spriggs who challenged us to engage with ‘The Year of the Open Book’. The Provincial Weekend in February, attended by over 80 people, pursued this theme by exploring ways in which we might share more meaningfully the great Story of God’s relationship with the world. Through sessions led by David Spriggs and Colin Greene, and in workshops designed to help us in drama and story-telling, planning events, praying creatively, shaping society, and passing on the message we inspired to look afresh at how we might open up God’s great Story to the world as we move towards the next millennium. A presentation was made to the March Synod, with a challenge to all churches to explore how they might more effectively open wide the Book.

1.3 Story-telling also continues to hold an important place in each Synod as, in rotation, Districts offer a story of an event, a vision, a project or an experience which, through its telling, might stimulate and encourage others. These are not all success stories, and in October we were confronted with a situation in which a large number of children had been brought into a local church where, sadly, the demands and problems caused by the influx, proved too great for the project to continue. Such stories provide a focus for prayer and renewed commitment. In March the stories focused on the work among refugees in Croydon and the detainee centre in Gatwick, with an emphasis on the combined efforts of local churches in seeking to meet basic human needs.

2.1 Many churches in the Province have engaged or are engaging in Vision workshops, with the aim of clarifying and expressing the faith which they hold and how it might be communicated in word and deed. We are grateful to our Provincial Training Officer and our Evangelism Enabler for the help and stimulus they have provided. Districts are also beginning to think along similar lines. Croydon District, with more than 80 of its members present, gathered together for a Saturday workshop and produced the following Statement:

Croydon District, as part of the Church of Jesus Christ, witnesses to the Good News, guided by the Holy Spirit, and aims to encourage, support and train local churches in their mission, through:

pastoral care of churches and ministers;

commitment to growth in quality of worship, witness and service;

creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for people of all ages;

stimulating involvement in the wider work of the Church for healing, justice and peace;

developing ecumenical strategies to address the needs of our communities.

2.2 The aims of the Statement will be developed through Action Plans for the various District Departments, with the Statement being updated every two years.

3.1 One development during this last year has been that of the Ministry Self-Appraisal Scheme. The scheme, ‘Taking Stock’, was approved by Synod, and two blocks of two-day training for Appraisal Partners have now been completed. There are about 30 Appraisal Partners, lay and ordained, and the ordained Partners have engaged in their own self-appraisal prior to the scheme commencing fully in the early summer. The scheme is administered for the Province by Mr Neville Bedford, with the help of a co-ordinator from each District. We firmly believe that this scheme will offer greater support, encouragement and enrichment to those who serve Christ and the Church through ordained ministry.

3.2 Two other developments are still in embryo form. One is to move to the appointment of a full-time Provincial Development Officer, with responsibility for developing the Integrated Training Team within Southern Province, co-ordinating and engaging in Lay Ministry Training, facilitating Ministerial In-Service and Post Ordination Training, and developing the whole Provincial Programme.

3.3 The other is to invite each District to appoint a part-time mission enabler, lay or ordained, to work directly with the Provincial Evangelism Enabler.

4.1 The Provincial Religious Education Fund, brought into being many years ago, has been utilised to provide every pastorate in the Province with a copy of Let’s Discover the URC.

4.2 A day conference on Religious Education is being organised for all RE teachers and others in the Province concerned with religious education in schools. But that is a story for telling on another occasion!

1.1 One major emphasis of our life in the Wales Province is a clear commitment to encourage and enable training for the Whole People of God for Growth.

1.2 The Province establishes its training priorities through a Training Policy Working Group consisting of the Moderator, Provincial Training Officers, Provincial Ecumenical Officer, the Youth and Children’s Work Training Officer, Christian Education Secretary and others. Holding these interests together in this way we are able to plan our work and integrate training for the Whole People of God. What follows represents a flavour of our training activity.

2.1 The Training Policy Working Group advocates the TLS Course throughout the Province as the main opportunity for those who not only want to learn more about the Faith, but also for those who have a calling to work within the church. Our aim is to establish a TLS group in each of the six Districts which make up the Province. To enable this one of the two part time Provincial Training Officers, has been given particular responsibility of stimulating and encouraging the use of TLS. This forms a significant commitment to what we regard as an exciting element in training of the Whole People of God.

3.1 We have begun an exercise the aim of which is to encourage all ministers and every local congregation throughout the Province to discuss openly and honestly the expectations each has of the other. Entitled Great Expectations, it follows papers written within the Province asking What are ministers for? and What are Congregations for? To enable churches to discuss the issues involved we have produced a ‘pack’ which has been made available to every local congregation. It is our hope that after a year or so we can assess the conversations and the ‘growth’ that have ensued. The emphasis and basis of the exercise is trust, mutuality and the ministry of the Whole People of God.

4.1 Though not intended primarily as a training event, around 1,000 people of all ages from United Reformed Churches throughout Wales gathered at Brecon Cathedral for Provincial Day. With a welcome from the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, for the first time communion was celebrated in our Reformed tradition in the Cathedral. Apart from the worship and celebration people were encouraged to explore and learn together in workshops which ranged in subject from TLS to Devolution for Wales, using computers in the church to music.

5.1 Financial resources are always at a premium for the Wales Province so we were delighted that the United Reformed Church made available to us £28,000 of the total money it received as a gift of grace from CWM. It was decided to divide the money among projects throughout the Province which would encourage mission. One of the stipulations was that the money was not to be used for building projects. Districts were asked to draw up proposals for consideration and out of a number of imaginative proposals and most of those which were finally approved have a significant training as well as mission element.

• South Wales District - Mission Enabler working within an imaginative District Mission Strategy.

• Fairwater United Reformed/Methodist Church, Cardiff - Towards a ‘Time for God’ worker.

• Builth Wells Ecumenical Pastorate - Mission and Church Growth Project, instruments for a music and drama project.

• Brecon Rural Group - Expenses towards a Special Category Ministry for mission and growth in an area experiencing the classic signs of rural poverty and isolation.

• Newport URC - Setting up a Christian education resources library aimed particularly at children and young people.

• Pembrokeshire District - Providing expenses for a NSM whose ministry will be to encourage the churches in their work with children and young people.

• Christchurch URC, Rhyl - Priming capital for a Multi-Agency Rent Guarantee Scheme for the homeless.

• Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff - Towards a proposed Church Related Community Worker Project which the church hopes will have a significant role within the Canton Community.

6.1 Whilst focused on our local church contexts in Wales, our training agenda tries to reflect our belonging to the United Reformed Church in three nations. Whilst we are thankful for the experiences of others outside Wales which enrich our life we believe that the Wales Province also has valuable experience of being church to offer the wider church which arises out of our context. There is often a need to add to and adapt material offered by others to our situation, but as we think through our priorities the question of how we can share the insights Wales affords through its history, culture, language, ecclesiology, ecumenical commitment with the whole United Reformed Church - a broader kind of ecumenism - is always before us. However it is not only a matter of how we can share our experience, it is also a matter of how the rich academic resources that exist within Wales can be utilised by the wider church that is the United Reformed Church.

General Assembly alters the provincial boundaries to transfer the Isle of Axholme from the Yorkshire Province to the East Midlands Province.

The East Midlands Province and the Yorkshire Province have both agreed to the transfer of the Isle of Axholme to East Midlands in line with the Assembly resolution about harmonising ecumenical boundaries. There are no United Reformed Churches on the Island although the major settlement is the village of Epworth which has some significance in church history

General Assembly amends the Rules of Procedure in paragraph 3(3) by deleting the word ‘not’ in the first sentence.

The sentence to be amended reads ‘A nomination for election as Moderator of the General Assembly shall be made by a synod, the consent of the nominee not being required’.

The resolution arises from concerns that present procedures allow the nomination of many candidates with restricted support who do not necessarily wish to stand for election. Under the current rules agreed by Assembly some time ago and reviewed in 1994, nominees do not have the right to withdraw when nominated from within a Province for consideration by Synod. In the West Midlands, the procedure has resulted in several candidates being nominated to Synod, with the majority indicating that they do not wish to stand (in a recent instance, nine of the eleven nominated did not wish to stand). Under the present rules, they are not allowed to withdraw and their name has to be included on the Synod ballot paper.

However, when nominations from all the Synods reach the General Secretary, individuals are asked if they wish to stand for election by Assembly, and are allowed to withdraw at this stage. This seems inconsistent with the practice Synods are required to operate.

If agreed, the amendment would require the consent of the nominee being required at both the Synods and Assembly stages.

General Assembly resolves to amend a function of district council and to add categories to the membership of district council and synod as follows:

amend 2(3)(iv) by deleting the words: ‘from among its members’.

Add 2(3)(j): An elder who has been appointed by the district council as an interim moderator for the period of the appointment shall be a full member of the district council.

Add 2(4)(k): An elder who has been appointed by the district council as an interim moderator for the period of the appointment shall be a full member of the synod.

It is considered anomalous that retired United Reformed Church ministers who are appointed as interim moderators are automatically full members of District Council/Synod, whereas elders who are called upon to perform this valuable service on behalf of District Council are not. Co-opting such persons is not considered a satisfactory solution, given the limit of 12.

General Assembly amends the Structure in paragraph 3(1)(f) by inserting after the word ‘meeting’ a comma and the following words:

in its concern for mutual understanding within the life of the church, invite a representative of any Provincial Synod from which the General Secretary has duly received such notification to present to the General Assembly the main reason for its objection. After hearing any such presentation, the General Assembly shall.....

The present paragraph 3(1)(f) reads: If by such date such notice has not been received, the General Assembly shall at its next meeting vote on a motion to agree the amendment which shall require a simple majority of the members present and voting to pass.

Constitutional amendments require a majority of two-thirds of the members of Assembly to pass. The proposals are then referred to other councils of the church.

Paragraph 3(1)(f) deals with the responses from those councils. This proposal amends 3(1)(f) to give provincial synods which object to a particular constitutional change the opportunity to present to the General Assembly the main reasons for their objection.

General Assembly requests the Assembly Arrangements Committee to plan future Annual Meetings of Assembly on the basis that each one is fully residential.

This arises from views that the longer non-residential Assemblies are less satisfactory for all concerned than the shorter residential ones.

A considerable amount of time is spent by representatives at non-residential Assemblies in travelling to and from the Assembly venue, and in making their own arrangements for meals. It is harder to meet people as everyone is scattered, and they can lead to representatives being more isolated and, at times, lonely. As they run from Monday to Friday, they also restrict the ability of those in full-time work attending. Four days is taken to cover the business, and there are more restrictions on the time of sessions as account has to be taken of travelling time.

Residential Assemblies run from midday Saturday to the afternoon of Tuesday, and are more concentrated. Because there is no travelling time, sessions can start earlier and go on later if necessary. Mealtimes are fixed, and no time is wasted trying to find food. As people are on one site, it is much easier to make contact with other representatives.

While residential Assemblies are obviously more expensive, we believe they are more productive. The Resource Planning Advisory Group of Mission Council has been informed of this resolution because of the implications for the Budget.

General Assembly recognises the value of work done by Churches which do not conform in all respects to the size, organisation or ministry implied by the Basis of Union and the Plan for Partnership and therefore requests Mission Council to set up a Task Group

1. to consider the opportunities, challenges and difficulties which such Churches face and

2. to draft a mechanism by which these can be tested.

General Assembly also directs synods and district councils to reflect on the unique situation of each of the churches in their area, when considering what special (financial, pastoral and other) support they need.

In a series of meetings beginning in early 1996, a group of people ministering to smaller churches in the Greater London area discussed their feelings of vulnerability with respect to paid staff, financial subsidy, and other Synod and District support. The group also discussed their perception that agendas for the church as a whole are set by people coming from larger and more prosperous churches who know little about the problems faced by inner-city and isolated country churches. We believe it is necessary for the United Reformed Church to address this situation, and request General Assembly to set up a mechanism to review our staffing and support structures.

• Many inner-city and small country churches have been supported in the past by larger prosperous churches which regarded their smaller sister churches as outpost ‘missions’. This sort of support has now effectively ceased.

• Smaller churches often struggle to pay MaM contributions. Necessary reporting and administration, required in the smallest church, often has to be done by the minister (frequently shared between two or more churches) since there is a lack of qualified lay help.

• Many smaller fellowships have an impact on their surroundings which is much greater than their size would suggest; for others the most loving and realistic fate is death. We have no formal way of assessing which is which, and pastoral visitation committees are encouraged to be affirming and positive in their reports.

• When there is no (or a tiny) congregation in a local church, but other valuable work is being done in the name of the Church (e.g. community support groups, drop-in centres, low-key estate mission), a vacancy is disastrous, and momentum is lost, perhaps for ever.

• In appointing a new minister, the traditional ‘call’ is often inappropriate, and Districts are increasingly taking matters of appointment into their own hands. There are no national guidelines for this, and ‘the wheel needs to be re-invented’ each time this happens.

•  

The group believes that we need to develop a mechanism for supporting these smaller churches and assessing their mission and effectiveness, and suggest that this process could begin through a formal decision of General Assembly.

General Assembly resolves to continue to bring pressure to bear upon Parliament to eradicate worldwide exploitation and sexual abuse of children, and to this end, encourages each synod, district council and local church to support the work of ECPAT(UK) (End child Prostitution, Pornography and the Trafficking of children for sexual purposes).

Every year a Provincial Women’s Link meeting is held. The meeting is made up of representatives from each District who discuss women’s work in the Province and wider women’s issues.

In September 1996 Mrs Alice Frimpong spoke about women in Ghana and Mrs Sherina Niles about women in Sri Lanka. Sherina invited Link members to go to ‘her side of the wall’ to see the problems that exist. It was then that they learned about the sexual exploitation that takes place among women and children in order to survive. Sherina’s forthrightness, and obvious indignation and concern for these women and children, left much to think about.

Members went back to Districts and local churches, petitions were signed and letters written to Revd Peter Brain for information about United Reformed Church involvement in tackling the problem. In response the meeting was told that the United Reformed Church is a subscribing affiliate of ECPAT(UK) (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking of children for sexual purposes) and has also been writing letters to Government and lobbying regarding the Sex Offenders Bill.

At March Synod 1997, Mrs Sherina Niles gave a very challenging account of her concerns regarding child prostitution. Throughout the following year individual churches learned more about the subject and contributed money to ACHE (Action on Child Exploitation).

In September 1997 the Women’s Link meeting discussion continued regarding the way forward. It was felt that a resolution concerning the important issue of exploitation and sexual abuse of children should be presented at the March Synod 1998 and subsequently at the July 1998 General Assembly. The Resolution was passed unanimously by the Synod.

General Assembly agrees the principle of this Declaration of Hope, Faith and Love for all people and calls on the church to support it by prayer and appropriate action:

To that end we further commit ourselves to work with other individuals and groups of all faiths and none, who are ready to share our commitment to the encouragement of:

It is intended that this Declaration of Intent should be signed (and celebrated) by people of all faiths and none, at local, national and international levels.

Synod is conscious of the fact that after 2,000 years there has been no end to man’s inhumanity to man in which millions of men, women and children have suffered and died cruel deaths through war, oppression and poverty of many kinds.

Synod believes that the vast majority of people long for a better world of peace, justice, compassion and freedom as outlined in the United Nations Charter.

Synod hopes that this may be a significant time to make a new commitment to the fulfilment of the highest dreams and aspirations of ordinary people and visionaries of all ages and times, and offers this Declaration for consideration as a way of focusing the thoughts of everyone on seeking positive ways of fulfilling those dreams.

Resolutions were received from the Southern, South Western and Wessex Synods inviting General Assembly in 1998 to return to resolution 19 which was agreed in 1997. These resolutions were not accepted because they were out of order under Standing Order 3e(iv) which states:

It shall not be in order to move a motion or amendment which...... amends or reverses a decision reached by the Assembly at its preceding two annual meetings unless the Moderator, Clerk and General Secretary together decide that changed circumstances or new evidence justify an earlier reconsideration of the matter.

The Moderator, the Revd David Jenkins, the Clerk and the General Secretary met and discussed whether or not there were changed circumstances or new evidence.

The main argument making the case for changed circumstances or new evidence was that the pain caused to members, elders and ministers and the divisions brought to local churches were not foreseen when the resolution was passed.

The debate on resolution 19 in the Assembly in 1997 revealed quite clearly the diversity of views held within the church. Moreover the votes cast were 324 (63%) in favour and 189 (37%) against; and immediately 69 members dissented from the decision. In the light of the number of votes cast against the resolution and the unprecedented number of members recording their dissent, the three officers do not accept that the resolutions calling for resolution 19 to be rescinded can be described as reflecting changed circumstances or new evidence.

Therefore the Moderator, Clerk and General Secretary being obliged to interpret the mind of the Assembly as expressed in Standing Orders, decided that there was no justification for an earlier reconsideration of the matter.

Copyright © 1998, United Reformed Church

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