Nicola Furley-Smith inducted as Moderator of Southern Synod

On Saturday 5 March the Revd Nicola Furley-Smith was formally inducted as moderator of the Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church. 

As synod moderator, Mrs Furley-Smith will lead Southern Synod, giving strategic direction and offering care and support to the synod’s ministers and churches.

Talking of her appointment, Nicola says: “I’m really looking forward to taking on the mantle of synod moderator, working with old friends and making new ones, as I help Southern Synod move into the next phase of its life. I see myself, first and foremost, as a people person, and am most interested in helping individuals and local congregations throughout the synod realise their potential as God’s faithful people.”

Nicola adds: “I’m particularly looking forward to becoming involved in the ecumenical work of the synod; it’s an area that I have not been heavily involved in before and one I am confident I shall enjoy.”

Mrs Val Morrison, moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, presided at the induction service, which was attended by several ecumenical representatives including The Rt Revd James Longstaff, Bishop of Rochester; the Revd John Hellyer, district chair of the South East District of the Methodist Church, the Revd Jenny Impey, joint chair of the London district of the Methodist Church, The Rt Revd Paul Hendricks, Roman Catholic Titular Bishop of Ross & Cromarty, and Mr Ulrich Buttiköfer and Mrs Elke Zils, both of The Church of the Rhineland-Palatinate, partner church of the URC’s Southern Synod.

The Revd Derrick Sena Dzandu-Hedidor, synod clerk, concluded: “Nicola has just the right combination of skills and experience for her new role as synod moderator and we’re all looking forward to working with her in the coming months and years.”