United Reformed Church
banner
urc.org.uk
United Reformed Church
@urc.org.uk
The official Bluesky account for the United Reformed Church, a Christian church in the United Kingdom.
"Sadly of the 15 or so young Christians that I grew up with, only three of us are still professing Christians. I often think of those people when I read this Parable of the Sower.” Richard Bradley in today’s Daily Devotion.
https://ow.ly/GFt450XHwor
January 10, 2026 at 6:00 AM
How to “let it all go” will be the theme for Greenbelt Festival in August this year. The organisers say that living 'out of control' “can become a counter-cultural act. A hopeful act ... Only when our hands are empty can they receive anything new.” Details at www.greenbelt.org.uk

January 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
‘Love Your Neighbour’ is the theme for Racial Justice Sunday, 8 February 2026. “What does it really means to love our neighbour, especially given the current narratives of hostility, fear, suspicion and hatred of the ‘other’?” Resources available at https://bit.ly/RJS8-2-26
January 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"This may seem a harsh, almost rude response to his family, but let’s look at the context...Jesus’s sense of family extends potentially to everyone globally.” Bernie Collins reflects on some difficult words of Jesus in today’s Daily Devotion.
https://ow.ly/Heou50XLrz5

Selma DA SILVA/Unsplash
January 9, 2026 at 6:00 AM
The URC is seeking a Moderator, Southern Synod.
Contract: Full time, seven-year termed appointment
Salary: URC Minister’s stipend
Closing date for applications: 18 January

For full details, see https://urc.org.uk/jobs/moderator-southern-synod/
January 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Beginning on 16 February 2026, the URC's Faith in Action Team is hosting a series of webinars to help congregations become places where people at the margins are loved, nurtured and empowered. To learn all about the webinars and how to sign up, see https://ow.ly/bfmq50XL24H.
January 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"I recall reading that one of the more mystical sounding aspects of British life was the recitation of the football results on television and radio on a Saturday teatime..." Sarah Moore considers requests to Jesus for a sign.
https://ow.ly/g0Cp50XLrjC

Brett Jordan/Unsplash
January 8, 2026 at 6:00 AM
On a train journey to a church disciplinary meeting, the Revd Mark Richard Robinson carries the weight of illness, memory and the quiet ache of betrayal. A Measure of Breath is a contemplative novel that explores what it means to lead when one’s own wounds remain unhealed.
https://ow.ly/kVKz50XC1Uk
January 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
How will you welcome children and young people through your church doors in 2026? How can you prepare them for a welcoming worship experience?

Children's, Youth and Intergenerational Programme Officer Sharon Lloyd shares the how and why Welcome Bags are great URC idea. https://bit.ly/CandYBAG #URC
January 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"During moments of sensory overload, an autistic person may self-regulate by closing their eyes, rocking (or stimming), or withdrawing... They are not demon-possessed. They are sometimes mislabelled" Angela Rigby reads through of Matthew’s Gospel.
https://ow.ly/mLlA50XLrcJ

Alireza Attari/Unsplash
January 7, 2026 at 6:00 AM
The next FaithTalk webinar, Preparing for Easter, is on January 28, 7-8pm. Join us to chat about the transforming power of Easter, and to share ideas and resources that you have used. Book a (free) place at https://ow.ly/vIaA50XFz7U
January 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"One of the delights of…Christmas...is the attempt to draw together the accounts in... Matthew and Luke... If the story of Jesus was a fiction those promoting it would never have allowed such differences in the record.” Julian Macro marks Epiphany.
https://ow.ly/stPu50XLr85

Jiří Suchý/Unsplash
January 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM
“It became a painful struggle, a cry of why, why, why? with no answer. But this all changed when I stepped into the Holiday Forum 2025.”

An asylum seeker has thanked the URC Holiday Forum for restoring her faith. For more on this story, see https://ow.ly/6uBG50XKrig
January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
"This episode in the Christmas story makes for uncomfortable reading. It is far from unusual for those in power and fearful of losing it to attempt to exercise that power by killing those powerless to retaliate.” Helen Everard explores abuse of power.
https://ow.ly/2Puj50XLr05

Elijah Grimm/Unsplash
January 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM
"Nowadays, you’ll hear people say 'I’ve had an epiphany' as a bit of a joke, when something quite mundane or ordinary suddenly dawns on them. It’s an 'a-ha' moment... At the start of a new year, I wonder what 'a-ha' moments lay ahead," Roo Stewart, reflects on Epiphany. https://ow.ly/VFQq50XL2sI
January 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Join us today as the Revd Andy Braunston delivers our Sunday service.

https://ow.ly/VTvF50XImvL

Image: Inbal Malca | Unsplash

#URC #DailyDevotions #Epiphany
January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM
"I watched Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the image that this psalm brought to mind is one of the battles where there were a myriad of soldiers on the hills overlooking the castle that was being overrun.” Ruth Watson ponders Psalm 114.
https://ow.ly/810R50XLqT9

Georgii Eletskikh/Unsplash
January 4, 2026 at 6:00 AM
"Joseph shows two traits worth thinking about in devotions, especially when starting a new year. He was ready to hear and follow God’s guidance. And he had a strong sense of responsibility to care for his family.” Bernie Collins explores Joseph.
https://ow.ly/PYLE50XLqPZ

Arifur Rahman/Unsplash
January 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM
On a train journey to a church disciplinary meeting, the Revd Mark Richard Robinson carries the weight of illness, memory and the quiet ache of betrayal. A Measure of Breath is a contemplative novel that explores what it means to lead when one’s own wounds remain unhealed.
https://ow.ly/kVKz50XC1Uk
January 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"“At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow” declared Paul to the Philippians. But here, at the beginning of Matthew’s gospel, the wisest ones come and bow their knees.” ‘frin Lewis Smith reflects on the Magi and Herod.
https://ow.ly/wz5Y50XLqO2

Image: Giulio Gabrieli/Unsplash
January 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM
As another year opens before us, many of us naturally turn our thoughts to fresh starts. In this New Year’s Day reflection, the Revd Jenny Mills, Deputy General Secretary (Faith in Action), invites us to pause and consider what new beginnings mean for us. See https://ow.ly/e1Kx50XFKeq
January 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"This letter emphasises teaching, telling, and training. In those early, post-Pauline days there were many challenges in encouraging churches to be consistent in belief and behaviour.” Fiona Thomas considers the letter to Titus.
https://ow.ly/lzPi50XLqJv

Waldemar Brandt/Unsplash
January 1, 2026 at 6:00 AM
The United Reformed Church Faith In Action Team wishes you a very Happy New Year! We pray, may:

“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26
December 31, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"Darkness, and that complete darkness where you can see nothing, allows no light in. It's impenetrable, it hides everything. So walking in this sort of darkness is hard.” Sam Goodman reflects on the people who walked in darkness.
https://ow.ly/2MAH50XLqHl

Image: Eddie Jones/Unsplash
December 31, 2025 at 6:00 AM
The 2026 URC Prayer Handbook is the first from new editors Susan Durber and Jonnie Hill. It comes in A5 and A4 Lectern editions. £6.99-£14.99 +p&p
https://urcshop.co.uk/touching-god-the-2026-urc-prayer-handbook/
December 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM