Mersey Synod of the United Reformed Church

1 Fingall Road, Wavertree, Liverpol L15 9JE  Tel: 0151 722 1883
Text Box: Latest News ———————— FROM PASTORAL COMMITTEE Building work in your church Churches were circulated with a booklet in the spring which outlined how, under the new Synod system, concurrence to building work would be handled. In a number of cases, and for a variety of reasons, it hasn't worked as well as it should. The Pastoral Committee has therefore decided that in future there will be just one person for churches to contact on matters relating to building work, Andrew Martlew, our Property Officer, at Synod Office. Andrew will then alert the other people who need to be involved. FROM YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S WORK COMMITTEE Children’s Advocate. The Youth and Children’s Work Committee are looking for a volunteer to undertake the role of Synod Children’s Advocate as part of a project focusing on children during 2009. For more information please contact Malcolm Evans at Synod Office. FURY Assembly. Any young people who would like to go to FURY Assembly January 23rd – 25th 2009 should contact Malcolm Evans for further information. The cost of the weekend will be £90.00 but there will be individual grants to help with the cost. What is a CYDO? Following a decision made at General Assembly all Synod YCWTDO’s will now be called Children and Youth Development Officers.

Synod Committees

The business of Synod is conducted at two Synod Meetings a year, in Spring and Autumn when representatives from all the churches gather together to decide policy and plan for the future. These policies and strategies, agreed by Synod, are taken forward by a number of committees and task groups. The structure of these is kept fluid and can therefore change to meet new requirements.

MISSION EXECUTIVE

This committee meets, usually three times a year, and is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the overall strategy as set by Synod. The committee also acts on behalf of Synod between meetings. It is also charged with taking time to reflect and make suggestions about developments within the Synod. To this end one of the meetings each year is residential to allow time for deeper consideration on a variety of topics. 

Membership comprises
Moderator
Synod Clerk
Treasurer
District Secretaries
Committee Convenors
Appointed Members (co-opted for a particular skill or expertise)

In attendance
Training Officer
Mission Development Officer 
Youth and Children’s Work Training and Development Officer  Administrative Officer
Ecumenical Officer
Communications Officer

CARE OF CHURCHES

Convenor: Revd. Ken Summers

The Care of Churches Committee provides advice and support in the following areas :- Spirituality, Healing, Evangelism and Mission, Pilgrimages and using buildings as a means of helping people to develop their own spirituality.

“Spirituality and Healing” and an “Evangelism and Mission” task groups have been set up.

The committee also responds to the growing interest in Pilgrimage. In the past we have been to Iona and the Lake District - “In the Steps of the Saints” (the history and spirituality of Quakers and others in the North West of England and Southern Scotland)

Tourism and the ministry of welcome is a growing aspect within today’s society.

Mission outside the church takes place in a variety of ways. Two of our churches, in Liverpool and Southport, are engaged in chaplaincy in the retail industry. One other opens itself to tourists and many use their premises for the wider community. Others have links with schools and other groups.

CARE OF PERSONS

This committee is structured into 5 Task Groups supporting and encouraging the valuable work done by various lay ministries. These include :

Elders - helps to provide opportunities for elders to develop team work, to explore effective decision making and leadership styles.

Youth and Children - supports what is happening in the local church and organises Synod events.

Lay Preachers - encourages the calling of men and women to this ministry and overseers their training.

Personnel - checks that right procedures are being followed for lay employment in our churches.

Vocations - deals with all matters relating to the call, assessment and training of those being called to exercise stipendiary or non-stipendiary ministry or to be church related community workers.

CARE FOR THE WORLD

Convenor: Revd. Barbara Exley

This committee’s title covers a very wide remit, the main concern being to relate people’s Christian faith to everyday life. Some of these areas of concern are considered within a Task Group structure. Currently these are :

International Relations 

Ecumenical Relations 

Fair Trade 

Commitment for Life 

Other areas of concern are met on a more informal basis. Throughout the Synod there are Individuals and small groups involved in many different issues relating to world concerns. These are often localised or involve only a few people – as such they are self supporting without a formal link to the committee but able to raise any particular issue with the convenor if they feel the need.

FINANCE & PROPERTY

Convenor: Revd. Bill Wright

This committee gives overall advice to the Synod about how its resources of finance, property and personnel may best be used to fulfil its strategy through mission. It does this through the work of the following Task Groups :

Budgets

Ministry & Mission

Property

Listed Buildings Advisory Group