This is an almost exact copy of an article sent to the Baptist Times in February 2023, which was never published. I have placed it here for the benefit of those who wanted to know what I got up to.
After a series of emails back in 2022, which would take slightly too long to explain here, I found myself wheeling a suitcase through St Pancras station on the 27th January, heading up to Derby and then to Tamworth - my railway knowledge held me in good stead, for what was to be an interesting weekend (not just in terms of the trains!), hanging out with ecumenical friends from the URC, as well as the "Methodist spy", aka the Methodist Youth President (James Carver).
The event was held at Whitemoor Lakes, an activity centre in Staffordshire - somewhere which takes a little time to get your head around, but makes sense once you understand it!
I had arrived at Tamworth station well before the complimentary coach was to leave, so that gave me a little time to get to know the first person, Brandon Stein (from the Eastern Synod - yes, the URC uses Synods, much like our "Associations"), who had an easy journey down from York! Other attendees taking the coach had come from places like Birmingham and Nottingham, even all the way from Ipswich - but that's nothing compared to two participants who had travelled from Germany!
That evening on the Friday, we had dinner (friends will expect me to remember every meal, but unfortunately that's the one thing I can't recall!), where myself and some of the other ecumenical guests were given presents, which consisted of a URC-branded notebook and pen (very helpful for the notes I knew I would take over the weekend!), some URC socks (fair enough) and some cutlery (huh?)!
On the Friday, as well as a short talk, we were also introduced to how the "Business" section would work. Effectively, there were three stages:
- The information stage: a proposed motion would be presented and prayer for, and any questions about it could be asked;
- The discussion stage: viewpoints on the motion could be expressed about the motion, and any amendments to it could also be presented;
- The decision stage: this is quite complicated, but in summary: 1) a unanimous consensus using orange cards would mean the motion is passed; 2) a minority against it could use blue cards to express their opposition and why, leading to prayer/amendments, another vote and then anything of a majority would mean it be passed; or 3) more blue cards than orange (i.e., a majority against it) would mean it automatically fails.
Later that evening, we were also introduced to our small groups (in which we met four times over the course of the weekend), and encouraged to write down any motion ideas we had. We did come up with one relatively comprehensive idea, which went into writing, but I’m unsure we were confident or committed enough as a group to see it through!
We also had a late night programme, which included watching a film, a session on writing your own motion or running for a role on the Youth Executive (a group of youth & young adults who help coordinate things like this), some sports, some quiet time in the prayer room, or stick around in the main lounge and play some games (like pool and stuff). After this there was a chance to gather round the campfire and toast some marshmallows.
The next morning I can proudly say I was the first person up on the whole site (too early for publication here…!). I joined with some others for the morning prayers at 8am, before breakfast at 8:15. We had a time of worship at 9, and a keynote talk from Stephen Ansa-Addo (minister at Hungerford URC) at 9:30, before gathering back in our small groups at 10:15 again. In this small group session, we were tasked with writing something we admire about another person in the group – very difficult having only met 15 hours ago!
After this, we had our first business session, where one extremely boring, unclear and bureaucratic motion was passed! I eventually learnt that not only is this normal, but James (Methodist youth president) told me that Methodists are even more bureaucratic! I’m thankful that my church, at least, is one to move away from this and whatever “standing orders” are!
After lunch at 1pm, we had our first workshop sessions. I went to one called “Love is peace”, led by Paul Robinson, minister at United Church Rhyl, in Wales. In this session we looked at some difficult Bible passages where there wasn’t peace: John the Baptist’s martyrdom, the Babylonian Exile, etc, which was an encouraging time to delve into stuff which is never talked about! (How about a sermon series next summer, eh?!)
After this, we had our second business session where a motion regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine was put forward to actually publicly call it apartheid, which – on the Sunday – was voted to be moved to the 2024 assembly, as it was taking up quite a lot of time and didn’t have enough context for people who aren’t more aware of the situation. A second motion was also passed in this time to encourage churches to build quiet spaces in churches for those who feel overwhelmed. One participant remarked that this was a great step forward for those on the autistic spectrum, so (even though it’s not a rule to have one) URC churches are now encouraged to consider this as well.
In the third business session, one proposal regarding signposting substance misuse services was left to be rewritten because of the wording and because of practical difficulties doing so. A second motion was also passed encouraging churches to open or support other warm hubs (which, in my opinion, most churches have already been doing!). Some concerns regarding the costs of this were also raised, but the proposer suggested supporting others as well, not just opening a new one.
In the elections later that day, Heather Moore from the Southern Synod was voted in as next year’s moderator-elect. In the short break after that, we were looking forward to the “entertainment”, which this year was Guvna B (who doesn’t really need much of an introduction!). I also got a fist-bump off him when he came in, so I was pretty pleased with that! I heard good things about him, including the fact he stayed for communion after his ‘set’ (I was having a deep theological conversation with one participant at that point, so continued talking with them about other religions, communion and baptism etc).
By the Sunday, I had gotten to know my roommates better, one of whom lived in Bridgend, South Wales, and the other in the Wirral (the first was also a trainspotter, which gave us something to talk about!). In the first business session this day, there was a proposal for a task group to be set up for supporting anyone who had been a victim of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation (I didn’t record whether this was passed or not). Later that afternoon, after another workshop session (where a few of us made one of those mug cakes… mmmmmmm…) we all joined together for an induction section, where Philipa Osei was officially made URC youth moderator (or something like that). In this all of the participants were asked to read out a statement of faith, which was really quite long! There were also some promises made and sometimes-emotional speeches. From a Baptist perspective there was very little laying-on-of-hands (but then again, I’m sure someone will tell me whether that is more of a Baptist thing!). Then came the journey home, back via Derby (and unusually Corby on the way home), whilst most others were left to replacement buses (hehe!)
So, I’ve written all of this about three days, but what did I learn? How can this be replicated in the BUGB?
The event was held at Whitemoor Lakes, an activity centre in Staffordshire - somewhere which takes a little time to get your head around, but makes sense once you understand it!
I had arrived at Tamworth station well before the complimentary coach was to leave, so that gave me a little time to get to know the first person, Brandon Stein (from the Eastern Synod - yes, the URC uses Synods, much like our "Associations"), who had an easy journey down from York! Other attendees taking the coach had come from places like Birmingham and Nottingham, even all the way from Ipswich - but that's nothing compared to two participants who had travelled from Germany!
That evening on the Friday, we had dinner (friends will expect me to remember every meal, but unfortunately that's the one thing I can't recall!), where myself and some of the other ecumenical guests were given presents, which consisted of a URC-branded notebook and pen (very helpful for the notes I knew I would take over the weekend!), some URC socks (fair enough) and some cutlery (huh?)!
On the Friday, as well as a short talk, we were also introduced to how the "Business" section would work. Effectively, there were three stages:
- The information stage: a proposed motion would be presented and prayer for, and any questions about it could be asked;
- The discussion stage: viewpoints on the motion could be expressed about the motion, and any amendments to it could also be presented;
- The decision stage: this is quite complicated, but in summary: 1) a unanimous consensus using orange cards would mean the motion is passed; 2) a minority against it could use blue cards to express their opposition and why, leading to prayer/amendments, another vote and then anything of a majority would mean it be passed; or 3) more blue cards than orange (i.e., a majority against it) would mean it automatically fails.
Later that evening, we were also introduced to our small groups (in which we met four times over the course of the weekend), and encouraged to write down any motion ideas we had. We did come up with one relatively comprehensive idea, which went into writing, but I’m unsure we were confident or committed enough as a group to see it through!
We also had a late night programme, which included watching a film, a session on writing your own motion or running for a role on the Youth Executive (a group of youth & young adults who help coordinate things like this), some sports, some quiet time in the prayer room, or stick around in the main lounge and play some games (like pool and stuff). After this there was a chance to gather round the campfire and toast some marshmallows.
The next morning I can proudly say I was the first person up on the whole site (too early for publication here…!). I joined with some others for the morning prayers at 8am, before breakfast at 8:15. We had a time of worship at 9, and a keynote talk from Stephen Ansa-Addo (minister at Hungerford URC) at 9:30, before gathering back in our small groups at 10:15 again. In this small group session, we were tasked with writing something we admire about another person in the group – very difficult having only met 15 hours ago!
After this, we had our first business session, where one extremely boring, unclear and bureaucratic motion was passed! I eventually learnt that not only is this normal, but James (Methodist youth president) told me that Methodists are even more bureaucratic! I’m thankful that my church, at least, is one to move away from this and whatever “standing orders” are!
After lunch at 1pm, we had our first workshop sessions. I went to one called “Love is peace”, led by Paul Robinson, minister at United Church Rhyl, in Wales. In this session we looked at some difficult Bible passages where there wasn’t peace: John the Baptist’s martyrdom, the Babylonian Exile, etc, which was an encouraging time to delve into stuff which is never talked about! (How about a sermon series next summer, eh?!)
After this, we had our second business session where a motion regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine was put forward to actually publicly call it apartheid, which – on the Sunday – was voted to be moved to the 2024 assembly, as it was taking up quite a lot of time and didn’t have enough context for people who aren’t more aware of the situation. A second motion was also passed in this time to encourage churches to build quiet spaces in churches for those who feel overwhelmed. One participant remarked that this was a great step forward for those on the autistic spectrum, so (even though it’s not a rule to have one) URC churches are now encouraged to consider this as well.
In the third business session, one proposal regarding signposting substance misuse services was left to be rewritten because of the wording and because of practical difficulties doing so. A second motion was also passed encouraging churches to open or support other warm hubs (which, in my opinion, most churches have already been doing!). Some concerns regarding the costs of this were also raised, but the proposer suggested supporting others as well, not just opening a new one.
In the elections later that day, Heather Moore from the Southern Synod was voted in as next year’s moderator-elect. In the short break after that, we were looking forward to the “entertainment”, which this year was Guvna B (who doesn’t really need much of an introduction!). I also got a fist-bump off him when he came in, so I was pretty pleased with that! I heard good things about him, including the fact he stayed for communion after his ‘set’ (I was having a deep theological conversation with one participant at that point, so continued talking with them about other religions, communion and baptism etc).
By the Sunday, I had gotten to know my roommates better, one of whom lived in Bridgend, South Wales, and the other in the Wirral (the first was also a trainspotter, which gave us something to talk about!). In the first business session this day, there was a proposal for a task group to be set up for supporting anyone who had been a victim of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation (I didn’t record whether this was passed or not). Later that afternoon, after another workshop session (where a few of us made one of those mug cakes… mmmmmmm…) we all joined together for an induction section, where Philipa Osei was officially made URC youth moderator (or something like that). In this all of the participants were asked to read out a statement of faith, which was really quite long! There were also some promises made and sometimes-emotional speeches. From a Baptist perspective there was very little laying-on-of-hands (but then again, I’m sure someone will tell me whether that is more of a Baptist thing!). Then came the journey home, back via Derby (and unusually Corby on the way home), whilst most others were left to replacement buses (hehe!)
So, I’ve written all of this about three days, but what did I learn? How can this be replicated in the BUGB?
- Firstly, there was a lot of bureaucracy, as I said a few times. In my opinion, it shouldn’t take that long to pass something which someone really believes in. The stages I outlined could, I felt, have been easily compressed to save time. I'm acutely aware that many churches are attempting to get rid of such bureaucracy as well, which is good to see!
- Secondly, the event had its upsides and its downsides. It was extremely encouraging to see young people my age in a truly heartfelt relationship with God – but at the same time the event was too short for me to get to know more about them - getting to know other people, my age in particular, ! I would have loved to have had more time to get to know more about what God has done – and is doing – in their lives as well. Perhaps something like the May BH weekend...?
- And my final reflection: something like this could quite easily work for the BUGB (with some thought...!). I would love for an event like this, where the BU Council (or whoever) would take a few days, maybe a week, to listen to young people in the BUGB to see what God is saying. Ignoring the future generations of the church means there may not be a church in future generations...
If anyone who sees this attended the assembly this year, or would like to hear some of my thoughts in a slightly more articulate way, please do get in contact me, it would be great to connect with you!