The URC Zero Intolerance Campaign:
|
Lucy Berry, campaign advocate, looks in more detail at the URC’s campaign of radical welcome that was introduced at all 13 URC synod meetings in March 2011 As you may know, an initiative was announced at your URC Spring Synod meeting which is like no other. Some people believe it’s the most important thing to happen since the formation of the URC in 1972. The Revd Roberta Rominger, general secretary of the URC, certainly believes it to be one of the most significant things in which she’s been involved in the course of her ministry. It’s a chance for all URC congregations to change the way “Church” is seen to behave to all those who walk through their doors; and to develop and transform the life of their individual churches in the process. Every URC congregation in Britain is being invited to think and pray long and carefully about being part of it. What’s it all about? One of the things about Jesus which made Him so extraordinary was his love and open welcome for those whom the Pharisees and Sadducees saw as unclean. Jesus never turned anyone away. And yet today people of all kinds know or suspect that they won’t get a welcome in many churches. So we’ve developed an evangelism campaign of radical welcome, backed by a powerful advertising campaign, which will tell people that there are churches where they will find a proper welcome; URC churches (including LEPs) [ Local Ecumenical Partnerships, where two or more churches of different denominations unite] where anyone will be welcomed, whoever they are. Such a commitment to love will require your own personal discerning prayer, as well as the reflection and deep preparation of your congregation. But we believe that this radically welcoming approach will help the spiritual lives of many, many people who currently feel excluded from the love of God. And, by offering our own love, we believe it will help us too. What happens next? The most important thing is to make sure that you take this opportunity seriously. It is a very big thing. It isn’t a study programme or a reading project. It is about evangelism and congregational development which will support your church’s confidence in offering love to women and men who may well feel that the church has let them down - or is not for people like them. The process is not a complicated one; although the journey may well be profound. Here’s how it works Your congregation holds a Church Meeting and decides whether to explore further; If you do decide to, then contact Denese Chikwendu, the campaign co-ordinator, who will tell you what the next steps are; Together you begin early preparation for training; A “Companion” will accompany your individual congregation as you reflect and determine what it means to be a radically welcoming church; “Mystery worshippers” will visit your church to experience your congregation’s welcome and to give feedback on their findings; When, after prayerful conversation, honest reflection, feedback, and commitment you and your Companion decide you are ready to covenant, your church will be included on the campaign website - and advertised; People who live or work nearest to your church will know that you’ll welcome them when they turn up. Ideally, all this needs to happen by the end of this year so that your church can get the fullest benefit from the advertising campaign which will begin in January 2012 and will underpin all your loving hard work. Why you? You belong to a tradition which says we’re “called to be God's people, transformed by the Gospel, making a difference for Christ’s sake”. The URC is committed to transformation, to inclusivity and to changing things that are wrong or destructive. No wonder that this is being launched by the United Reformed Church. It’s the most recent expression of all that makes us who we are. Still got questions? Contact: Lucy Berry T: 07715 104 361 E: lucy.berry@urc.org.uk To explore the process in more detail, please contact Denese Chikwendu on T: 020 7691 9864 ; E: denese.chikwendu@urc.org.uk |
