URC Mid Somerset Group

With hymns, prayers and readings contributed by members of the congregation, Sunday's service, put together and introduced by Robert Crowley, also included the Sacrament, led by Rev Tim Richards. Our numbers remain fairly stable with about 15 households represented, although some people still have a few problems getting the full 'Zoom experience' because of technical issues. Additionally, Steve Beney circulates a few people with the service on DVD, as they don't have access to a computer. Others, we hope, take advantage of the back catalogue of virtual services held under the 'SERVICES' tab on this web site. Follow the instructions on that page to view or download the one you want to see.

If you would like to look at the latest issue of Reform magazine, you can view a copy or download it by clicking HERE . You can view individual articles by clicking on the pictures or the summaries on the title page.

Before lockdown Rev Tim had been planning a group service in August. In a recent conversation with our Moderator's secretary he was told she is still willing to go ahead. He comments; 'It would be so nice to be able to gather together and celebrate a service even though we are clearly not out of this situation yet. We are therefore planning to hold a group service on Sunday August 16th at our church in Street. A risk assessment has been carried out on the building and we can accommodate sufficient people. Not all of our folks will feel comfortable returning to a church and some may still be advised to shield. In order to get an idea of how many might wish to attend please advise your Church Secretary before August 3rd.'

Our shared virtual service, Mid-Somerset Group and Wells United Church, was again well attended, both by computer and by phone, with contributions to readings and prayers from various people scattered around the area. It also gave those 'attending' a chance to see the recent refurbishments and alterations at Wells. The service was led by Rev Rowena Francis, with Rev Tim Richards preaching. If you want to hear just Tim's reflections, audio only, on the theme of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, click HERE . For the complete service, go to the SERVICES page of this website and navigate to the folder with 200719 as the date prefix, where you will also find the order of service with the words of the hymns.

Tim used this prayer, based on the 23rd Psalm, at the recent West Street 'virtual' Leadership Team meeting. Taken from the World Council of Churches web site, it encapsulates many of today's issues. Click HERE to view or download the image file.

Jo Morling once again led our Sunday morning virtual service at Curry Rivel, with the topic above and the story of Jacob and Esau as the starting point. You can find the service on the 'Services' page of this web site. Follow the instructions to locate and download or view the service.

Arc, which started life as Taunton Association for the Homeless, and which is supported by our Group, has issued its July newsletter, which you can view by clicking HERE . It has details of recent fundraising ventures, projects, and importantly, how they are managing through the coronavirus crisis. If you are in any doubt about the worthwhile nature of the work they do, and the regard in which their staff are held, read the letter from a 'satisfied client' to one of the support workers on page 2. There is more detail on their website at www.arcinspire.co.uk. and their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Arc.Homeless/.

In September 2019 a group of 22 people representing the URC, one from each Synod, youth representatives and Church House staff, travelled to the Holy Land. The trip was one part of the URC’s commitment, arising from the 2016 General Assembly, to learn more about the situation in Israel and Palestine and particularly to respond to the invitation of indigenous Palestinian Christians to ‘come and see’ what their lives and challenges were in the West Bank and beyond. If you missed the Group meeting at Glastonbury and Revd. Tracey Lewis's account of the trip, you can join one of two webinars coming up. The first, on Tuesday 14th July, 7-8.15pm, will be a panel of some of the people on the trip sharing stories and inviting questions. The second, on Tuesday 21st July, 7-8.15pm, we have the Revd Munther Isaac, a Lutheran Minister and Principle of the Bethlehem Bible College, who will speak via a live link from Bethlehem, about the challenges and witness of the Palestinian Christian C...

Fred Kaan's life and work as a minister and hymnwriter was the subject of our virtual service at Curry Rivel URC yesterday (5th July). With a comprehensive programme of visuals, historical notes, biography and, of course favourite hymns, put together and hosted by Steve Beney, we spent an interesting hour immersing ourselves in the life of Frederik Hermanus Kaan. You can find the order of service and recorded video of the whole proceedings on the 'Services' page of this web site. or click HERE to go direct to the recording.