Celebrating Women In Ministries of the United Reformed Church

Explorations into Prayer 2007 Daughters of Dissent Links with Women of UCCSA

for link to 2007 report

Women in Ministries is a gathering of women involved in various ministries mostly within the United Reformed Church. Some of them are ordained ministers, some are not. Women make up approximately one-third of the paid  ministers within the URC and about half of the unpaid ministers. In January 2007, thirty of us met together for a time of study, worship and celebration. Christine Smith, a Roman Catholic laywoman involved in spiritual direction at St Anthony's priory, Durham and Rev'd Dr Meg Gilley Anglican parish priest from Teeside, led our Explorations into Prayer sessions. Revd Dr Jan Berry from Northern College led our workshop in writing prayers. We have developing links with the United Congregational Church in Southern Africa, which spreads across five countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. In October 2005 a group of eight women from the UK took part in an exchange with the four English speaking Synods and a conference in Botswana. In 2006 two women were able to attend the Sidieba gathering in Johannesburg. One minister from UCCSA was able to join us in January 2007. The stories of women within the Dissenting Churches from 1840 to the present are told in the book Daughters of Dissent.. Our Love and Good Wishes to the new Moderator of Northern Synod

Further information Women in Ministries 2008 will be meeting January 14th- 17th . Books: ;Daughters of Dissent, ISBN 0-85346-225-9              I Speak to the Silent    ISBN 1-86914-038-9              Time for Action             ISBN 085169-281-8 Links to The United Reformed Church   The Windermere Centre The United Congregational Church in Southern Africa

We are planning to produce a book of informal worship resources which will be taken to UCCSA in 2009 as our visiting group's gift to Sidieba sisters. Contributions by Jan 08, editing group will start in 2008.