On Sautrday 11th May, nine of us travelled to Nottingham to take part in the Assembly. In the morning session we listened to reports from all of the Committees about the things which have happened this year, including a trip to Brazil which had been a wonderful opportunity for a group of about nine people.
There were three new publications distributed:
The Grenada Experience reflections from the 2024 trip.
MIssion Trip to Brazil
Go Worship! Go Out! Go Wonder!
All of which can be used in small groups or as a basis for worship or personal reflection.
(We have a mention in Go Worship! a resource to equip churches to connect to God through nature, as we are an Eco Church).
In the afternoon we listened the new President’s Address, Caroline Stott who was with us for Roo’s induction and joined us this month for 1st Wednesday.
The Community Awards were presented to two churches which are active in their communities. We couldn’t remember how long it was since we received one for the Jubilee Foodbank, but we had a bus that year!
Rev Stephen Haward, in his new role as Chair of Accreditation and Pastoral Care Coordination Group (there were a lot of abbreviations), presented the newly accredited ministers to the Assembly. Rev Roo MacRae of Market Harborough (!) was one of those added to the list of Congregational Ministers.
As always there were opportunities to meet up with people from other churches some of whom are old friends and others we only met yesterday! Thanks to the organisers and particularly to all those volunteers who keep the Congregational Federation active in all sorts of areas.