The 2026 URC Prayer Handbook is the first from new editors Susan Durber and Jonnie Hill. It comes in A5 and A4 Lectern editions. £6.99-£14.99 +p&p https://urcshop.co.uk/touching-god-the-2026-urc-prayer-handbook/

"In her devotion to God she is centred on him, hears his word and speaks it to others: she is the only prophetess named in the New Testament.” Ruth Tompsett reflects on Anna, the prophet in the Temple, in today’s Daily Devotion. https://ow.ly/HQ8v50XLqFJ Image: RDNE Stock project/Pexels

The URC is seeking... Eight people to serve on a Panel on behalf of the General Assembly, to participate, for five years, in the appointment of Synod Moderators and other General Assembly roles reserved for Ministers of the Word and Sacraments. For full details, see https://urc.org.uk/jobs/

"I did not grow up poor, unlike some of our neighbours. Jesus did come from a poor family, even though his father, Joseph worked with wood.” Trevor Jamison explores the presentation of Christ in the Temple. https://ow.ly/lkQf50XLqBx Image: Pickawood/Unsplash

Tune into Prayers of Hope with Ian Britton on Premier Christian Radio at 1pm and 7pm which include Sharon Lloyd, Programme Officer (Children's, Youth and Intergenerational Work) and Lindsey Brown, Head of Ecumenical Relations and Evangelism. https://www.premier.plus/prayers-of-hope-with-ian-britton

Join us today as the Revd Walt Johnson delivers our Sunday service. https://ow.ly/Uqbz50XxqpK Image: Milada Vigerova | Unsplash #URC #DailyDevotions #Christmas

"The time between Christmas and New Year is a bit of a wilderness in some ways but it does contain the Feast of the Innocents on December 28." Carole Elphick marks Holy Innocents’ Day. https://ow.ly/qxjW50XLqxs Juan Domenech/Unsplash

"I never feel it is Christmas until I hear the wonderful opening words from John’s Gospel. Nowhere is the mystery of faith so beautifully captured than in the statement that “the Word became flesh and lived among us”.” Mark Hayes ponders St John’s Prologue. https://ow.ly/X0zB50XLqtH mugi jo/Unsplash

"I am a romantic when it comes to Christmas. Romantic in the sense that both the theology of it, and the Christian traditions around it, are portals into love and joy.” Gwen Collins continues our exploration of Christmas. https://ow.ly/ksvm50XLqrO Image: Andres Siimon/Unsplash

Christmas Day is here, and Sam Richards has her thank you letters all planned out. See https://ow.ly/bk0Q50XLiu3

Tune into Prayers of Hope with Ian Britton on Premier Christian Radio at 1pm and 7pm which include Karen Campbell, Head of Global & Intercultural Church. https://www.premier.plus/prayers-of-hope-with-ian-britton

Join us this Christmas morning as the Revd Packiaraj Asirvatham delivers our service. https://ow.ly/FXP150Xxqol Image: Sincerely Media | Unsplash #URC #DailyDevotions #ChristmasDay

"God and humanity met that day. A sign of the fulfilment of God’s promises to his people.” Fleur Houston explores Luke’s birth narrative. https://ow.ly/x1Hg50XLqm4 Image: Adrian Monserrat/Pexels

Join us today for our Midnight Communion service, with the Revd Andy Braunston. https://ow.ly/khhI50XxqmZ Image: Gareth Harper | Unsplash #URC #DailyDevotions #ChristmasEve

"What I find fascinating in this passage though is what’s not there." Branwen Rees explores the actual Christmas story and the folklore which surrounds it in today’s Daily Devotion. https://ow.ly/cPAO50XLqfK Image: Burkay Canatar/Pexels

"Joseph is rather a shadowy figure in the Bible. He never speaks, but receives messages in dreams and obeys each one. We don’t know what he thinks or says.” Sue Cossey explores St Joseph’s part in the narratives of Jesus’ birth. https://ow.ly/wr2o50XLq6Z Image: Ono Kosuki/Pexels

Beginning on 16 February 2026, the URC's Faith in Action Team is hosting a series of webinars to help congregations become places where people at the margins are loved, nurtured and empowered. To learn all about the webinars and how to sign up, see https://ow.ly/ipAF50XL24L.

This Advent, Castle Hill URC in Northampton opened its doors for a December light walk extravaganza, accompanied by music, from Christmas carols to Christmas pop. The free event was designed to say that church is a place that welcomes all people, especially at Christmas. https://bit.ly/CHlight

"Have you ever felt God call you to do something and you have felt that you just don’t feel as though you are good enough or equipped enough for the task?" https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotions-monday-22-december-2025 Image: Javier Allegue Barros/Unsplash

Join us today as the Revd Mark Rodgers delivers our Sunday service. https://ow.ly/Gmsk50Xxqm6 Image: Grayson Joraleman | Unsplash #URC #DailyDevotions #Advent

As we light the final candle before Christmas Day this morning, Psalm 112 offers a radiant vision of the one who fears the Lord and delights in God’s commandments.” Michael Hopkins in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-sunday-21st-december-2025 Image: Pexels

"As I read, images of folk arrested for protesting genocide came to mind. I take the liberty of assuming that someone was saying ‘genocide is not ok and I had to do something’.” Martin Knight in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-saturday-20th-december-2025

The URC is seeking a Moderator, Southern Synod. Contract: Full time, seven-year termed appointment Salary: URC Minister’s stipend Closing date for applications: 18 January 2026 For full details, see https://urc.org.uk/jobs/moderator-southern-synod/

"The primary challenge of this scripture to all who pay heed, is the assertion that Jesus, as God’s beloved Son, is in perfect harmony with God’s will.” John Young in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-friday-19th-december-2025

A round-up of festive fun news from across the United Reformed Church in the run-up to Christmas. To catch up on the news, see https://urc.org.uk/around-the-urc-at-christmas/.

Advent and Christmas worship resources are freely available for use on the URC website. Each issue of Worship Notes includes: *A call to worship *Prayers and activities *Readings and notes that could be built into a sermon *hymn suggestions and much more. See bit.ly/URCworshipnotes

"Miracles mustn’t be limited by magical thinking, to do so robs them of their powerful, subversive, edge.” Simon Cross explores some of Jesus’ harsher words about miracles in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-18-december-2025

Wanted - a URC youth member to join the URC Nominations Committee. The committee oversees how volunteers are recruited for General Assembly committees. As a youth member, you can ensure young voices shape the future of the United Reformed Church. Advert and job description: https://urc.org.uk/jobs/

The URC is seeking.... immediate nominations and applications for a finance member of Resources Committee: a committee which supports key operational services and serves the wider denomination. Apply by 1 February 2026. For more information, see https://urc.org.uk/jobs/

The evidence Jesus gives, of good news made real, is not just a message for John, but for all: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk ... and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Tim Searle in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-17-december-2025

The last date for URC Bookshop orders is 12pm on 19 December. The bookshop will reopen on 5 January. To get your stocking fillers, see https://urcshop.co.uk/

St George's in Hartlepool, Northern Synod, is helped an award-winning youth choir that was founded in 1969 to reunite one last time for a charity Christmas concert, reports the BBC. To catch up on the news, see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg991g99p7o

"My neighbours are Muslims and speak very little English. Occasionally the doorbell will ring and Fatima will pass me a plate of food cooked on their barbecue. She wants nothing in return.” Lorraine Webb in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-16-december-2025

DARE’s half-term picnic brought families, children and local Police Community Officers together — breaking down barriers and building confidence in a safe, joyful space. To catch up on the news, see https://ow.ly/TP9650XHoeq

"These words sound harsh to our ears, because we don’t imagine Jesus being someone who turns “man against his father….”" Kirsty-Ann Mabbott in today’s Daily Devotion. https://mailchi.mp/urc/urc-daily-devotion-monday-15-december-2025

Join us today as the Revd Catherine McFie delivers our Sunday service. https://ow.ly/23ow50XBlfw Image: Karola G | Pexels #URC #DailyDevotions #Advent

"...Gaudete Sunday signals that the coming of Christ is near, and we are invited to rejoice in hopeful anticipation.” Liane Todd rejoices in today’s #DailyDevotion. https://ow.ly/qHYl50XH1GA#DailyDevotion #URC Image: Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

"Those fond of sparrows may object to Jesus valuing them so much less than human beings... Jesus appears to be teaching an important truth by contrasting the lesser with the greater.” Julian Templeton in today’s #DailyDevotion https://ow.ly/5Rff50XH1Be#DailyDevotion #URC Image: Tobias Roth | Unsplash

The URC is seeking a... Records Manager & Archivist Salary: £42,000 – £43,500 per annum Location: Hybrid This is a permanent full time role. Closing date: 9am on 5 January 2026 To apply, see https://urc.org.uk/jobs/

Advent and Christmas worship resources are freely available for use on the URC website. Each issue of Worship Notes includes: *A call to worship *Prayers and activities *Readings and notes that could be built into a sermon *hymn suggestions and much more. See bit.ly/URCworshipnotes

"Matthew 10 reads like an induction programme for new recruits. We get a brief, the detailed instructions, the warnings and guidance. These verses are part of the warnings.” Tony Jeans contemplates Jesus’ teachings about students and teachers. https://ow.ly/VngX50XBXl9 Image: Yan Krukau | Pexels

The next FaithTalk webinar, Preparing for Easter, is on January 28, 7-8pm. Join us for conversation about the transforming power of Easter, and ready to share ideas and resources you've used. Book a (free) place at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/faith-talk-webinars-4796784

"In these verses I feel the weight of Jesus’s honesty. Following him will be costly. It’s not what we want to hear. Deep down we long for peace, for our faith to be celebrated by those we love.” Mandy Bayton explores hard sayings. https://ow.ly/f2mf50XBWW2 #URC Image: Rocketmann Team | Pexels

How do you welcome children and young people through your church doors? How can you prepare them for a welcoming worship experience? Welcome Bags may be just the thing you need. Children's, Youth and Intergenerational Programme Officer Sharon Lloyd explains why, and how. https://bit.ly/CandYBAG #URC

"These are comforting words for anyone tasked with standing up in church to preach or reflect on the day’s scripture. But I do worry.” John Wilcox worries about Jesus’ assurance that he will give us the words we need. https://ow.ly/pEmM50XBWLX #URC Image: Chris Ensminger | Pexels

Jim Williams, a North Western minister, has finally fulfilled his lifelong ambition to appear on the classic quiz show Bullseye 🎯 — and he did it alongside his son, Henry. To learn about Jim's experience and what the unexpected "pulpit" of Bullseye can teach us... see https://ow.ly/mgYJ50XFBrb

Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 (18–25 January) are now available to order and download from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. This year’s materials follow the theme “One Body, One Spirit.” See, https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2026/

"What happens when we need to appoint yet another paid member of staff? When should we guarantee people a secure salary and a pension in order to carry out their discipleship?” John Ellis ponders Jesus’ words on travelling without money in today’s Daily Devotion. https://ow.ly/uGoR50XBWm1 #URC

Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many single people. Single Friendly Church has ideas for making your Christmas services single friendly, including planning a Blue Christmas service. https://ow.ly/3W1l50XBrpH #URC

"Joy for All", a rapid response resource designed to help local churches navigate the complexities of far Right politics co-opting Christian language and symbols – including Christmas – for a nationalist agenda, has been highlighted in The Guardian. To read news, see https://ow.ly/Kqm850XFA2e?