Stories from Our Churches – Faith in Action, Communities Together

At the heart of Mersey Synod are our churches, each with its own unique story, united by a shared commitment to faith, compassion and serving others.

Across our communities, faith is lived out in countless ways. From supporting those facing difficult times and creating welcoming spaces for friendship and fellowship, to celebrating life's special moments and bringing people together, our churches continue to share God's love through everyday actions.

Stories from Our Churches offers a glimpse into the life of our congregations, celebrating the people, experiences and acts of kindness that reflect Christian faith in action.

These stories remind us that church is more than a building or a Sunday service. It is about belonging, building relationships, offering hope and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Through faith, friendship and service, our churches continue to create places where everyone can feel welcomed, valued and connected.

10/10/2026

Mersey Synod Meeting

On Saturday 10th October, churches from across Mersey Synod came together for a day of fellowship, connection and shared faith.

It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships across our churches, welcome new faces and meet members of our growing Synod team. As we continue to work more closely together, gatherings like these remind us of the importance of community, unity and supporting one another in our shared Christian journey.

The day also saw the announcement of the winners of our Christmas Card Competition! We look forward to celebrating their creativity and sharing the winning designs in a separate announcement soon.

11/10/2026

Port Sunlight Harvest Festival

Christ Church, Port Sunlight United Reformed Church came together to celebrate the harvest season with a special Harvest Supper, bringing members of the congregation and wider church community together in a spirit of fellowship and thanksgiving. The occasion provided a wonderful opportunity to share food, enjoy one another's company and reflect on the importance of gratitude, generosity and supporting those around us. Events like these are a lovely reminder of how our churches continue to bring people together, strengthen friendships and share God's love through hospitality and community spirit.

Macclesfield and Bollington World Harvest Festival

Macclesfield and Bollington United Reformed Church welcomed local residents, refugees and community representatives to its World Harvest Festival on Saturday 10th October.

Despite the stormy weather, the event celebrated culture, friendship and community, with refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe sharing their heritage through creative workshops, music, dance and traditional food. Activities included Ukrainian block painting, Tai Chi, a lively concert and a community feast, with Brazilian Forró dancing bringing the celebrations to a close.

Supported by Mersey Synod, the festival was a wonderful celebration of diversity, inclusion and togetherness, strengthening friendships and connections across the local community.

05/09/2026

Port Sunlights Teddy Bears Picnic

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic was a wonderful opportunity for children, families and the wider community to come together for a relaxed and enjoyable day of fun, friendship and fellowship.

Families were invited to bring along their favourite teddy bears and enjoy time together, with activities designed to help children and adults connect with one another in a friendly and welcoming environment. Events such as the Teddy Bears’ Picnic are an important part of the Church’s presence within its local community, creating accessible opportunities for families to engage with the church and build relationships with others.

20/09/2026

Port Sunlight Founders Day

Christ Church recently celebrated Founder’s Day, continuing a tradition that began following the death of Lord Leverhulme in 1925. The annual service remembers William Hesketh Lever, who founded Port Sunlight in 1888 with a vision of creating a community where people and families could flourish.

This year’s service reflected on that legacy through the lens of living faith – recognising that faith is not only something we practise in church, but something we demonstrate through community, compassion and service to others.

03/10/2026

Ladies Day at St Davids Eastham Church

On Saturday 3rd October, St David’s Church in Eastham hosted Ladies Day 2026, bringing women together for a day of praise, worship and fellowship.

This year's theme, ‘Seasons of Faith’, offered an opportunity to reflect on our individual faith journeys, celebrate God's presence through life's changing seasons and enjoy time together in a welcoming and supportive environment.

The event also encouraged generosity, with attendees invited to bring donations for the local Foodbank, helping to support those in need within the community.

A wonderful opportunity to come together in faith, friendship and worship, reminding us of the importance of supporting one another throughout every season of life.

05/09/2026

Mersey Synod Does Fire Training

Members of the Mersey Synod Office team recently completed Fire Warden Training, strengthening their knowledge of fire safety, emergency procedures and workplace responsibilities. The training forms part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for staff, volunteers and visitors alike.

03/08/2026

Bethesda Church Groundbreaking Ceremony

After six years in the making, Bethesda Church in Runcorn celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony for its new church building.

As part of this significant moment, a Bible was placed within the foundations of the new building, symbolizing God’s Word being at the very foundation of the church and everything that will take place there.

For the congregation, the ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter after years of planning, prayer and perseverance, and was a powerful reminder of faith, patience and God’s timing.

12/09/2026

Elmswood Church Community Clean Up

Members of Emmanuel Church recently took their faith out into the community with a local litter-picking day, helping to care for and improve the area around them.

It was a simple but meaningful example of Living Faith in action – giving time, working together and showing care for both our neighbours and the environment we share. Small acts of service can make a real difference and are a wonderful way of putting faith into practice.

12/09/2026

Elmswood Church Community Clean Up

Members of Emmanuel Church recently took their faith out into the community with a local litter-picking day, helping to care for and improve the area around them.

It was a simple but meaningful example of Living Faith in action – giving time, working together and showing care for both our neighbours and the environment we share. Small acts of service can make a real difference and are a wonderful way of putting faith into practice.

01/09/2026

Emmanuel Church Community Garden

At Emmanuel Church, the opening of the new community garden celebrated a space created for the whole community. A place to grow vegetables, meet others, share skills and support wellbeing, the garden is a reminder that faith can flourish when we invest in both people and the places we share.

From building a church, to sharing a picnic, to planting a garden, Living Faith can take many forms. Each of these stories reminds us that our faith is not confined to our church buildings – it is lived through our relationships, our hospitality and the ways we serve and care for the communities around us.

Rebecca Wilson Rebecca Wilson

Wings of the Sky: A Sanctuary Seeking Initiative by The Plum Project

The Plum Project, an initiative of the Uniting Church in Garden Lane, played a vital role in Wings of the Sky, a creative arts production rooted in the Sanctuary Seeking movement. The project was designed to involve local people seeking sanctuary through participatory arts and culminated in a moving performance at Chester Cathedral as a prelude to Refugee Week. Funding for Plum’s contribution to Wings of the Sky came from a combination of sources: Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWACC), the Mersey Synod Mission Grant, and individual donations.

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Leading your Church into Growth

At Mersey URC, we think Leading your Church into Growth is perfect for our churches.

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