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.

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 24/08/2023 Rebecca Wilson 24/08/2023

Castle Community Church celebrates a New Beginning

Castle Community Church, in Northwich, held a Service of Celebration on Sunday 6th August 2023. This was its first service in their principal place of worship since May 2022 because of major roofing repairs.

Rebecca Wilson 17/08/2023 Rebecca Wilson 17/08/2023

Members of Mersey URC : Uniting Church Garden Lane

In this series of stories, Members of Mersey URC, we look at how people have found and joined our churches, in their own words. Enock Bhambal talks about becoming a member of the Uniting Church in Garden Lane.

Rebecca Wilson 03/08/2023 Rebecca Wilson 03/08/2023

Uniting churches and their communities: The Uniting Church in Garden Lane

The Uniting Church in Garden Lane has strong links with the local community and is considered as being at the heart of the local Garden Quarter. But how did the Church build on and modernise historic links with their community and what can we learn from this?

Rebecca Wilson 21/06/2023 Rebecca Wilson 21/06/2023

Messy Church creates a buzz with community, crafts and Christian messages at Toll Bar with Prescot URC

“My kids are told stories from the Bible in ways they understand and it’s interactive and friendly,’” Messy Church mum Louise says as her children twins Edward and Matilda (aged 4) both play at a crafts table. “They’ve grown in confidence too and even help out and read.” This is just one in a series of positive comments from parents about Messy Church at Toll Bar with Prescot United Reformed Church…

Rebecca Wilson 19/06/2023 Rebecca Wilson 19/06/2023

Southport and Formby enjoy a weekend of worship

Members and friends of the Southport and Formby URC team recently enjoyed a church weekend at Thornleigh, Grange over Sands. The themes were "finding joy in our life and faith" and "healthy boundaries - freedom from worry".

Rebecca Wilson 05/06/2023 Rebecca Wilson 05/06/2023

Christ Church Haydock URC use grant to share God’s message through Messy Church

Christ Church Haydock URC has received a Mersey Synod Mission Fund Small grant to share God’s message through their Messy Church group. The church opens this to all families from the local community (primarily non-church families) to come along, spend quality time with each other doing crafts and activities, eating hot food together whilst listening to the Word of God. All of the sessions are based on a gospel theme.

Rebecca Wilson 22/05/2023 Rebecca Wilson 22/05/2023

Upton URC support Tree of Life Mosaic

Minister for Upton URC, Revd Ruth Wilson, offered a message of hope and prayer at the recent unveiling of a Tree of Life mosaic, to reflect upon and remember the lives of those who have died of Covid.

Rebecca Wilson 09/05/2023 Rebecca Wilson 09/05/2023

Mission grant supports sensory space at Thomas Risley Church

A group offering a welcoming space, support and outreach to the local community at Thomas Risley Church (TRC) has increased this mission work through a URC Mersey mission grant to develop a sensory space. This will allow them the equipment to run more activities and provide additional support for community members bringing more mission opportunities to demonstrate God's love and care.

Rebecca Wilson 17/04/2023 Rebecca Wilson 17/04/2023

Allerton Junior Worship Group: URC Group Service in the Mission of God Award

The Allerton Junior Worship Group have achieved their URC Group Service in the Mission of God Award.

Rebecca Wilson 04/04/2023 Rebecca Wilson 04/04/2023

Parkgate and Neston URC open Community Jubilee Garden

A restful outdoor space for the community has been created by Parkgate and Neston URC and opened by Revd Geoff Felton, Moderator, The United Reformed Church, Mersey Synod, with the Mayor of Neston, Pat Kynaston and local Councillor Martin Barker.