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 MeetingOn 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 FestivalChrist 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 FestivalMacclesfield 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 DayChrist 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 ChurchOn 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 TrainingMembers 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 CeremonyAfter 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 UpMembers 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 UpMembers 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 GardenAt 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.
Talking Faith with Children in the Community: Newtown URC’s Experience Pentecost with Queen’s Park C.E/U.R.C Primary School
Newtown URC recently welcomed Year 4 pupils from Queen’s Park C.E/U.R.C Primary School for its Experience Pentecost event. Church members from Newtown URC and Ormskirk Street, along with Mersey Synod staff, hosted six sessions with interactive activities and storytelling.
The Uniting Church in Garden Lane opens new community coffee shop 'The Sun on The Plum'
The Uniting Church in Garden Lane’s new community coffee shop 'The Sun on The Plum' opened its doors this month.
Warm Welcome Hub Supporting the Community at Elmwood Avenue URC
A Warm Space has helped to unite the community at Elmwood Avenue URC, reducing isolation and bringing people together for conversation and activities.
Connect Weekend and celebration of Revd Louise Franklin's 10th anniversary as Minister at West Kirby URC
West Kirby URC recently enjoyed a 'staycation' at their church building. The Connect Weekend was all about connecting afresh to God, the local community and one another, and included seminars led by Sam Ward, CEO of The Message Trust, meals at the neighbouring school and plenty of social time, rounded off with a celebration of Revd Louise Franklin's 10th anniversary as Minister at West Kirby URC.
Plum Project gets creative with children’s holiday club at Uniting Church in Garden Lane
The Uniting Church in Garden Lane recently ran a creative After School Club during Lent through its Plum Project with twenty children from Bluecoat CE Primary School. They created a song and performance based on the theme of ‘Hope’.
Mission Grant for Malpas Community Church looks at Alternative Forms of Worship
Malpas Community Church used a recent Synod Mission Grant to set up and run alternative forms of worship. This included Café Church, Folk and Food, Christmas themed music sessions and a Lent Celebration – which featured pancakes, preaching and music.
Sunday Church Host Shows Successes in Welcoming Newcomers
Many churches consider ways to increase their congregations, become more welcoming and assist people in wanting to stay. Thomas Risley has appointed a Sunday Church Host to help support this work and they are already seeing many successes.
Allerton URC goes Wild with Synod Mission Fund
A holiday club for 5 – 11 year-olds proved so successful for Allerton URC last year using a Small Mission Grant from Synod, that it is running again this summer (2024). Up to forty children attended daily. The title of the club reflected the ecological themes of the week, with a different theme each day.
Holy Week Across URC Mersey Synod: Palm Sunday celebration at West Kirby URC
Over 120 members and friends of West Kirby URC, including many families from the church's toddler group and children's club, enjoyed a fabulous Family Celebration on Palm Sunday afternoon.
Holy Week Across URC Mersey Synod: Hopes and Dreams at Ormskirk Street’s Easter Experience
Ormskirk Street recently hosted two Year 2 classes from Queen's Park CE/URC Primary School, as they learned about Easter and the events of Holy Week.
Ian Thomas, a Church Elder in charge of Experiencing Easter at Ormskirk Street talks us through the event and its importance to the church and school community.
Holy Week Across URC Mersey Synod: “Experience Easter” at St David’s, Eastham
Every two years, St David's URC, Eastham spends four days building 1st Century Jerusalem in their sanctuary for up to 300 school children and staff to visit and experience Easter.
Chris Kellett, Church Secretary and Synod Rep for St David’s Eastham talks about the Easter Experience and what it means to the church and local school.
Trinity United Reformed Church Wigan Wedding Celebration
Trinity URC Wigan was delighted to hold its first same sex marriage service for two of its members- Malcolm and Chris Garforth-Fife. Revd Tim Meadows, the Moderator Elect of the General Assembly, conducted a beautiful service and Café Jam led the music before and during the ceremony
Christ Church United Reformed Church, Port Sunlight, Welcomes 15 New Members
Christ Church United Reformed Church in Port Sunlight on the Wirral, welcomed 15 new members on Sunday 5th November. Over the last few years, the congregation in Church Drive has welcomed many visitors into the church building on weekdays, including its Open Church events, and at Sunday morning worship. Over time, a number of people have come along for Sunday worship and chosen to stay to become part of the church community.
River of Poppies at Christ Church United Reformed Church, Port Sunlight Christ
Christ Church United Reformed Church, Port Sunlight, with the assistance of the Green Watch from Bromborough Community Fire Station, installed a River of Poppies on the tower of the church in Church Drive. This also featured on BBC Radio Merseyside on Daybreak with Paul Beesley.
Worship Development Coordinator role for West Kirby’s Emma Jackson
West Kirby URC member Emma Jackson has been appointed as Worship Development Coordinator. Emma has made a real impact at the church for a long time, using her God-given skills and talents as a musician and dancer both in Sunday worship and in holiday clubs and children's clubs
Feature: How a multifunction faith space is transforming Christ Church URC Haydock
In the New Testament, Matthew 19:26 proclaims, “…God all things are possible.”
Christ Church URC Haydock has repurposed their building so that the hall is now a multifunction space - sanctuary on a Sunday, a room for youth clubs, Girl’s Brigade, the parents and toddlers groups and Messy Church through the week. The church feels like it has a new life and is growing through the changes.
Ongoing Church support and creative outreach for Ukrainian Community at the Uniting Church in Garden Lane
The Uniting Church in Garden Lane welcomed 120 Ukrainian people towards the end of the summer for a celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day. Stalls set up on the day and cash donations raised £500 for medical aid in Ukraine. Refreshments were provided by local shopkeepers and the whole community got involved.
Mersey Synod Meeting: A day to connect, share experiences and Talk Faith
Revd Geoff Felton, Moderator for Mersey Synod, welcomed everyone to Synod at Heswall URC as we started our bi-annual meeting with a day of connecting, sharing experiences and Talking Faith - covering money, friendships, wellbeing and talking faith in small groups.
Harvest Celebration Highlights from across our churches
Harvest is an important time to remember God as creator and be thankful for the good things He provides. There are many celebrations across our churches, bringing communities together and supporting those in need. Here are some highlights from across the Mersey Synod.
Lundie Memorial Award for Malpas Community Church Member
An active member of a Mersey church has gained a Lundie Memorial Award. Abby Mayers, aged 20, who attends Malpas Community Church in Cheshire, was July’s winner.
Leading your Church into Growth
At Mersey URC, we think Leading your Church into Growth is perfect for our churches.