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.
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.
Serpentine Road Family Church responds to ‘need by loving service’ with Synod Mission Fund Grant
Sometimes it is the simple changes that can make a difference to mission. This is proven through Serpentine Road Family Church’s use of a Synod Mission Fund Grant to purchase new tables and chairs. This assisted the Church in providing a comfortable and presentable offering for the many groups that use their facilities.
Minister makes a return to Blundellsands and Crosby
Revd Keith Hulse was first inducted as a URC Minister 28 years ago and is now leading Blundellsands & Crosby URC in ministry, with one of his first events raising £1,000 for the Church’s Community Garden.
Synod Mission Fund brings more people into St Andrew's URC Meols
St Andrew's URC Meols has made use of the Synod Mission Fund to host successful events bringing more people into the church.
The Christian faith is about being there for our community: Christ Church Haydock URC rally to help those affected by flooding
Christ Church Haydock URC stepped up to set up a donation point for those affected by flooding in the area this month. Neil Fairhurst, secretary at Christ Church Haydock URC, told the St Helen’s Star, “We got the call from St Helens Council on New Year's Day to see if we could open the church as a hub and of course we said yes. The Christian faith is about being there for our community and we are happy to be doing just that…“It’s awful that people are going through this but the kindness from others offering help has been good to see.”
Causeway Community Garden grows with RHS Award and Co-op Community Funding
St John's URC Warrington’s Causeway Community Garden has gained another Level 5 Outstanding Award Certificate from the RHS. Part of the Northwest in Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme, the awards are for bringing members local communities together to make a positive change. This year, the Garden also received two grant payments from the Co-op Local Community Fund through the customers’ loyalty cards scheme.
St Andrew’s Meols URC engage environmental changes to gain Eco Church Bronze Award
A number of environmental initiatives have led to an Eco Church Bronze Award for St Andrew’s Meols URC. The Award recognised the Church’s efforts to care for God’s earth in Worship and Teaching, Management of Buildings and Land Community and Global Engagement Lifestyle. Initiatives included a monthly community recycling project, regular eco communications, use of the community garden, the wide-spread use of LED lights, extensive double glazing and new heating in the main church.
Ormskirk Street URC run half term fun club with St Helens network of churches
Volunteers from the St Helens URC network of churches came together on Tuesday 29th October to run a half term fun day for primary age children. Based at Ormskirk Street URC and led by Steven Mitchell, Synod Children and Youth Development Officer (CYDO), children and adults had a fun packed day.
St. David’s URC Eastham deliver Ecumenical Day of creative Worship and Praise using Synod Mission Grant
Ladies Day at St. David’s URC Eastham brought in women at all stages of Christian faith to a day of creative worship where they could relax, enjoy and participate in each other’s company. They left with a renewed sense of love, hope and mission as they shared the Good News with others, responding to human need by loving service. A day of creative worship and praise.
A Special Sanctuary drawing people closer to God at Parkgate and Neston URC
Parkgate and Neston URC’s whole sanctuary within the church is made special by the Wall Panels beneath a rose window on the front wall. The five decorative panels were designed for the wall by Kay Andrews, an artist who has exhibited at the Royal Academy and is a member of the congregation. The idea was to provide a ‘thin place’. These are places where you feel closer to God – usually places where the wonder of creation, its awesomeness, grips you and you realise that there isn’t much distance between you and your Creator.
Chester Road URC creates Community Garden for Missional Opportunities
Chester Road URC has created a church community garden, with missional opportunities including connecting people to the church and providing outreach to the wider community in Whitby, Ellesmere Port. The Church used a Synod Mission Grant to purchase materials and tools and to cover some ongoing costs once the garden is established.
Snapshots Holiday Club at Allerton URC shares the message of God’s love
‘Snapshots’ Holiday Club, which took place at Allerton URC this summer using a Synod Mission Grant, proved to be a successful demonstration of church love at its best, with so many people giving their time freely to make it happen and doing so with such goodwill. Fifty children took part across the week.
Macclesfield and Bollington URC celebrates World Harvest Festival
The World Harvest Festival held at Macclesfield and Bollington URC this September celebrated the town’s multicultural identity, bringing the local community together.
Fun and Friendship Day at Macclesfield & Bollington URC
A Fun and Friendship Day, recently held at Macclesfield & Bollington URC and supported by a Mersey Synod Mission Grant, met mission outcomes and proved a successful and busy event. Mission outcomes included “Tending” and “Teaching”, as many non- members of the church experienced God’s liberating love outside of a church service.
A Future of Growth for Rainford URC
Rainford URC is seeing growth and community engagement improve since taking part in Leading Your Church into Growth and setting up a new task group. Futures Group at Rainford URC emerged through the “Leading Your Church into Growth” project and it meets around every eight weeks to try to bring to fruition ideas that may eventually bring more people through our doors.
Baptism brings community together at Uniting Church in Garden Lane
The first baptism at Uniting Church in Garden Lane for more than ten years took place during Morning Worship led by the Minister Reverend Ceri Gardner on Sunday 11th August. Edward (Teddy) Austin Hoult was baptised by Revd Ceri Gardner in a service attended by friends and family along with members of the regular worshiping congregation at Garden Lane.
Silver Double for Warrington Pastorate in Arocha Eco Church Scheme
Two churches in the Warrington Pastorate, Thomas Risley and St John's URC Warrington, have achieved a Silver Award in the Arocha Eco Church Scheme.
Oakvale URC Service of Thanksgiving
Oakvale United Reformed Church held a Service of Thanksgiving on Saturday 3rd August.
Welcoming Wilmslow URC to Mersey Synod
On Sunday 11th August, Mersey Synod and Northwestern Synod came together for a special service as Wilmslow URC officially moved Synods into Mersey. The service was marked by thanksgiving for the past and a feeling of hope as the church looked forward to its new future with Mersey Synod.
Talking Faith with Young People: Ramsey Methodist and URC use Mission Fund for School and Community Projects
A Mersey Synod Mission Fund Small Grant for Ramsey Methodist and United Reformed Church (RMURC), with Scripture Union Ministries Trust (SUMT) is helping young people to understand that faith is within their reach.
Messy Church Meets Sunday Church at Peasley Cross
For the last three years, Peasley Cross URC has held Messy Church Sunday, an annual celebration where Messy Church meets Sunday Church. This began because of a desire to engage with families, while also sharing Jesus. Peasley Cross now has an established group of mums, dads, grandparents and carers who come regularly and take an active part in the sessions.
Leading your Church into Growth
At Mersey URC, we think Leading your Church into Growth is perfect for our churches.