The United Reformed Church held a unique digital version of Mission Council, the executive body of General Assembly, on 10 July.

This came after the URC was forced in May to cancel its biennial meeting of General Assembly due to the threat of coronavirus and health and safety.

The day, comprising three sessions, began with a welcome from Derek Estill, Moderator of the General Assembly

“It’s so good to be here in this format for the very first time,” Mr Estill said. “It’s good to know we are together even though we are in this unusual communication. I hope that during the course of the day, that feeling of being together will grow.”

Guernsey United Reformed Church (URC) and the island's inhabitants have welcomed the lifting of all coronavirus restrictions.

Phase four of the island’s exit strategy was brought forward by six weeks which allowed churches, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers and beauticians to reopen, and cinemas, gyms and sports venues with social distancing measures in place.

However, the island is now in phase five of the strategy, which has been nicknamed the “Bailiwick bubble” by locals and is a return to near normality after having no Covid-19 cases had been reported since 26 May.

The Moderators of the United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly have welcomed the that the government has committed to implementing all the recommendations of the independent report into the Windrush scandal, which was published in March. This includes a review of ‘hostile environment’ immigration policies.