The United Reformed Church (URC) has more than 600 active ministers across England, Wales and Scotland.

Many work in churches, but a variety work in other settings that include universities, prisons, the armed forces, hospitals, and other work-based chaplaincies.

The Revd John Mackerness, is a full-time chaplain at Heathrow Airport. More than 75,000 people work there and last year, more than 80 million passengers passed through it. John explains what his ministry entails.

On the symbolic date of 29 March, when the nation expected to be leaving the European Union, Simeon Mitchell, URC Secretary for Church and Society, offers this reflection.

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 
If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mark 3:24-25

As politicians continue to wrestle with Brexit and the way forward remains unclear, many of us are feeling disillusioned, anxious and uncertain. The discussions around leaving the EU have shown us that we are far from a united kingdom, and have themselves deepened many of those divides.

As churches we too speak from different geographical places and political spaces. We are made up of leavers, remainers and abstainers, British nationals, EU residents and global immigrants. We are a mix of generations. We are divided in our views on Brexit. 

The Home Office has been criticised by MPs for ‘utterly failing’ in its responsibilities to monitor the safe and humane detention of individuals in the UK and for showing ‘a shockingly cavalier attitude’ to people’s basic rights.

Published on 21 March, the Home Affairs Committee report condemned the Home Office for also ‘ignoring and breaching its own policies’.