The United Reformed Church’s (URC) Safeguarding team will launch the denomination’s five-year safeguarding strategic plan with an online conference on 9 October.

The symposium, which brings together those who oversee and lead safeguarding in local URCs and synods, takes place from 12.30pm to 2pm via Zoom.

A massive explosion at the port of Beirut on 4 August caused the deaths of more than 150 people, wounded 5,000, and left an undefined number of people reported as missing.

Around 300,000 people were displaced from their homes and, according to specialists, the explosion is among the five strongest blasts in human history.

For many of us, the Covid-19 lockdown has presented many frustrations, challenges and stress.

Fliss Tunnard, a United Reformed Church Related Community Work (CRCW) student, reflects on the highs and lows of organising her wedding during the pandemic and how her faith and verse Philippians 4:6-7 helped her navigate these difficult times to find joy in the simple things in life.