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Thousands of community-spirited people have come forward to offer help and support to those in need in Surrey Heath.
Surrey Heath Prepared, a community action group based at High Cross Church (a church partnership of the United Reformed Church (URC) and the Methodist Church), was set up in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Since the action group began, more than 3,000 volunteers have registered and more than 1,200 requests for help have been fulfilled by the army of helpers.
The 75th anniversary of the death of German Lutheran Pastor and noted theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, described by some as a “role model of true humanity in the spirit of Jesus Christ”, was remembered on 9 April.
Bonhoeffer is remembered for his staunch resistance to Nazi dictatorship which led to his execution a few weeks before the Second World War ended.
The Revd John Proctor, General Secretary for the United Reformed Church, reflects on his life:
The United Reformed Church Related Community Worker (CRCW) is a busy ministry.
CRCWs respond to and challenge the issues facing in their neighbourhoods, work with a wide range of community groups and organisations, develop initiatives and projects to transform individuals, churches and communities.
But life has dramatically changed since the coronavirus lockdown.
Cheerful, trustworthy, hard-working, supportive, and honest were just some of the words used to describe Helen Munt who left the United Reformed Church (URC) for a new adventure on 9 April.
Unable to hold a traditional farewell party due to social distancing restrictions, Church House staff gathered digitally to say goodbye to Helen who leaves after nine years with the URC: six as Church House receptionist and three as PA to the Revd John Proctor, URC General Secretary, and Jane Baird Deputy General Secretary (Administration and Resources).
Helen, who became engaged to her fiancé Nathan on 21 January, has moved on to a new life in the north where she hopes to continue pursuing her calling as a singer-songwriter and to the worship and prayer movement in the UK.
Since the start of the coronavirus lockdown, more than 1,200 people have signed up to receive the United Reformed Church’s Daily Devotions.
Each morning a devotion, featuring a Bible reading, reflection and prayer, is distributed by email to new total of more than 4,200 people.
The Daily Devotion’s project creator and co-ordinator, the Revd Andy Braunston, Minister of Barrhead, Shawlands and Stewarton URCs in the Synod of Scotland’s Southside Cluster, shared his delight: “I am amazed and delighted at the number of people who have signed up.”
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