United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly Moderators, Derek Estill and the Revd Nigel Uden, have joined European Church leaders in affirming the values of dignity, respect and compassion for refugees and migrants.

On 4 December, a Christmas statement, signed by more than 30 Church leaders from Europe, was jointly issued by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC).

As the beginning of Advent approaches on Sunday, Derek Estill, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, reflects on its original meaning in contrast to today's modern-day commercial focus.

Advent provides us with an opportunity to withdraw ourselves from the deafening noise of today’s world and the incessant drum beat to spend, spend, spend.

In an ever-increasing frenzy, we ‘shop till we drop’ to get more and more ‘stuff’ so we can overindulge ourselves on the Christmas Day and into the New Year.

Following the latest United Nations’ (UN) review of global emissions and climate action, the Revd David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain for Eco-Congregation Scotland, calls on congregations to do more this Advent.

The report, published on 27 November, says countries must triple their efforts to tackle climate change and that urgent measures are needed to keep global temperature rises under 2°C this century (as per the 2015 Paris Agreement).

This Christmas, Mr Coleman says, everyone can make a commitment to help in their own way.

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