Tomorrow we mark the URC’s birthday and the Revd Neil Thorogood, Assembly Moderator, writes:

“It’s pretty amazing what I entrust to the cloud. Photos, documents, emails, social media stuff all vanishes into an ether. There it waits, hopefully untampered with and unhurt, until the next time I wish to draw it by an invisible thread to settle gently once more upon my screen.

“Long before cloud computing, other mysteries of knowledge floated free. In the 14th century an anonymous writer penned The Cloud of Unknowing; a spiritual guide for those seeking after God. Human reason can never fully reveal the mysteries of the divine, only love can do so. God can “certainly be loved, but not thought.”

“As we come to 5th October 2026, we remember the formation of the United Reformed Church. Many things brought our denomination into being; high hopes and plenty of pragmatism, ecumenical excitement and no little uncertainty. Many of you were in at the beginning; reading proposals, debating possibilities, voting for change, shaping a new life within the global Body of Christ. Thank you for your courage and your vision. Others of us have joined in the story later. Thank you, too!

“Much thought went into the birth of the URC for sure. But we are, even more, an honouring of the love of God and a response in love to Christ and the Spirit.

“I think of another cloud. Many who formed the URC and cherished us into being have died. Across our congregations, we’ll think of friends who have gone. We honour and celebrate their share in shaping us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2a).”

God beyond time,
thank you for working with us in the passing time that is our home.
We see you step from mystery into humanity in Jesus.
We feel you within and amongst us in the Spirit.
This day, we look back as unfolding years bring us to your moments of another creation and beginning.
Thank you for everyone who helped to bring the United Reformed Church into being.
Thank you for wisdom in no end of meetings,
for worship that surrounded decisions,
for debate that could be hard as the mind of Christ was longed for.
Thank you for the years of faith, love and hope that we inherit.
Thank you for the journey that continues.
Thank you for calling us into this amazing story.
Bless the United Reformed Church, we pray;
in Christ’s name and with the Spirit’s power.
Amen.