Category Archives: Moderator’s blog

Ceasefire in Gaza now urges Moderator

In this blog, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson reflects on how 2024 sadly begins with a focus on the Israel Gaza war and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

 

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the orphan; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)

New Year greetings to you all!

We have now left 2023 – a year that saw the world emerging hopeful and reflective after the unprecedented period of isolation brought on by the pandemic. We rallied around each other and our communities as we looked to rebuild our lives and strengthen our faith. As such, I would say that this past Christmas would have held more significance for our humanity for many of us that we are each other’s keepers, and collectively, our prayers have been for peace, comfort, love, and security.

However, 2024 begins with an appalling tragedy from which we cannot – must not – look away. Our humanity is again being touched by its gravity, and we must speak up and speak out. The time is past for debate and rhetoric on what is happening in Gaza. It is incumbent on us to speak out loudly with those demanding a ceasefire now.  Continue reading

Introducing the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, General Assembly Moderator 2023-2024

In this blog, Tessa introduces herself and outlines her aspirations for her moderatorial year:

Friends, I am Tessa Henry-Robinson – Minister of the Word and Sacraments in a four-congregation pastorate in Thames North Synod. I am the present Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church. I am also a spouse, mother, grandmother, sibling, and colleague.

In my moderatorial year, I aim to meet many of you where you are and look forward to visiting partners of the URC where they are, having already attended the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

I am interested in listening to and sharing stories, insights, and experiences as part of my commitment to assist in helping to guide the denomination to become a Church where all God’s people are embraced with grace, peace and the knowledge that they are seen and heard.

Continue reading

Introducing the General Assembly Chaplains 2023-2024

The Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson made history at the 2023 United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly when she was inducted as its first Black and ethnically-minoritised woman Moderator.

In her first blog, Tessa introduces her Chaplains, Karen Campbell, Secretary for Global & Intercultural Ministries, and the Revd Stephen Ansa-Addo, Minister of Park and Hungerford United Reformed churches:

I am pleased to introduce my Chaplains to you, two people whose sense of community will bring many strengths to speak to the needs of our multi-diverse denomination. Stepping into the role of Moderator, I recognised that having two Chaplains is necessary in these times in which colleagues are increasingly asked to divide their time in creative and sometimes miraculous ways. Continue reading