Life Beyond Debt

The United Reformed Church is responding to the economic recession nationally, regionally and locally. 

Nationally, working collaboratively with others, we initiated a day conference to facilitate theological reflection on the root causes of the financial crisis. We are also supporting the Get Fair campaign, a coalition of organisations, engaging the government concerning UK poverty. The Church’s Mission Team is developing further responses.

Regionally, the synods of the Church are planning a number of events, including a Money and Debt Day (Southern Synod), a Church and Society Roadshow looking at poverty in Britain (Wessex), a Justice Day (Eastern) and a year long focus of poverty in the UK (Thames North).  

Many of our local congregations have a long record of engagement with their communities, and on issues of social justice. Churches use their buildings in creative ways in partnership with local councils and community-based organisations to offer services such as child care, debt counselling, credit unions, social enterprise projects, winter night shelters, asylum and refugee advice centres and soup kitchens.

The United Reformed Church also employs special category ministers and church related community workers (including Simon Loveitt, who spoke at the Life Beyond Debt conference). They work in some of the most deprived communities in the UK.

For more information please visit www.urc.org.uk

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