1. What does being Reformed mean for us in practice? a) Semper Reformanda – being ready to change in the light of our experience of the Holy Spirit; b)The priesthood of all believers; c)Elders – ordained and set apart for shared leadership; d)the church meeting, discerning the Spirit together and sharing power e)diversity, e.g. in recognising both infant and believers baptism, though not re-baptism; f)upholding the rights of personal conviction; g)the strong sense of social justice and action; h)freedom in worship, centring on Scripture; i)valuing the local church.

2. What does being United mean for us in practice? a) Members and friends coming from different traditions b) Receiving other Churches’ gifts c) Local ecumenical partnerships (LEPs) d) Developing new relationships with newer churches: as landlords, as neighbours, as mission partners

3. Where may we go from here? 1.‘Steady as she goes’: ongoing managed decline. 2.Anglicans, Methodist and United Reformed Church uniting across the three nations, leading to a major sell-off of buildings and new vibrant congregations. 3.Different local unions in each place. 4.‘Pastorate churches’ of 10 to 15 congregations with one central church building well staffed with a lively programme and hosting a monthly united service with cell group meetings inbetween. 5.New forms of Christian communities predominate, leading to a great variety and only a handful of ‘URCs’. 6.‘Cyber-church’: social networking and new technology creating the possibility of online communities.

4. Questions for buzz groups 1.What do you particularly appreciate about your own participation in the United Reformed Church, locally or more widely? (5 minutes) 2.How is being United significant to your congregation as part of your mission in your local community? (10 minutes) 3.How is being Reformed significant to your congregation as part of your mission in your local community? (10 minutes) 4.Read the scenarios in more detail and see which of them you warm to as our possible future. What may the Spirit be saying to your church? (15 minutes)