Revd David Salsbury writes:
The National Synod of Wales of the United Reformed Church met for its Spring Meeting at Albany Church, Haverfordwest and online on Saturday 21st March 2026. A copy of the papers for this meeting can be found here.
Meeting in Pembrokeshire during March the theme of the Synod meeting reflected words which tradition tells us were part of the final sermon of St David – Do the Little Things. The Revd Ruth Whitehead led our opening worship and picked this up, encouraging the meeting to do the little things that help others to see Jesus in our actions as well as our words.
Those in attendance, representing URCs across Wales, were encouraged to share stories of some of the small things they were doing in their churches and communities that were making a difference; ways that they were putting their Faith into Action on the ground for Christ’s sake.
Synod was delighted to welcome Lee Whyman as the new Synod Safeguarding Officer. Lee has been in post since December 2025 but this was the first opportunity to introduce him at a Synod meeting. Synod also adopted an updated Safeguarding Policy for the Synod and URC Wales Trust. Click here to visit the Safeguarding pages of the Synod Website.
In keeping with the theme of the day, and to reflect the changes in the committee structure of the URC General Assembly, Synod was asked to approve a new name and revised Terms of Reference for the Synod’s Mission & Discipleship Board. This will now be known and the Synod Faith in Action Committee. The committee has a wide remit which includes supporting the Synod’s outreach, learning programmes, work amongst children and young people, racial justice and ecumenical and interfaith relations.
Throughout the day Synod heard short presentations on a variety of topics, all with the theme of Doing the Little Things. These included an update about the Synod’s ‘A More Able Church’ initiative which encourages churches to learn more about the barriers that disabled people experience in both church and wider society and find ways to be more accessible to disabled people. A short video from Through the Roof, with whom the Synod is working, said ‘a church without disabled people is an incomplete church’. These were words that resonated with many.
Synod welcomed Jessica Foster from Trussell who joined online. She spoke about how working together, doing the small things, Trussell, in partnership with local churches, can work to end poverty for millions of people not just through the provision of food banks, but by campaigning for a fairer Benefits system in the UK and calling for a change to the systems that drive people into poverty. See the short video here.
The meeting heard from the Revd Ruth Whitehead, minister of the Landsker Pastorate in Pembrokeshire, who told how two churches in the pastorate, Tiers Cross and Keystone, were trying to make their buildings greener with the fitting of new windows, solar panels and other energy-efficiency measures. Following this there was an opportunity for members of Synod, online and those gathered in Albany, to break into small groups for further discussion and to ask questions of those who had presented their stories.
The Synod Support Team (SST) presented their aspirations for how they will work with the congregations that make up the National Synod of Wales. Under three headings, the support team commits to utilise a variety of tools, with an Appreciative Inquiry mindset, to Connect, Support and Enable churches in their work, recognising that those on the ground are best placed to understand the needs of their own local communities. Further work will be done by the SST and others to clarify what the priorities and mission strategy is for the Synod.
Three further presentations in the afternoon session, from Christian Aid – introducing Christian Aid Week 2026; about Leading your Church into Growth (LyCiG), and a briefing about the forthcoming Senedd Elections gave those present and online another opportunity to share together in small groups some of their own experiences and aspirations and challenges as churches and disciples.
Closing worship included a shared Renewal of Commitment to continue to work and pray for a church where in and through us people will encounter the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s love for the world.
Synod is very grateful to the Revd Hugh-John Wilson and other members of Albany Church for hosting the meeting and providing such a warm welcome to those who had travelled to Haverfordwest. We hope that those who came were inspired to Do the Little Things in their own church and communities, making a difference for Christ’s sake.
Synod next meets on the 17th October 2026 online and at the Priory Centre in Abergavenny.
