United Reformed Church (West Midlands) Trust Ltd

Who we are

The West Midlands Synod operates in over 100 different communities, from little churches in small villages, to market towns and suburbs, to inner city congregations.  Those of us who operate from, or on behalf of, the Synod Office are here to help local churches achieve their potential. 

Our culture and values

Who we are

The URC is a family of Christians who meet in local churches across England, Scotland and Wales, part of the worldwide family of Reformed Churches, a group of more than 70 million Christians.

The URC has around 42,000 members in about 1,200 congregations with more than 600 ministers. More than 48,400 people worship in our churches each week, and many more take part in the weekday activities of the churches.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Statement of intent

The United Reformed Church affirms its commitment to show the same openness to all people in today’s world. It intends in spirit and in deed to promote equality of opportunity and diversity in all spheres of its activity and is committed to behaving as an equal opportunity organisation. It acknowledges that people are called to be diverse and lively, inclusive and flexible through the sharing of the gospel.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy Statement

Exclusion and discrimination can occur on many grounds including those recognised in law, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, marital status and disability. The United Reformed Church seeks to eradicate less favourable treatment in these areas by endeavouring to:

• Build inclusive communities where all will be treated with dignity and respect and have equality of opportunity to contribute their gifts to the common life;
• Identify and remove barriers to participation in employment, training, promotion, leadership and representation on church committees and in the attitudes and actions of  every congregation;
• Take positive action to counter attitudes and practices contrary to this statement of intent;
• Define within the law when being of a particular religion or belief is or is not  a requirement for any post within the church;
• Develop detailed policies to give effect to these requirements, and;
• Monitor and report on progress in fulfilling these requirements.

This policy is the overarching equality and diversity direction of the United Reformed Church and should be read in conjunction with The United Reformed Church’s declaration that it is a multicultural church and its equality policies on employment, church activities, membership, committees and councils.

Adopted by Mission Council 2006 and reported to General Assembly 2008.