Who's who
contacting the Synod Officers and Staff
Synod Office Team
Roles and Responsibilities
Claire is the new office manager here at the NW Synod having started in August this year.
Claire has worked as an office manager within the fast paced IT industry for the last 9 years and will therefore bring with her new skills and innovations that will help improve existing processes within the synod.
Claire will be responsible for the day to day running of the office whilst also providing support to the moderator and other synods officers. Claire will also play a key role in moving the synod office to larger premises at Salford Quays
Roles and Responsibilities
Kerry is the Communications and Business Support officer and has worked for the Synod since 2008.
Kerry plays a key role in working with the Synod Officers and staff in the effective operation of the Synod. Her duties include business support across the Synod Office, the maintenance of the database, newsletter, website and general emails.
Roles and Responsibilities
Brian’s responsibilities include offering leadership to the Synod and its churches – in taking forward the synod’s Missional Discipleship strategy, the care of ministers, and the support of local churches as they discern God’s mission in their communities. Brian relates to other Christian denominations at regional level so that wherever possible co-operation and partnership can happen. The Moderator also plays a part in the wider life of the URC. Brian also maintains personal and URC links with the indigenous and historic churches in Palestine. He also spends a lot of time on the M6, and likes cake!
Roles and Responsibilities
Tim is the new Synod Clerk, having started in September 2020.
Tim spent the last 30 years as a Solicitor Advocate, and Partner in a multi-discipline legal practice; his years of experience in managing a business, supervising staff and practising law throughout that time will hopefully bring benefit and a new perspective to the role of Synod Clerk.
The Clerk is responsible for the effective running of the Synod Office and ensuring good governance in the Synod Meeting and its committees.
For local Churches, the Clerk is the source of advice about good governance and compliance with the URC’s procedures for churches, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Treasurer is responsible for the financial strategy for the Synod, including the budget and the contribution to the central church to meet the costs of Ministry. The Treasurer also supports local churches in matters of good financial management and in the applications for grant funding to support and invest in mission.
The Treasurer is also one of the Trustees of the Synod Trust Company.
Mission and Discipleship Team
Roles and Responsibilities
Supporting local churches in the Lancashire Area with their ministry and mission.
Roles and Responsibilities
Supporting local churches in the Central Area with their ministry and mission.
Roles and Responsibilities
Supporting local churches in the South Area with their ministry and mission.
Learning and Development Team
Roles and Responsibilities
The Synod Safeguarding Advisor’s responsibilities include;
- Delivering synod safeguarding training to ministers and safeguarding coordinators
- Creating safer environments within the church, ensuring that key individuals have current DBS checks in place
- Responding to safeguarding allegations and concerns
- Ensuring that churches have the latest procedures and policies in place
Roles and Responsibilities
The Children and Youth Development Officer (CYDO) for the North Western Synod is responsible for encouraging and enabling local churches to more effectively meet the needs of the children and young people in the community served by the church – whether in church groups or in the wider local community.
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Roles and Responsibilities
The Learning and Development Officer’s responsibilities include working on the URCs Education for Ministry programmes.
EM1: The Introductory Course for candidates accepted for training for URC ministry
EM2: The six modules for newly ordained ministers in their first three years
EM3: Self selected training opportunities for ministers and CRCWs, and three month Sabbaticals every 10 years.
Finance Team
Roles and Responsibilities
The Synod Treasurer sets the budget, helps local churches understand their contributions to the URC and Synod budget, leads on the Synod grants’ programme which supports our churches with around £100,000 a year. The treasurer works closely with our finance worker, and with the other Officers, and the Treasurer serves on the Executive and Resources Committees.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Finance Officer is responsible for all payments which need to be made by the Synod. He prepares the monthly and annual accounts. The Finance Officer administers the investments and savings for the Synod and local churches as well as the grants and loans paid to churches by the Synod.
The Finance Clerk manages the Purchase ledger function, Weekly BACS payments run, follows up any queries with Suppliers (mainly utility companies), reviews creditors’ control report and assists with any bank reconciliation items. She also undertakes any other duties required by the Finance officer.
Trust, Legal, and Property Team
Roles and Responsibilities
As Convener of Synod Resources Committee and Chair of Trust it is Jean’s role to ensure that matters relating to property and finance are managed effectively and appropriately; and as Chair of the Trust Company to ensure it acts as Custodian Trustees for property and investments on behalf of the Synod and of the local churches.
Roles and Responsibilities
Adelle advises the Synod Resources Committee and churches of the various legal aspects of our life together – particularly over the sale and rent of property ensuring we work within the provisions of the URC Acts and charity law.
Roles and Responsibilities
Mike is recently retired from working as a Building Services Consultant for 41 years, and hence bring a considerable amount of experience to the position of Synod Property Officer.
Where we are
The North Western Synod Office
Franklin Street
Patricroft
Eccles
Manchester
M30 0QZ
Click to downoad a printable PDF of the map and the Synod Office address
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