Poppy Thorpe helped to present and launch URC Children at the meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire on 9th July 2022. Poppy says it was “her best day ever” and hasn’t stopped talking about it. She contributed to the presentation and discussion and in the following worship. Well done Poppy! She told the church about it on the following Sunday morning and brought a bag of goodies to show her friends in Junior Church. Children addressed Assembly to speak about issues they felt were important: that the Church should not only be a safe space but one that cares for people and gives second chances; that children are more involved in planning and leading worship to help them feel more part of it; a Church that says ‘yes’ in listening to children; more church parties for families and friends.

URC Children is a new umbrella for children aged 0-to-12-years-old connected with the Church. Assembly hopes that that support for all children and family groups within the Church can be streamlined, the production and sharing of resources will be made easier, and the voices of children heard in all structures and councils of the Church, church meeting, elders meeting, Synod and Assembly.