Newsletter June 2026

Dear friends,

Courageous Love

Last month, I was fortunate to take part in our Yorkshire Synod’s annual Ministers’ Summer School. We travelled across the sea and spent time with the Corrymeela Community in Northern Ireland. A community which has dedicated itself to building peace and connection between people. A place that responded to the Troubles and countless conflicts and divisions across the world.

During the Troubles, the Corrymeela Community welcomed people from different sides and provided a way for them to meet safely, have difficult conversations well and support one another. And today, people continue to meet from across the world to do the same.

In our increasingly divided world, it feels utterly essential that we create more spaces to get to know each other as fellow human beings to love rather than opponents to hate. I firmly believe that there is so much more to discover in each other to celebrate rather than there is to fear.

When we meet with someone and take time to listen to someone from a different religion, race or culture, someone who has a different sexuality or gender identity, we are transformed. It is a real and practical way of recognising and acknowledging that we are all made in the image of God. We learn more about God when we really get to know one another and when we learn to deeply care for one other.

And that takes courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, but it is recognising and acknowledging it and being strong enough to do what is right. Each and every day, we are invited to listen to God and each other and love courageously in all we feel, think, say and do.

At Corrymeela, there is a space of worship called The Croí, which is designed in the shape of the human heart. “Croí” is the Irish word for “heart.”
I close with a prayer that is prayed each morning.

(Pádraig Ó Tuama, Former Leader of the Corrymeela Community)

Nicola

Meet the Team – Rev Dr Nicola Anne Robinson

I grew up in a family where faith was integrated into my every day, daily life: prayers at home, attending a Catholic primary and high school and church every Sunday. I remember as a small child simply knowing that God is with us wherever we are.

Church in my teens was more difficult. I continued praying and reading the Bible. But I experienced exclusion and discrimination due to my sexuality. During postgraduate studies at the University of York in my early 20s, a friend invited me to the ecumenical chaplaincy where we were encouraged to be open to new ideas, ask questions and engage in theology and social justice projects.

When I moved home to Edinburgh after completing my PhD, I was drawn to the United Reformed Church because of our commitment to justice, inclusion, education and engaging with local and global communities as well as the way our decision-making rests in the hands of those on ‘the ground’ rather than hierarchy. I became a Member then an Elder (at 28!) and very involved with the wider Synod.

At this time, my life changed forever when my beloved cockapoo, Maisie, arrived in my life. Over the next two years, I worked as the Communications and Engagement Officer with Edinburgh Churches Together and volunteered in mental health chaplaincy. I also trained and became an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher, co-wrote and facilitated Bible studies, convened our LGBTQ+ ministry team, acted as Synod rep on Mission Council.

As I lived and reflected on these experiences, I felt God so palpably present. At the same time, I began to read and read about women and ordination: their lives, their struggles and joys and their sense of calling and ministry. And I came to the startling realization that I could see bits of myself reflected in these women’s lives. I was startled yet also reassured that the stirrings of my heart could possibly be real.

So, I candidated and was recommended to train for Ministry of Word and Sacraments at Northern College in Manchester. Alongside undertaking an MA in Contextual Theology, my placements included the Scottish Episcopal Church, L’Arche Community, Workplace Chaplaincy, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the URCs in the Sheffield Team.

I was ordained and inducted into the Leeds URC Partnership in September 2022., For the last 3 years I have served as named minister with Christ Church Halton, Headingley St Columba and Stainbeck and across all our Partnership churches with Quiet Days, Bible studies, shared worship and training. My hope and prayer for the Leeds URC Partnership going forward is that we can be flexible, adaptable and open to following where the Spirit is leading. To me, this means a Ministry Team which draws on all our gifts and skills across our churches. My calling as a minister is rooted in a faith that prayerfully and actively follows the Way of Jesus. A calling characterised by flexibility and openness to new possibilities, which offers welcome and hospitality to all, highlighting our evolving understanding of God’s inclusive love. In practical terms, this means actively seeking and nurturing relationships with schools, ecumenical partners, marginalised groups.

The promises I made at my ordination mean I take my calling to serve the wider denomination seriously and joyfully. As such, I place importance on playing an active role in Synod, denominational and ecumenical settings. I am the Convenor of our Synod’s Green Apostles group. In 2026-27, I’m serving as Chaplain to the URC Youth Moderator. I am also part of the ecumenical planning group for Pride Church Leeds which holds a service and gathering for our LGBTQ+ Christian community once a month.

Alongside being a minister, I am a daughter, a sister, an auntie, a friend. One of the great joys of my life is being an Auntie to 3 nephews and 2 nieces. I am also a proud companion to Maisie, my 10 and half-year-old cockapoo. My favourite way to refresh and relax is to walk with Maisie: in the woods, by the sea, through the park. I am an avid reader, knitter and Lego builder (though I haven’t quite mastered the art of being able to do all three at the same time!) I also enjoy baking, watching Star Trek, taking photographs and trying my best at Pilates. I treasure holidays with my family and friends.

Nicola

We have had some very hot Spring days, but now we can officially say that summer is here and the garden that was full of expectation is now showing itself in its full colours. My birthday is this month – Mum and Dad called me their ‘June Rose’! – and birthday cards almost always featured one, so it is special to me.

But who doesn’t love the Rose?

We have a few species native to these islands and I am sure you know the pink dog Rose and perhaps the Burnet Rose, found in coastal regions of Scotland, which has white flowers and black hips.

Roses have their roots in Central Asia thousands of years ago from where they spread to Europe; Confucius spoke of his rose garden about 500BC, but it was the Romans who brought different varieties here and new varieties continued to arrive through the medieval period until the 1800’s mostly coming from Europe and the Middle East. The colour palette was creamy white to dark pink only, wonderfully scented but they flowered just once a year, so were planted among other flowers.

In the late 1700’s a very few roses from China brought great change. The range of colours increased and the newly bred roses could bloom repeatedly. Rose gardens became popular and there can be few gardens that don’t have at least one. The range is now almost bewildering with varieties bred to scramble up buildings, stand like sentries, change colour, live indoors and celebrate any anniversary.

The white rose is our Yorkshire flower, and the Tudor Rose the national flower of England (although we share the rose with many other nations) and the Red Rose is worn with pride by the Men’s & Women’s Rugby Teams.

Many flowers and herbs are named in the Bible but there is little about the rose. The ‘Rose of Sharon’ is spoken of in the ‘Song of Solomon’ but this is probably the hibiscus. When Isaiah tells of the redemption of God’s people he says ‘The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose’.

Since earliest times the rose and lily have been the symbols of Mary. The lily representing her innocence and purity; the rose a symbol of her purity, glory and sorrow and of her love for God and for Jesus, her son. She is the Rose without a thorn.

A white rose has been planted in the Church Rose Garden to mark our 60th Anniversary.

GUILD LUNCH

We shall be holding our monthly lunch on Tuesday, 9th June, meeting, as usual, at about 12.30pm for lunch at 1 o’clock. All welcome – just let us know if you would like to join us this month.