The Free Churches Group welcomes a new Moderator

On the evening of 13th April, the American International Church on Tottenham Court Road, London, hosted a special service to mark the induction of the 62nd Moderator of the Free Churches Group (FCG). The church, a local church of the United Reformed Church, was filled with representatives of FCG Group Members, along with Tessa’s family, friends and supporters, who enjoyed a reception before the service began.

 The central focus of the service was the formal induction ceremony. Revd Helen Cameron, who has faithfully served as Moderator for the last three years, welcomed Tessa into her new role. After formally asking her “Will you endeavour to fulfil the duties of the office to the glory of God?” Tessa responded, “I will, God being my helper.”

Helen presented Tessa with the medal of office and a specially commissioned preaching stole, which she had worn to the King’s Coronation while representing the Free Churches.

 Tessa expressed heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported her and will continue to do so as she exercises this important ministry. She was formally greeted by representatives from each Group Member, from Churches Together in England, Cytûn, and finally by Revd Paul Rochester, General Secretary of the FCG.

 Tessa’s inaugural message as Moderator focused on diversity and generosity. After singing the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” and a prayer time, the church’s organist played a composition by Florence Price, an African-American composer.

 The service ended with an expression of gratitude to Revd Helen Cameron for her exemplary service as Moderator. The congregation joined in singing “You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.”

We are delighted to welcome Revd Tessa Henry-Robinson as the new Moderator of the FCG and are grateful for Revd Helen Cemeron's faithful leadership over the past three years.

 We hope you will join us in praying for both of them as they enter into new phases of their respective ministries.

There will be fuller coverage of the Induction in due course, but you can find out more about Revd Tessa here. Please follow this link for Tessa’s inaugural message. You can watch the service Here.

 A thank you from Paul Rochester, Free Churches Group General Secretary

 I personally want to thank the FCG Group Members for supporting the Induction Service for Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson. We had great support from across the Free Churches, and I know that Tessa and her family were grateful for that. It was wonderful to be with you all, and I wish to thank God for an inspiring and comforting service. God is doing a great work in our world despite all the challenges we face. I hope that the Free Churches will continue to pray and seek God’s will so that we can fully participate in God’s mission, as it pleases Him.

 I want to formally thank Revd Helen Cameron for her work. It was inspirational to work with her, and I saw up close the many sacrifices she made to support and spearhead the FCG's work.

 I am sure that Helen will continue to be a great advocate for the FCG and the work we do. She will continue on the Board and support the FCG as the past Moderator.

 Let us pray for Tessa in her new role and remember Helen's work with fondness.

Photo credit: Andy Jackson/URC

Revd. Dr. Tessa Henry-Robinson's inaugural message during her induction service as Moderator of the Free Churches Group

Photo credit to Andy Jackson/URC

Greetings all —it is good to see all of you -Family, Friends, Colleagues, Acquaintances — all esteemed.

Let us pray.

May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer ~ Amen!

Here we are, met as the Free Churches Group — a diverse body, formed by different histories, shaped by different traditions, yet united…

…united by one unwavering truth: that Jesus Christ, the one who emptied self for love’s sake, calls us to walk the same revolutionary path of love — and we are called to involve ourselves in a love-driven discipleship that is generous, remembering that we are a group of Free churches…

…and so we are shaped by freedom, which is about what we have the right and responsibility to do — such as, the right to possess priceless, grace-filled-independence from state control…and responsibilities to discern and to live the Gospel as communities of conscience, and to follow Christ outside of rigid structures that too often suffocate the Spirit’s movement…

It is also about being responsible for steering clear of things that restrict our generosity towards each other. Oftentimes, we offer each other a lack of generosity, the same lack that is readily adapted and experienced as an acceptable approach in some of our churches and church based institutions…

But, as we walk this journey together, who we are, and what we need to become as the Free Churches Group, should remain at the forefront of our minds.

As incoming Moderator— called by God’s grace and mercy, to serve in this role for the next three (3) years, I intend to be sensitive, aware, and generous in my conversations, my exchanges, and in bringing my experience to bear in the movements of my office. In this role, a broader impact is afforded, and I recognise that my human-beingness means that I have the ability to impact people — in both good and bad ways. I need help praying that my impact on the people and situations I encounter, will be good — and that I will be generous in allowing people and situations of concern, to have a good impact on my inner-script, and my outward reaches.

Join Us for a Hybrid Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Use in Churches and Faith-Based Organisations

A Hybrid Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Use in Churches and Faith-Based Organisations

Date: Thursday, 13th March 2025

Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location: Free Churches House, 27 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HH

We’re excited to invite you to an engaging and thought-provoking seminar exploring the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within churches and faith-based organisations. This event will address how AI can transform faith-based work, from organising services and social action to optimising resources and improving outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised groups.

Keynote Speakers

We’re honoured to welcome:

Revd Professor David Wilkinson – ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science)

Sara Speicher – World Association for Christian Communication (WACC)

What to Expect

The integration of AI offers immense potential for churches and faith-based organisations. However, with these opportunities come critical ethical questions:

• How can AI be harnessed to uphold the values of human dignity and justice?

• What risks does it pose to vulnerable communities?

• How can faith-based organisations develop guidelines for ethical AI use?

Organised by Eurodiaconia, the Free Churches Group, and the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), this seminar will provide a platform for:

• Exploring the risks and opportunities of AI in faith-based social action.

• Discussing its implications for vulnerable communities.

• Reflecting on how churches can integrate AI ethically in their mission-driven work.

This seminar marks the beginning of a series designed to foster a shared understanding of AI and its implications for faith-based organisations.

Spaces are limited, so secure your place today! Join us in person or online for this timely discussion on the future of AI and ethics in faith-based contexts.

We look forward to seeing you there and building a collective vision for ethical AI in service to communities.

Revd Paul Rochester

General Secretary

Photo by Pixabay.

Reflections from Revd Paul Rochester, General Secretary of the Free Churches Group

We are grateful to God for bringing us to another Advent and Christmas season. As we approach the close of 2024, we find ourselves already looking ahead to 2025. Meetings are being scheduled, plans are taking shape, and we anticipate both the challenges and opportunities the new year will bring. There will undoubtedly be difficult moments, but also exciting events we eagerly await.

This year has brought significant changes to the world. Political and social shifts have occurred on a scale not seen in recent decades. At the same time, we have witnessed remarkable advances in technology, including the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). These developments prompt us to consider their implications for society. AI has the potential to transform the way we live and work, raising concerns about job displacement across many industries. I recently came across a church encouraging career development in trades; assuming that these areas of work are less likely to be automated by AI. Only time will tell how these changes unfold.

Churches, too, will be impacted by technological advancements, including how ministry is organised and conducted. In the New Year, we will host a seminar in London exploring AI and ethics within the context of local churches. Please stay tuned for more information and save the date—it promises to be an important discussion.

Christmas is a time to reflect on how the world was forever changed by the birth of Jesus Christ. He entered a world in darkness, alienated from God, to bring light and restore the relationship broken by sin. Today, disruptive politics and technology are reshaping our world, revealing both great opportunities and significant pitfalls. While we cannot halt change, we can strive to influence it for good. Regardless of our political beliefs, we should aim for peace, justice, and the flourishing of all humanity; not one group thriving at the expense of others, but a coming together, even amidst deeply held differences. Kindness and love must guide our actions, with faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to proclaim and establish the kingdom of God, and He remains with His people, through the Holy Spirit, to see that mission fulfilled. As His followers, we are called to continue preaching the kingdom and living by its principles in a world that often cannot grasp the truth of Christ. Christmas reminds us of His birth, yet it is sorrowful that so many still do not understand the profound significance of His coming and how it can transform lives and society for good. The mystery of Christ remains hidden to many. I am praying that God will open the eyes of people across the world to see the truth of Jesus, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world.

The world will continue to change, as it always has. However, amid these changes, may we remain steadfast in keeping Jesus at the centre of all we do. He has come to bridge the gap between humanity and the Father and to bring us back into a restored relationship with God.

Stephen Seamands, in his book Ministry in the Image of God, asserts that it is not more therapists and moralists we need. He speaks of our greatest need being authentic Christian communities - communities where the “heart of God is home, where the humble and wise learn to shepherd those on the path behind them, where trusting strugglers lock arms with others as together they journey on.”

There is something profound about connecting people to God and aligning our hearts with His. This authentic experience of God is what we all need, and Christmas reminds us this was made possible through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God bless always,

Paul Rochester

Reflection from Revd Helen Cameron, Moderator of the Free Churches Group

In a long ministry of more than 35 years in a wide variety of contexts which has meant me preaching in all kinds of locations and on all kinds of occasions, I have learned many things.

I have learned to carry a torch in winter so that I can light my path to the church building in order to see where I am walking and not fall over into mud or on one glorious occasion - the village duck pond.

We all need light to flourish, to be healthy and to grow, and that is true not just for plants but also for people. My husband, whose hobby is astronomy or star-gazing, tells me there are very few locations in the UK that are truly dark – many urban communities are over-lit and light pollution can be a problem and stars cannot easily be seen. The little island of Sark in the Channel Islands promotes visits to its “dark skies” for those who want to see and study stars. Darkness is therefore not always a bad thing and sometimes we learn things in the dark, from the dark. Dark is necessary.

It is, I think, what we do with darkness that matters. Most of us get to rest then, and we are thankful for those who work and serve others in the night. Some people abuse the darkness to do evil things and that makes some people nervous of the dark. Darkness itself is not evil but what we choose to do in it and with it can hurt others. The darkness can feel overwhelming, can exacerbate our hurts and fears until we no longer feel able to tell if we are running from monsters or frightened of shadows. This time of year can be hard. Christmas as a season can be hard when you feel dislocated from the joy and celebration of others.

But because Christmas is not all about feeling cheerful, or pretending we’re not hurt or afraid, I think that is understandable. Christmas is about hope, about recognising that even the deepest darkness is no longer impenetrable because the light has come. The light that comes in Christ will prevail, the darkness will be quenched. We can say, even when we don’t feel it, that hope has come to us.

In the opening verses of John’s Gospel we read the hope-filled and stirring words,

‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it”

We are, as God’s beloved children, the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, called to give an account for the hope that is in us as I Peter 3:5 reminds us. In the darkest of days for all the citizens of the world the light of Christ will shine brightly in us and through us so that we reflect the glory of God.

Hope is not always about being able to remove the darkness in our lives, and the life of the world. There is a lot to be sad about. However, we can and must give an account of the hope that is in us even when so much is uncertain because we believe God is author of all, the giver of life, of every breath and he holds us all in a loving embrace. So we believe no-one is ultimately lost and we believe nothing can separate us from the love of God seen in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are people of hope. We have a hope that is based not on how the world looks on any one day, or on the progress of humanity to think of others rather than themselves but based on the word made flesh and come among us. Our hope flows from our knowledge that God is with us, bearing our burdens and healing our wounds. God is with us transforming us, redeeming us, making a place for us in the eternal life of God and at the very last, bringing us safe home.

So what do we do in the darkness?

A friend of mine was born and raised in Wales, he speaks Welsh first and English as a second language. He told me a story once I have never forgotten. He was visiting his grandparents on the island of Anglesey and they had taken him with them to their chapel where there was a festival of hymn singing going on.

 The Chapel was full, everyone singing in 4-part harmony. It was wonderful and beautiful and stirring. Then the lights went out and the entire chapel was plunged into darkness. What had happened? A power cut!

My friend said he has never forgotten what happened next – there was no hesitation, no laughter, no interruption, what happened was that people went on singing in the dark. They went on singing, in the dark.

They could do this because they were familiar with praise. This group of Christians were determined and faithful, not easily put off their stride, they persisted. The light of their faith continued to shine despite the darkness around them.

So, what of us in this Advent and Christmastide 2024?

We are called to be persistent in our faith and in our prayer in and to keep praising God, to be kind and generous, to reflect the light of Christ in our relationships, our communities, our nation. The light shines in the darkness and it cannot be overcome.