³ÉÆ·ÊÓƵ

United Reformed Church

Home Who we are What we do Church & Society

Church & Society

We work for peace and justice through listening, learning, praying, speaking and acting on public policy issues, as part of the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT)

Six hopes for society

We pray and work for a society where the poorest and most marginalised are at the centre

We pray and work for a planet where our environment is renewed

We pray and work for a society that welcomes the stranger

We pray and work for a just economy that enables the flourishing of all life

We pray and work for a world that actively works for peace

We pray and work for politics to be characterised by listening, kindness and truthfulness

Get involved

The Constituency Action Network (CAN) exists to enable local congregation to develop meaningful relationships with their MPs.

The network is free to join. You’ll have access to support from the Joint Public Issues Team, handy webinars, briefings, tips and advice that aims to give your local neighbourhood a stronger voice that is heard at a national level.

For further information, visit JPIT’s CAN webpage:

Each year, from 1 September – 4 October, the Season of Creation (or Creationtide or Creationtime) is an opportunity for congregations to join together with an international movement of churches who focus on caring for creation as part of their mission.

You could have an eco focus at one or more of your services during this period. There are lots of resources suitable for congregations of all kinds, whether you follow the lectionary or not.

The Joint Public Issues Team has a page that points the way to a range of resources, including many from Eco-Congregation Scotland, which includes poetry, readings, videos, music, hymns and suggested sermon outlines.

More from JPIT

How we work ecumenically through the Joint Public Issues Team

Read topical and informed reflections on issues in the news

Become a greener church

How to respond to the climate emergency and care for creation

Get a monthly update on our work, direct to your inbox

Contact us

Email us if you would like someone to speak on an issue at a meeting you are organising, or if you have stories to share

JPIT podcasts

Politics in the Pulpit is a lively discussion linking justice, current affairs and the Lectionary readings for the coming Sunday. Available as a podcast or video

10-minute episodes where the Joint Public Issues Team and others share their knowledge and passion on topical issues

Statements and reports produced by the ³ÉÆ·ÊÓƵ on Church and Society issues

Although we mainly work on Church and Society issues ecumenically through JPIT, below you will find links to reports and statements the ³ÉÆ·ÊÓƵ has produced over the years.

faq-icon1Church and Society resolutions at URC General Assembly

°Õ³ó±ðÌýChurch and Society Resolutions (PDF | 461kb) document details what the United Reformed Church has thought or said since 1972 about various public policy and ethical issues

faq-icon1Environmental policy

Read the Environmental Policy for the United Reformed ChurchÌýadopted by General Assembly 2022 to take effect from January 2023.ÌýFind out more about making your church greener

faq-icon1Ethical Investment policies

Ethical Investment Policy Statements (PDF | 154kb) 2010-2019 including the ethical investment principles adopted in 2010

faq-icon1End of Life issues

°Õ³ó±ðÌýAssisted Dying (PDF | 52kb) full report and resolution explores end of life issues, as considered by General Assembly in 2007. There is also a summary version (PDF | 147kb) which includes a study guide.

TheÌý…A Time to Die (PDF | 620kb) resource packÌýon end of life issues was produced in 2003.

faq-icon1Ministry in the margins of society

Read the report from our 2019 ‘In the Thick of it’ (PDF | 3mb) event, bringing together people across Britain who have experience of ministering ‘in the margins’.

United Reformed Church