<![CDATA[The Forest Group of the United Reformed Church

<![CDATA[The Forest Group of the United Reformed Church - News & Events]]>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 18:34:58 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Join us for our Harvest Service at Chingford URC on Sunday 27 September]]>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:04:51 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/join-us-for-our-harvest-service-on-sunday-27-september

Please come along and join us for our Harvest Service at 10:30am on Sunday 27 September 2026.

The service will be followed by our Bring & Share lunch - see noticeboard for details.

Harvest gifts of non-perishable food (tinned or packaged) will be most welcome for Chingford Food Bank, hosted and run by South Chingford Congregational Church.

Location: Chingford URC, 2b Buxton Road, Chingford, London, E4 7DP

]]><![CDATA[Join us for a fundraising coffee morning at Chingford URC on Friday 25 September]]>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/join-us-for-a-fundraising-coffee-morning-at-chingford-urc-on-friday-25-september

Please come along and join us for a coffee morning on Friday 25 September 2026 from 10am to 12pm.

This is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Location: Chingford URC, 2b Buxton Road, Chingford, London, E4 7DP

]]><![CDATA[Join us for a summer tea party at Chingford URC on 20 June]]>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:06:48 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/join-us-for-a-summer-tea-party-at-chingford-urc-on-20-june

Please come along and join us for our summer tea party on Saturday 20 June 2026. There will be music and entertainment. Doors open at 2:30pm.

Tickets: £12 in aid of Age UK Waltham Forest

Location: Chingford URC, 2b Buxton Road, Chingford, London, E4 7DP

For full details and tickets, please contact us on 07710 452427.

]]><![CDATA[St James' URC closed on 6 April 2026]]>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/st-james-urc-closed-on-6-april-2026

St James' URC in Buckhurst Hill closed on 6 April 2026 and the site is in the process of being sold.

A heartfelt thank you to all who have worshipped at St James' over the years.

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Here's a little bit of history about the church...

In 1860, a small group of people, led by a Mr Gingell and his supporters, met as a church in a room at The Bald-Faced Stag, the old public house where the Toby Carvery now stands. In 1868 enough money had been raised to purchase the present site, call a pastor and build a school hall.

In 1873, the first church with the tower was built, and in 1896 Buckhurst Hill Congregational Church was formally constituted.

In 1953, recognising that the original buildings had a limited life, the present dual-purpose church/ hall was built.

In 1972, Buckhurst Hill Congregational Church became a United Reformed Church and in 1987, the name St James’ was adopted.

In 1987, part of the site was sold and the old church and classrooms were demolished for the construction of the retirement flats at St James’ Gate. The tower, however, was retained as a local landmark.

In 2025, it was acknowledged that the congregation was now too small to be an effective Christian presence in Buckhurst Hill and the decision was taken to close on Easter Day 2026. Members were sent on their way with a scallop shell, the symbol of St James, to speed them on their continuing Christian journey.

]]><![CDATA[Stage One Theatre School at St James' URC]]>Mon, 08 Apr 2024 18:42:40 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/stage-one-theatre-school-at-st-james-urc

Stage One Theatre School offers classes at St James' URC on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Classes include street dance, tap, drama, singing and musical theatre.

Ages range from 3 to 21 years old.

For more information, contact 07912 760504 or visit www.stageonetheatreschool.co.uk/timetable.

]]><![CDATA[Learn Karate on Fridays at St James' URC]]>Mon, 08 Apr 2024 18:29:06 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/learn-karate-on-fridays-at-st-james-urc

Learn Karate on Fridays at St James' URC with Sensei Ian Cuthbert.

16:30 Beginners
17:30 Intermediates
18:30 Advanced
19:30 Elite

All instructors are professionally trained, insured and DBS checked.

For more information, contact 07802 481187 or visit www.officialuka.co.uk/buckhurst-hill-karate.

]]><![CDATA[The Full English at St James' URC]]>Sun, 10 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/the-full-english-at-st-james-urc

The Full English at St James' URC is a men's breakfast for building bridges.

Join us on the first Saturday of each month at 9am.

Please RSVP to Gerald Lee on 020 8505 0300 or bookstjames@outlook.com if you'd like to come along.

]]><![CDATA[Easter Services at St James']]>Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/easter-services-at-st-james

St James' URC is delighted to be able to welcome you to the following services this Easter:

Good Friday, 29 March 2024
10:30am

Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024
10:30am

Easter reminds us that life never ends and love never dies...

]]><![CDATA[Christmas Concert at St James' URC]]>Tue, 05 Dec 2023 11:52:33 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/christmas-concert-at-st-james-urcPlease come along and enjoy an afternoon of music and song, with mulled wine and mince pies.

Date: Saturday 9 December 2023
Time: 3:30pm
Location: St James' URC, Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5NG

]]><![CDATA[Ray Lodge and Woodford Green URCs now sold]]>Fri, 20 Jan 2023 08:07:05 GMThttps://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/news--events/ray-lodge-and-woodford-green-urcs-now-soldBoth the former Ray Lodge and Woodford Green URCs have now been sold.

We are delighted that they will become the home for new Christian congregations.

You can still worship with us at Chingford URC and St James' URC in Buckhurst Hill. All welcome.

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