About Us
About Downing Place United Reformed Church
Pastoral Care
Jesus Christ calls us to reflect his love for us in our love for one another, and we strive to embody this in our care and pastoral ministry, ‘bearing one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2). We seek to make Downing Place a community of mutual support, bearing the burden of being human, and accepting its joy together. Members and friends are organised into pastoral groups of about 10-12 households, each with an elder and one or more pastoral visitors sharing responsibility for the group. Pastoral groups meet frequently for social events and discussion, and members who are housebound receive regular contact from their elder and/or pastoral visitor.
Children’s Ministry
Young people are a vital part of the congregation. They join for the first part of the 11am Sunday service with a ‘Sharing Together’ slot, for everyone, during which the children contribute to the worship, before going with their leaders to their groups. Here, children will explore the Bible and develop their faith through craft, singing, games and discussions appropriate to each age group.
All-age morning services are held on a regular basis, during which the children stay with the rest of the congregation and actively participate in the worship.
New families and visitors are always welcome.
During the year, we organise ‘Invitation Sundays’ with exciting activities for all children and their invited friends. These Sundays give children, their parents or carers, and the leaders the chance to get to know each other better as they share breakfast, play games, and hear Bible-related stories.
Children’s Ministry is led by experienced volunteers who have full DBS checks. Our safeguarding policy can be viewed at the bottom of each page of the website.
More information about our Children’s Ministry
Our most recent All Ages service, on Sunday 26th February, was led by the Reverend Jo Clare-Young. To watch this service, full of lively storytelling and music, please click on the video on the left.
We hope you can join us at a service soon.
Students and
Young Adults
As well as being the Church of Scotland chaplaincy in Cambridge, we are very pleased to welcome students to Downing Place from any background or tradition.
Ministry amongst LBGTQ+ people
Downing Place is an officially registered Inclusive Church, welcoming to all. We have received accreditation from the Encompass Network as a LGBTQ+ friendly community through their Safer Spaces scheme. Our newly refurbished building is registered for the marriage of same sex couples; and we are also delighted to offer blessings for civil partnerships.
Around the first weekend of each month we hold an Open Table social gathering of some kind, and on the third Sunday of each month we hold a special Open Table communion service at 7.30pm with a specific focus on LGBTQ+ folk and their allies.
Read more about our LGBTQ+ events and outreach on our LGBTQ+ page.
Please contact Alison Binney, the organiser, if you have any questions or would like to get in touch.
Address
Downing Street,
Cambridge
CB2 3EL
Registered Charity Number
1131462
Downing Place URC
Downing Place is a community of people who seek to take God seriously through worship, study and service that are responses to the living, dying and rising of Jesus Christ and rooted in his teaching.
