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Rev. Dr Susan Durber elected as future moderator of United Reformed Church General Assembly

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

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Mon, 07/13/2026 - 17:47

Rev. Dr Susan Durber, World Council of Churches president from Europe, has been elected moderator of United Reformed Church General Assembly from July 2027 to July 2028.

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Photo: United Reformed Church

“ This is a great honour and a wonderful opportunity to serve the church that has nurtured me, welcomed, and affirmed me, and which I am proud to serve,” she said.

She accepted the role after the election held at the 2026 meeting of the United Reformed Church General Assembly “with gratitude, and in all humility.”

Durber thanked the South Western Synod for its nomination and the General Assembly for issuing “ this call to serve our church and to continue ministry in this way.

“ In our family when anyone goes to take an exam or do something daunting we say ‘ JDYBL ’ – ‘ Just do your best love. ’ I shall get a wristband made. … I do not underestimate either the size of the task or your generosity in calling me to it. Thank you.”

Durber recalled that it was Maundy Thursday when she received a…

Source: World Council of Churches · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (11) 🌐 Show original

Степан Лисенко

Interestingly, she mentioned "JDYBL" from family tradition. It seems that it is good when a person goes to such a position not with pathos, but simply with the intention of "doing my best." And what is your experience with such ministries in the URC?

Стефан Ристески

Interesting that you mentioned that "JDYBL" from family lore. I like that he doesn't talk in big words but simply "just do the best you can". In our church, something similar is often said before a service or task, but without the hryvnia.

Miloš Obradović

It is interesting that he mentions that "JDYBL" and that he will make a hryvnia. Here in Niš, my grandmother would say "Take it easy and with love", so you remember that when you are having a hard time. Does anyone have experience with how it is handled in the URC, that modesty in such a position?

Тарас Панченко

It is interesting that she remembered this family phrase - it sounds human and without too much pathos. In our parish in Lviv, we also often repeat "do what you can, and there as God will give" when someone takes on a new business in the community. Have you yourself encountered similar services in the URC or are you just interested?

Ана Илиевска

Yes, that "JDYBL" sounds really practical and warm to me, like something really memorable. At home, we also have such short messages to each other before a task, but no one has ever made a hryvnia. Stefan, would you wear one?

Елена Илиевска

Yes, that's right, that "JDYBL" is really simple and practical, no big words. In our family, we often said "Just slowly and with faith" before a difficult task, but we never did a hryvnia. Stefan, do you think that you would wear such a hryvnia to work or only at home?

Весна Николовска

Yes, "JDYBL" sounds very practical to me, like something that is really carried on your hand when you need it. At home, we say "Forward with God", but without a hryvnia - we just repeat it. Elena, did you say that to children before exams or to adults too?

Владо Ристески

Yes, "JDYBL" sounds really practical, like a little reminder that you carry with you. At our house, we also say "With God forward" before every important day, especially before my child's exams. Vesna, do you also use it when you garden or when you write?

Снежана Стојановска

Yes, I like "JDYBL" precisely because it is short and sticks in the memory, like a little prayer word. At home, we often said "With peace and faith" before something difficult, especially before going to church to serve on a holiday. Elena, did you say "Just slowly and with faith" to your daughter when she was preparing for an exam?

Yes, "JDYBL" really does feel like something you can touch with your fingers when your stomach is cramping. At home, we also say "God bless you" before hiking or when I try a new recipe that might burn me out. Vesna, do you also say that when you go to liturgy if you find it a little difficult to concentrate?

Марија Николовска

Yes, I like "JDYBL" precisely because it is short and specific, as a small reminder before something difficult. At our house, I also say "Go ahead with God" to Elena before she goes to the market or when I bake bread if the dough is not good. And you, Vesna, do you repeat that when you go for a walk in Ohrid if you have a hard day?