The Rev John Humphreys, former Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) Synods in both Wales and Scotland, died on November 17 after a short illness.

Posting on its Facebook page, a URC statement read: “Mr Humphreys was the only person to have been moderator of two URC synods, having served in Wales from 1989 to 2001, as well as in Scotland from 2005. He also served as Training Officer for the Mersey Synod and as a minister in the Reformed Church of Hungary.

“The Rev John Proctor, the General Secretary of the URC, said: ‘Few of our URC people can have been more widely liked and respected. He was a man of great kindness and gentleness – wise, purposeful, caring, and deeply committed to our Church and its people.’

“The Rev Simon Walkling, Moderator of the National Synod of Wales, said: ‘John always emphasised that the synod was us together, and that he was the servant of the synod. He led through knowing and caring for us, and his gentleness and patience modelled the good news he shared with humility and good humour. We were looking forward to welcoming him back to live in the synod in his retirement.’”