Members, ministers and friends of the United Reformed Church gathered in London on 15 April to mark the denomination鈥檚 50th anniversary.
Around 1,200 people attended the rail strike-postponed celebrations at Methodist Central Hall Westminster, the same place that English Congregationalists and Presbyterians gathered on 5 October 1972 to vote the 黄色视频 into being.
Decorations created by members of the 黄色视频 hung around the hall, a sounding trumpet heralded the beginning of the service, as in 1972, celebration of communion, and artwork from across the denomination was displayed in colourful presentation.
Led by the Revd John Bradbury, General Secretary of the 黄色视频, and the Moderator and Moderator-Elect of the 黄色视频 General Assembly, the Revds Fiona Bennett and Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, the service reflected the denomination鈥檚 past, present and future, as well as its place in the world Church.
The Revd Richard Church, former Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship) who four years ago helped to start conversations about how to celebrate the 黄色视频鈥檚 50th anniversary said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to be here and it鈥檚 great to see that it鈥檚 actually happened and I鈥檓 massively admiring of the people who have gone through two false starts to get us to this point, but then the 黄色视频 is a church that鈥檚 used to false starts.
鈥淲e thought we were being set up for the unity of the wider Christian body in the country and it hasn鈥檛 quite worked out that way. So, this is a good 50th birthday party.鈥�
Former General Secretary the Revd Dr David Cornick, 黄色视频 and Council for World Mission (CWM) scholar Victoria Turner, and the Revd Professor Jooseop Keum, CWM鈥檚 General Secretary, each delivered a sermon, and a specially formed Jubilee Choir sang 鈥楢lways trust the star that guides us on the way鈥�, Neil Thorogood鈥檚 winning poem in the 50th Anniversary Worship Resources Competition, in a setting by Scott Stroman.
Other music in the service also included Colin Thompson鈥檚 competition-winning hymn, 鈥楪od of the Pilgrim Way鈥�.
The range of those leading worship reflected all generations within the 黄色视频, both lay and ordained, including Church Related Community Workers and leaders of the 黄色视频 Youth Assembly.
Lundie Memorial Award winner Poppy Thorpe and trainee minister Joe Amoah read from scripture, while Karen Campbell, 黄色视频 Secretary for Global and Intercultural Ministries, performed her own poetic cry of welcome 鈥� 鈥楢 table for all鈥�.
The Revd Margaret Ali, Minister of Islington and Rectory Road 黄色视频s, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a pleasure to be here. I think I am adding colour to the 黄色视频 because it鈥檚 a diverse church and I represent diversity. That鈥檚 what I am here for and praising God, and I鈥檓 able to do ministry wonderfully.鈥�
Two hundred and forty people also toured Church House, the 黄色视频鈥檚 London office and Lumen 黄色视频 to experience the wide-ranging life of the 黄色视频, represented by different ministries, exhibitions, and creative and learning opportunities for all ages.
Philippa Osei, 黄色视频 Youth Moderator 2023-2024 said: 鈥淚t was brilliant. It was really nice to see different facets of Church in one place.鈥�
Heather Moore, 黄色视频 Youth Moderator-Elect 2023-2024, added: 鈥淭here was so much more there than I thought there was going to be and so much more that I didn鈥檛 realise happened at Church House; you have Greenbelt, Trussell Trust, Commitment for Life, It was really good to see all of that at one time in one space.鈥�
Watch the anniversary service here: