A round-up of news from around the United Reformed Church from the past seven days, 13-19 February.
Three men from Iran and Iraq who are seeking asylum in the UK have been baptised at Free Church St Ives, a United Reformed Church in Cambridgeshire.
The baptisms, on 5 February, was on the basis of confession of faith and in accordance with a vote at the church meeting held in January.
The Revd Dr Catherine Ball, Minister of the church, said: “Zana, Araz and Hamed each told their story in English about how they became Christians in their home country and having to meet in secret because they were not permitted to convert to Christianity. Each escaped their countries when their fellow Christians had been caught out. One was nearly caught smuggling Bibles into Iran from Iraq.
“They have been attending our ‘practice English’ sessions each Thursday and are doing well, and have been attending our worship service each week since August.”
One of the men who can speak English well was figted a URC Prayer Handbook, and the others were given daily devotions in their own languages of Persian and Kurdish. All were given a small smooth wooden crosses from Bethlehem that they can hold in their hands.
Sadly, Hamed, Zana and Araz face the threat of deportation by the Home Office. Continued prayers for their safety and wellbeing would be much appreciated by the congregation.
Mission grant boosts community choir
Caradoc Mission Community Church has been awarded a £2,500 mission grant for their community choir.
The Community Choir for Seaforth started in 2019 and is a much-needed activity for the area.
Colin Trussell, Church Elder and Treasurer at Caradoc URC commented: “The benefits to health and wellbeing through group singing are widely documented. The membership is open to anyone who enjoys singing. It is not a ‘church exclusive’ group, but we have had choir members engage more in church and our other activities.
“We’re using this URC mission grant funding to pay the fees for a choir mistress for one year. This will really help us expand and enrich the musical programme and to grow the choir with effective and productive rehearsals. Overall, it helps us with our mission statement of Serving God, Serving Seaforth.”
“From a personal point of view, I have found that no matter how tired I may feel on a Tuesday night, after doing foodbank during the day and the school run later, I leave the choir refreshed and ‘light of foot’ and the smiles on other members of the choir is further evidence of its positive effect.”
Thriving community church celebrates 6th anniversary
West Thamesmead Community Church has recently celebrated its 6th anniversary.
Largely funded by the URC, the church plant has grown from nothing to become a thriving congregation at the heart of its community.
Around ninety people, half of whom were under the age of 18, attended an anniversary service of worship.
The Revd Sally and Andrew Willett, Ministers of the church, said they “are grateful to the Moderator Revd Bridget Banks and members of the Synod Pastoral Committee for coming and joining in the celebrations”.
International religious scholars gather at Otley church
An international and diverse group of scholars of theology gathered in Otley on Monday.
When the Revd Jason McCullagh of Bridge Street URC in Otley learned the scholars were attending a research day at the University of Leeds, he offered the group a chance to meet with the community to discuss and answer questions.
Otley resident, Johanna Stiebert who is Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Leeds then organised the public event on 30 January.
Professor Stiebert said: “The format of the event was that of a ‘living library book’, where every participating scholar displayed a short blurb about themselves and their research interests. The aim of this was – just like with the blurb on the back of a library book – to incite interest, curiosity, and questions.
“Well, it worked! In two two-hour drop-in sessions 15 scholars from all over England, as well as Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, the USA, Uganda, and Botswana were kept on their toes.
“The majority of questioners were residents of Otley, ranging from an eight-year-old, to teenagers, to parishioners from multiple churches.”
People also came from further afield – Skipton, Leeds, Guiseley, and Ilkley.
“Questions covered a huge spectrum and put the scholars through their paces.,” continued Professor Stiebert.
“Freya, the eight-year-old, wanted to know if there were any unicorns in the Bible – and luckily a scholar in the team happened to know that one term occurring nine times is indeed translated ‘unicorn’ in the King James Bible.
“Other questions centred on themes of more universal appeal: where do we come from (creation)? Why does a just God allow the suffering of the righteous (theodicy)? What happens to us when we die (afterlife)? There was a question and an answer for everyone!
“Participants commented on how enjoyable it was to have an opportunity to ask questions and talk in-depth about the Bible, a text that has had profound impact and influence not only on faith but on history, language, art and culture. The scholars commented how much they appreciated getting a sense of what people are most interested in. All the scholars loved Otley and took advantage of a fine cream tea at Joys Coffee House between question times and of a spicy dinner at Jewel of India following.”
Image: Wharfdale Observer.