It's not quite on a par with churches that rediscover cast-out medieval treasure, but a recent ceremony at a Local Ecumenical Partnership in Bishop Auckland had a special resonance for a number of individuals in our synod.
It is nearly ten years since the United Reformed Church in Bishop Auckland closed - and during that time, the cross that had been the focal point in the building has been cared for by one of the elders of the former congregation, lodging safely in their attic. There had been hopes that it might one day be used locally, but these had come to nothing.
In the meantime, some of the Bishop Auckland members had found a spiritual home at Woodhouse Close, an Anglican and Methodist joint church, and had received a formal ecumenical welcome into the congregation as members of the United Reformed Church. And to reinforce their belonging, the church has been inviting ministers from our synod to lead worship once a quarter.
Somehow the homeless cross was remembered, and the people of Woodhouse Close asked if it might be used by them. The church is very much a centre for community activities, but the community end of the building was without any Christian symbol.
So when retired URC minister Norma Johnson agreed to lead worship on November 22nd, she was also asked to dedicate the URC cross in its new position just inside the entrance of the community hall. At the end of the service in church the whole congregation followed her through to the other end of the building - including those members of the former URC congregation, pleased that at last this precious symbol had a proper place once more.