In a colourful summer evening service incorporating choral music from the recent royal wedding, Revd Ray Anglesea was inducted into the pastorate of St Andrew's Dawson Street, Crook on 30th June 2011. The church, which is a Methodist/United Reformed Church Local Ecumenical Partnership formed in 2005, meets in a Grade II Listed Building (1868) set in the heart of the attractive Crook Conservation Area, the gateway town to Weardale. The church and halls were recently refurbished in 2009 for worship and community uses. 
The induction service was presided over by the Synod Moderator, Revd Rowena Francis. Revd Peter Rand, Interim Moderator and Revd Ann Shepherdson, Methodist Superintendant also took part. Mr Adrian Beney, lay member of Durham Cathedral Dean and Chapter read a poem "The Kingdom" by the late Welsh priest poet R S Thomas; Mr Donald Mackay representing the County Durham Mission Partnership read the epistle; and an illustrated gospel reading was read by Mr David Thornborrow representing the Royal Town Planning Institute.
The Revd Professor Peter Johnson, a self supporting minister from St Nicholas Church, Durham preached the sermon. Prayers were led by Mrs Ann West, a member of Ray and Ki’s support group. Flowers were arranged by Mr Will Gardner, 1st year student, East Durham College Floristry Department. Refreshments were served after the service by friends and congregational members.
Ray succeeds the Revd John Durell who retired from ministry and the pastorate on Easter Sunday 2011. As a self supporting minister Ray will continue his part-time work in Durham Cathedral Bookshop. At the end of August he and the new Superintendent Methodist minister, Revd Andrew Robinson, will both be welcomed to the West Durham Methodist Circuit at a Welcome Service to be held at Crook. The circuit has 17 chapels, some of which are located in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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Text of the Sermon