"This is the top job in the United Reformed Church" said former Moderator of Assembly Dr David Peel, as he was inducted as minister into a local pastorate after twenty years spent in theological education and training. The service was held at St Andrew's URC, Monkseaton on Saturday August 15th 2009.
The new ministry is shared between St Andrew's and St Cuthbert's, Heaton - two churches within the Newcastle East / Coast Mission Partnership, where ministerial resources are already being used in new and exciting ways. Within the inducation service, which was presided over by synod moderator Rowena Francis, colleague ministers Liz Blair and Peter Heckels who share in the ministry at St Cuthbert's committed themselves with David to work together for the unity of the churches and the good of God's mission.
Principal Trevor Pitt of the North East Oecumenical Course (NEOC), a former colleague of David's, had already outlined in the sermon the nature of that mission - not a mission of the church, seeking to bring people back into an old pattern of church life, but God's mission to transform human lives and society. He spoke warmly of David's clear-sightedness and vision, letting the host congregations be in no doubt that they were to be ready for an interesting journey with their new minister.
As people had arrived those who knew St Andrew's were immediately struck by the new entrance to the church - the main feature of a building project completed just in time for the start of this new ministry. Where an open courtyard had once stood between church and halls, now an airy and welcoming glass-fronted building beckons people in from the street and links the complex as one. And the sense of welcome continued throughout the afternoon's worship in a crowded church, and through the hospitality of the buffet tea that followed.
Greetings from those who could not be present were read out by interim moderator Peter Moth, who was then thanked through a presentation for his work done for the church during the time of vacancy.
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A warm welcome - the new entrance, and the buffet tea |
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David's Induction address can be downloaded here.