New ministry at WiddringtonThere were "Under the Greenwood Tree" -style minstrels in the west gallery (well actually, in the corner of the church next to the pulpit) when Morpeth minister Ron Forster's ministry was formally extended to take in Widdrington United Reformed Church.
This joyful induction service was held at Widdrington at the end of January 2009, presided over by synod moderator Rowena Francis. Ron Forster had for some years worked both as minister of St George's, Morpeth and also of Great Bavington, one of our smallest, and certainly our oldest, church in the synod. Now, with the recent move of St George's into the South East Northumberland Ecumenical Area, the way was clear for him formally to become the minister of the Widdrington congregation that he had informally worked with over the past two years.
The church was packed with friends and well-wishers from all over; and the respect felt for Ron's ministry in the area was apparent throughout. His Methodist colleague in Morpeth, Keith Harbour, preached a sermon that sparkled with both humour and insight, revealing the many years (they were once colleagues in County Durham) that they had known one another. Among the guests of honour were the mayor of Castle Morpeth, and local MP Alan 
Beith (actually one of three MPs covered by this extended pastorate). Representatives of all three churches in the pastorate gave greetings, and a hope was publicy expressed that Ron's presence would add to the levity of business meetings.
Throughout the service the hymns, whether accompanied by organ or band, were sung with a hearty spirit - and the reel struck up after the closing Amen just about had everyone dancing out of church and across the road, where amazingly there was just space for everyone to sit around the groaning tables to enjoy a splendid traditional Northumbrian tea.