Ministers Janet Flawn and Kevin Watson report on the return to the Church on the Green
If Christmas marks the end of the Advent waiting, Stamfordham must have thought Christmas came early this year. On December 10th 2006 we celebrated our return to our church building after a year being in the village hall.
It has been a challenging time in exile, through which we have grown in our faith and in our desire to witness. In worship, we have become less reliant on ordained ministry, and have discovered the intimacy of worship in the round.
During this time the church building was being refurbished for 21st century worship and service to the community. It all began three years ago when the United Reformed and Methodist Churches joined to become the Uniting Church, affectionately known as “The Church on the Green”. Our coming together released one church building, which was sold to provide the money to redevelop the other - a building which lacked a kitchen and more importantly inside loos!! The work also provided an opportunity to modernise the worship area and construct a more attractive entrance, which has become a lovely space for coffee or crèche.
On the special day there was still paint drying and light fittings missing, but we were impatient to return. As we set off from the village hall, singing “We are marching in the light of God” we met the Anglicans who had come from their church furtheer up the street. We entered our church together, the Bible carried in by one of our oldest members and two of our children. With URC, Methodist and Anglican clergy, lay preachers, and members of all ages taking part, it was a joyful celebration. No wonder the readings of the day were: “Prepare the Way of the Lord” and Paul thanking God for his friends and partners in sharing the Gospel. We so agree with him, that it is a privilege to be a minister of such wonderful saints of God.
Recently the Church has seen a renewal of its life. Six years ago both denominations could only muster a handful of stalwarts for worship, with no children. However, this is a faithful people and with a commitment to children’s holiday clubs, a willingness to explore new ways to worship, and regular prayer meetings (admittedly at 6 o’clock in the morning, before folk went to work!) these have all borne fruit.
We now have home groups, brownies, two teenage groups, weekly prayers and numerous families worshipping together. But for the members this is God’s provision for the next stage of our journey, which we see as working closer with the Anglicans until we become one, and together seeing the Five Marks of Mission become a reality in Stamfordham.
We thank you all for your prayers to encourage and strengthen us.
Janet Flawn and Kevin Watson
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Church on the Green - before and after