Following the amalgamation of 5 United Reformed Churches (URCs), which include Bury Park URC, St Ninians URC, Edward Street URC, St Katherine of Genoa URC, and Wigmore Church, a new Church by the name Newland Church is born as ‘one church on two sites’. These two sites are in Crawley Green Road (Wigmore) Luton & Katherine Drive Dunstable.
At a recently held special inaugural service of commitment and commissioning of the Newland Church, Janette Canon, former Secretary at Bury Park URC shared a reflection saying;
“The world suffered much throughout the pandemic - and churches were not exempt from that. Our 5 different United Reformed Churches (URCs) came through, but we had lost so much in so many ways – friends, members, confidence, and skills. We were suddenly a little more vulnerable and fewer in number. We recognised that the care and upkeep of the Church buildings was becoming too much. Wouldn’t we be stronger together, we thought.”
“This followed much discussion, much doubt, much heart-seeking, and in the end, we knew we would enjoy being together in worship and fellowship, but letting go of all we held dear in our individual places of worship, with all the associated memories, would be no easy task.”
“Nevertheless, a vision was presented – one church on two sites – an exciting prospect, but a huge challenge. How it will all work, but the decision was taken to wrestle with the practicalities and step forward in faith to a new, unknown future.”
“Groups met to consider constitutions, finance, and property matters. Reports were compiled, recommendations presented, doubts and difficulties tackled if not immediately resolved.”
Finally, in January this year, with an overwhelming majority all 5 Churches voted to step forward together in faith towards an exciting new future of one church on two sites.
Revd Heather Whyte, the local URC Minister said, “There are still many things to resolve, but we celebrate a new beginning – the inauguration of Newland Church. Together in love and faith, we shall now set forth in our journeying forward. We will build new relationships and will learn how to be Church in this time and place. We will offer the communities in which we live an expression of love and belonging, and welcome all into our fellowship as we seek to grow in faith.”
Heartiest Congratulations to the Newland Church!
Following the amalgamation of the five different United Reformed Churches (URCs), its representatives hold a unifying ribbon at the inaugural service of the Newland Church. It will be one Church on two sites in Luton, and in Dunstable.
Following the amalgamation of the five different United Reformed Churches (URCs), its members hold a unifying ribbon at the inaugural service of the Newland Church. It will be one Church on two sites in Luton, and in Dunstable.