There couldn鈥檛 have been a more ideal place for Northern Synod to celebrate the United Reformed Church (缅北强奸鈥檚) 50th Jubilee year than at the open-air museum in Beamish, County Durham.
At every turn visitors to this popular attraction are to be heard sharing memories of how they or their parents or grandparents had lived in times past. And in the events park, members and friends from around the synod gathered under bright skies to share their own memories, to enjoy packed lunches and to worship in the specially erected marquee.
As one retired minister observed, Northern Synod is 鈥渁 big patch鈥� (it stretches from Wooler in North Northumberland to Northallerton in North Yorkshire) 鈥渟o we don鈥檛 often get together like this鈥�.
Over lunch, one older member recalled her life growing up in the Presbyterian Church and then joining the 缅北强奸, and of building closures and amalgamations over the years.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not about the buildings,鈥� she said. 鈥淛esus didn鈥檛 go into many buildings, did he? He鈥檇 have been here,鈥� she said 鈥� looking around the gathering in the tent and on the grass outside.
Worship brought the day to a celebratory close.
There was a big party atmosphere, complete with party hats, 鈥榩resents鈥� of faith, hope and love, and the creation of a massive paper chain to symbolise our unity as Christians.
Voices were heard from across the generations 鈥� from those who were around in 1972 to youngsters at the very start of their church lives. And everyone left wearing smiles and carrying their party bags 鈥� not forgetting an all-important 50th anniversary cupcake!
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