The United Reformed Church

Once known as the ‘hidden church’ as its building sat behind a large tree, Bethesda United Reformed Church in Tongwynlais on the outskirts of Cardiff has become a well-known place in the village for a ‘cuppa and a chat’ about some of life’s most challenging issues. How did this ageing, dwindling congregation come to play such a crucial role in the life of its local community?

With the main sanctuary demolished long ago following a roof collapse, the people of Bethesda chapel meet in what used to be the schoolroom back in the days when the church offered educational services in the local community. The congregation clearly has a place in the history of the village, but in modern times, four or five people gathering in a hall with chairs set out for 70 or 80 simply isn’t viable. Looking around the community, members realised that other organisations, including other churches in the area were already doing a lot to serve the needs of the village, with a strong emphasis on radical welcome, especially for those affiliated with LGBT+.

Sale URC in Greater Manchester is an ageing congregation. When the church considered its future, it took into account the people who were part of its fellowship and the everyday realities that faced them. It found quite quickly that dementia played a huge role in the lives of many churchgoers and members. Hence ‘Dorothy’s Memory Café’ was founded.

Dorothy was a much-loved member of the community who was affected by dementia. This weekly event, which offers a chance for people affected by dementia, along with their carers and family members, to meet together for fellowship and support, gathers in her name.

An unexpected encounter, just like the millions of others we all experience every single day, proved to be the start of something much bigger for Simon Fairington, Clerk to Thames North Synod, as he bought a rail ticket. Simon explains more:

‘I'm doing choir practice,’ I said apologetically to the lady behind the counter, as I took out my earphones and stopped singing so we could get on with the business of purchasing a rail ticket. I'd been listening to the Tenor line of one of the pieces for our forthcoming Christmas set on my way to buy a ticket at St Pancras en route to Mission Council.

‘Oh, I don't sing,’ she said. There was a pause before she added, ‘Not since my mother died.’ Normally, I might have been tempted to let such a sensitive matter drop. It can be difficult to know how to respond in such a situation. However, I had only just recently scattered my own mother's ashes a few days previously. This gave me the courage to probe a little further.

Taking the call to Walk the Way quite literally, members of Knaresborough URC, in north Yorkshire, walked out of the building and into the surrounding town centre to meet neighbours and cater for their needs head on. The Revd Alan Crump tells us more.

We came to the conclusion that we should love and serve all those who work in the town centre around us after a conversation about our mission intentions. We also took the time to explore who our neighbours actually are in order that we might get to know them better.  

In our relatively small town, we were surprised to find that, there are 190 businesses in and around the centre. As a first step, we visited those that were open on Easter Saturday with a palm cross gift and a daffodil to wish them happy Easter. Twenty members faithfully delivered them and shared the joy of Easter with our neighbours. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive and a real encouragement to step out.