Sunday worship is at 11am each week and we extend a warm welcome to those who wish to join us and find out more about Melbourn United Reformed Church.
Should you be unable to meet with us at Sunday worship for whatever reason God's Church is always open, to:
Our facebook page with our latest news can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/MelbournURC/
Dear Friends
The last couple of months have been exciting as I travelled to New Zealand for a short, but very meaningful time. The primary reason for my visit was to attend the 150 th Anniversary of the Community of St Luke Presbyterian Church in Auckland.
I completed my international placement at St Lukes under the supervision of Revd David Clarke 16 years ago. Sadly, David died in 2012, but their new Minister, Revd Glyn Cardy made me very welcome.
It was wonderful to reconnect with members of the church and to meet the couple who very kindly lent me their home for my last visit. This time I stayed with the Church Administrator, Pamela. Some of you met her during her visit to the UK last year and she sends her greetings to all in our Pastorate.
The celebration weekend included an afternoon tea, a concert with an organ recital by their two very fine organists, and performances by some of the music groups who use the church for their rehearsals.
One of the retired Ministers of the church, Revd Allan Davidson has written a book on the history of St Lukes, and he gave an informative talk on the history of the church and a tour of the building.
To my delight and amusement, there was also a tribute to St Lukes Scottish Presbyterian roots. There was ‘get up and dance’ session led by a Scottish Dance Company, and yes, I did get up and dance a reel or two! The Anniversary Dinner included the Piping in of the Haggis and a recitation of Robbie Burn’s Address to the Haggis.
On Sunday morning the service was led by their Minister, Glyn and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, The Right Reverend Rose Luxford. Rose wore a very fine gown, presented to her at her induction as Moderator by the Pacifica churches of Aotearoa. During the service tributes were paid to the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. Church members of St Lukes have included the first female and lay Moderator of the PCANZ General Assembly, Joan Howard, and the first female to be Ordained Minister in the PCANZ, Margaret Reid-Martin. It was a privilege to meet both of them during my last visit.
Rose reminded us that it is our role to be the cloud of witnesses to others and to live as credible witnesses to the God who calls us and loves us unconditionally.
After the celebrations I flew down to Whanganui, in the South of North Island to stay with my friend Dawn. We visited Palmerston North and met some of the local Ministers there. I did visit the Café owned by Rachel Hayes family (Bassingbourn) but it was closed by the time I arrived!
It was a fabulous visit, and I am so pleased that I was able to attend the celebrations and connect with friends old and new. Like many churches, St Lukes has changed over the years, but it still has a heart for serving God through Community action and offers a warm welcome to all who come into the church throughout the week. It was good to share our similarities and our differences but most of all to acknowledge that we work to the glory of God.
Every blessing
Sue
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Dear Lord,
You weep with the world
as it weeps.
Comfort your people
and help us to comfort
others.
Bring restored hope to
those we hold up before
you today.
May they know your
resurrection power.
Amen.
© ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020.
Reproduced with permission.
Copyright © 2015-2025 Melbourn United Reformed Church