Narrabri Uniting Church is 150 years young!

Narrabri Uniting Church is 150 years young!

Can there be anything more encouraging than thanking our God for His faithfulness and provision with friends of old! On Sunday 6 March 2016 past ministers and worshippers, invited guests, current congregational members and members of Moree UCA congregation joined together for a celebratory Service and Luncheon at Narrabri Uniting Church.

The Methodist Church came to Narrabri in early 1866 when a young man in his twenties, Rev A Kirton Corner, took up his first ministerial placement (in 1977, the Methodist Church joined with two others to form the Uniting Church in Australia).  Since that time, some 73 ministers have continued Rev Corner’s work in Narrabri and district, not discounting the faithful work of many others who have also worshipped at the church over the past 150 years.

In recognition of this momentous milestone, the Service included a Welcome to Country by Mrs Pam Smith, a local Elder, who had been married in the Narrabri Methodist Church many years before; a Welcome to our church by Mr Alan Keast, current Chair Church Council; a Historical Reflection by Mr Bob Willoughby (Minister 1972-74); an Affirmation by Rev Will Pearson, Chair NENW Presbytery; a Special Address by Rev Myung Hwa Park, Moderator, The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT; and to finish, a Blessing by Rev Phill Matthews, Uniting Church Northwest NSW Rural Chaplain.

Following the Service and during lunch, attendees could wander through a large photo and memorabilia display which spanned the years from 1866 to 2016.  Candles on a cake especially organised for the event were blown out by the oldest living member of Narrabri Uniting Church, Mrs Eileen Spraggs, who turns 100 years old in a couple of months, and Benjamin Taylor who is five years old.

Some 130 people attended the Service and Lunch, travelling from as far away as Melbourne, Vic, to Caloundra, Qld, to join together in thanking God for His faithfulness.  The last lines from a poem written for this special occasion, titled “God Is Faithful” by Mrs Penny Morris, reads:

“Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you and keep you as Number One
And faithfully serve you as we await the return of your precious Son.”

This is the legacy passed on to us here and now, and to those who will come after us, to remain faithful for the next 150 years as our God has so done!

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