Message of Unity at Induction of Rev Tina Wilson
Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer, reports on the uplifting URC Induction Service for Rev Tina Wilson in Norwich.
As the County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney, I had the privilege of attending the Induction service for Rev Tina Wilson into the Norwich Area of the United Reformed Church (URC) Mission Partnership.
I found the service a powerful testament to the nature, faith, and order of the URC. What struck me most was how central is the church’s desire for Christian unity. This ecumenical emphasis left me feeling uplifted and greatly encouraged.
The service was held on 6 September at St Peter's, Jessopp Road in Norwich. The church is a successful URC/Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP).
I am not especially familiar with the core beliefs of the URC, so I was pleasantly surprised by how ecumenical is their ‘Statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the URC.’ Within this ‘Statement’ is the very moving collective affirmation of the commitment: ‘to speak the truth in love and grow together in the peace of Christ’.
Throughout the service, I found the emphasis on mutual respect and understanding a powerful reminder of our mission, as Christians from all traditions, to work together for the common good.
The ‘Statement’ was also a timely reminder to me, in that our faith is not a solitary journey, but a shared pilgrimage, where we encourage one another and celebrate our diverse expressions of worship.
It was a wonderful service – I enjoyed it immensely. It included heartfelt prayers and reflections, inviting everyone to give thanks for the means through which we all can serve God and our communities.
The acknowledgment of the authority of the Scriptures as a guiding light in our lives was particularly inspiring. For the URC, God’s Word is the basis for Christian unity. This belief is shared by many other traditions and, for me, reinforces the shared mission of all Christians to embody, and demonstrate together, Christ’s love and grace in the world.
As I witnessed the congregation's response to Rev Tina’s Induction, I felt a deep sense of hope. The spirit of unity among the attendees was evident, as we all committed to working together (URC and non-URC) to support Tina in her work.
Overall, I found the service a beautiful expression of the URC's commitment to Christian unity and inclusivity. Indeed, the first people asked to come forward and congratulate Rev Tina, were the many ecumenical guests present, of which I was one.
I found the whole event one filled with hope, encouragement, and a renewed sense of purpose. We affirmed our intention to go on praying and working, with all our brothers and sisters in Christ, for the visible unity of the Church, in the way Christ chooses, so that people and nations may be led to love and serve God, and praise him more and more for ever.
I congratulate Rev Tina on her Induction and wish her well in her ministry. She is a joyful addition to the Kingdom of God in Norfolk. And if no one has been to a URC service, I highly recommend you do give it a go, you will be warmly welcomed, no matter your own tradition.
Article by Dr Ian Watson