Some people say things move slowly in Blyth. Whether or not that's true, it seems they don't always move very far.
For over 130 years our congregation have worshipped in the tall steepled building that is such a landmark at the far end of Waterloo Road. Sadly the building has become too much - but there's still plenty of life in the people. So, rather than disbanding, they took up an invitation from the Catholic church across the road, and at the end of September made the 10 yard move to their new premises.
Blyth minister Yvonne Tracey explained "This was a very generous offer from our Catholic friends. We now have exclusive use of a small beautifully appointed chapel, and we will also be able to use a meeting room and kitchen for midweek events."
The formal negotiations for the move were undertaken by the URC Regeneration Agency "1Church: 100Uses", who have also ensured continued use for the old church. It is currently being leased to NE Musicfactory - a community enterprise organisation offering dance and music activities for youngsters across Northumberland.
The church had two very special events to celebrate this new stage in their live. First, they held their own Last Night of the Proms, attended by over 400 people, with much flag waving and singing.
And the final service at which synod moderator Rowena Francis was the preacher, took place on September 27th with a congregationn of over 150. And, Yvonne says, "It is with a sense of excitement and anticipation we start on a new phase of our journey with God in this place."
Moving out of a church can be worse than moving house - none of us after all will have spent as long as 130 years under one roof.
But while 1Church: 100Uses were spending time at Blyth, they were also working with our church at Redcar, and it quickly became clear that there was plenty of good equipment at Blyth that they could use.
Two mini bus journeys later Redcar had acquired new hall chairs, Sunday school and sound equipment, notice boards and other odd items.
No sooner had all this been moved than a contact at the People's Kitchen asked if they could have Blyth's large pots and pans and cooking equipment, and this was followed
by an unsolicited contact from a County Durham luncheon Club to ask if they could have all the crockery and cutlery.
Yvonne adds, "St Wifrid's have also taken some of our musical instruments (not the famous Organ) and some other useful items for a meeting room and a small kitchen.
With other local contacts we have recycled as much as we could and have been delighted that we did not have a lot of things to send to the local landfill site."