Margaret Morris explains not joining the URC

Greetings from members of the Congregational Federation to the members of the United Reformed Church on your 50th anniversary! This from a Congregationalist who has been a member of a church affiliated to the Congregational Federation since 1972 – the Federation also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In other words, I was a Congregational church member who chose not to join the URC.

When I was at school, I started going to church with schoolfriends – that was Church of England. I became a Christian, gave my life to Jesus, was confirmed and enjoyed the Sunday morning services with other young (and not so young) people. At university I met and married Ivor, who was preparing for ministry in a Congregational church. I learned a lot about Congregationalism! Each church is different but Jesus says in Matthew’s Gospel: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’

Congregationalism is a supremely biblical and simple way of being church. It is what happens when people come to Christ, and seek to serve and witness together, with total trust in God. For me, I found being able to be part of a church, sharing in church meetings, sharing in prayer, involvement in decisions, was right… I was a Congregationalist….

Margaret Morris is a Past President of the Congregational Federation.

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This is an extract from an article published in the October 2022 edition of Reform

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