Ecumenical Witness

We recognise that we have far more in common with our friends in other denominations than our different emphases might suggest.  The URC has been and continues to be committed to extending the hand of friendship and co-operation to other denominations.  It is explicit in our Basis of Union (a statement of core beliefs):

“The United Reformed Church humbly recognises that the failure and weakness of the Church have in particular been manifested in division which has made it impossible for Christians fully to know, experience and communicate the life of the one, holy, catholic, apostolic Church.” URC Basis of Union A.7

It is our intention to work to heal the divisions of the past and toward a healed, united church.

The umbrella organisation Wheatley Area Churches (more familiarly known as WAC) was formed more than forty years ago and has brought local churches closer together in friendship and respect.  

Wheatley Area Churches

The aim of the Wheatley Area Churches group is for the churches to do as much as possible together in joint witness to the local community. WAC has been evolving over the last 40 or more years, as we have grown closer.

Wheatley URC is one of four Christian denominations represented in the Wheatley/Holton area. Wheatley itself has four churches: St. Mary’s (C of E), Our Lady of Lourdes (Roman Catholic), Wheatley Community Church (Independent) and the URC, and nearby Holton has St. Bartholomew’s (C of E).

Some regular WAC events and activities
  • Lent Housegroups, shared simple Saturday lunches or ‘Lent Lectures’
  • Holy Week Breakfast Meditations
  • A procession of witness and shared services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
  • Occasional shared evening services
  • Village Carol Service before Christmas
  • Christmas & Easter cards to every household in the village outlining services in each church.
  • A Welcome Pack for newcomers to the village is available through the churches.