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Since the mid-1960s, the word "Partnership" has had a special significance in Purley URC, since this congregation is part of what we believe to be a unique five-way linking of local reformed churches:
· Czech Republic - Ceskobratrské církve evangelické Ostrava
· Germany -  Petruskirche Dessau (Anhaltische Landeskirche)
· Germany -  Gedächtniskirche Speyer (Evangelische Kirche der Pfalz)
· United Kingdom - Purley URC (United Reformed Church) 
· United States of America - Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, Connecticut (United Churches of Christ)

The Partnership is an important part of Purley URC's life, largely because of the breadth and diversity of the personal friendships which have developed. It provides opportunities for dialogue across national boundaries that does much to break down stereotypes and prejudices and helps us all to a better understanding of the world in which we live.

The Partnership's European roots are in contacts developed between congregations in England and the Palatinate (Federal Republic of Germany) after the Second World War.  A "Communion of Pulpit and Lord's Table" was established in 1957 between the Congregational Church in England and the Evangelische Kirche der Pfalz: our local link with the Gedächtniskirche in Speyer dates from 1967.

The American link developed as a direct result of an exchange of pulpits in 1968 between Revd Cyril Franks, then minister in Purley, and Revd Bob Edwards of Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford .  The first three-way conference was held in 1971 in Purley.

Links between West German churches and the former German Democratic Republic led to our connections with the Petruskirche, Dessau and, indirectly, the Ostrava congregation of the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren. Contact with these two churches was initially limited by political circumstance, although a number of people from Purley paid private visits to both the GDR and Czechoslovakia during the 1970s and the 1980s: but after the momentous events of autumn 1989, all that changed. A high point in the history of the Partnership was undoubtedly the conference in Purley in July/August 1992, attended by about 120 visitors, of whom nearly half came from Dessau and Ostrava .  It was covered by the BBC for ‘Songs of Praise’, and the broadcast generated an amazing number of letters and comments, including some from as far away as Australia .

Purley URC also maintains a bilateral link with Woodvale Presbyterian Church, Belfast . They do not wish to become full members of the Partnership, but a few of them have been keen supporters of recent gatherings.  This link is maintained through regular correspondence and an annual visit, and  provides us with opportunities for insights into the Northern Ireland situation which are of equal value to our Partnership contacts.

The format has remained constant for about 20 years. Every third year there is a conference, usually lasting for about ten days and hosted in turn by each congregation. The programme including talks and discussions, worship and Bible studies, social events and outings.  The most recent conference was held in Dessau in July/August 2004, with the theme of ‘Guilt, punishment, repentance, forgiveness: the search for answers in the Old and New Testaments’. It was attended by about 70 people from the five congregations plus Belfast .

In the years between conferences there is generally an invitation from one of the congregations for a small group from at least one other country to visit for a long weekend.  Groups from Dessau and Speyer , like Purley and Belfast , have an annual weekend meeting.

In 2007, it will be the turn of Purley URC to host the 13th Partnership Conference. Planning is well under way, and further information will be available at the church as the plans take shape.

Telephone

020 8660 9371

Postal address

906 Brighton Rd, Purley, Surrey. CR8 2LN

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General Information: Martin Miller
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Copyright © 2005 Purley United Reformed Church
Last modified: November 04, 2007