Ducklington in Baptist Times
By: Chuck McCombBaptist Times (Newspaper of the Baptist Union of Great Britain)
Friday, August 20, 2010
Ducklington gets new US pastor (by Paul Puttee)
A CHURCH in Oxfordshire was sad to say goodbye to its American pastor—but delighted to welcome a Stateside replacement.
Ducklington Baptist in West Oxfordshire has benefited from volunteer pastors Dennis and Brenda Gree, from Abiline, Texas, over the last six months.
The couple were part of the American Interim Pastors scheme, which involves retired Baptist ministers serving in British churches undergoing pastoral vacancy.
Their stay recently came to an end, but in the time Dennis and Brenda fitted in so well it showed that they ‘special relationship’ between Britain and America continues to thrive’, said church member Raymond Cole.
He said, ‘Before coming to Britain, Dennis and Brenda thought that they might have difficulty adapting to a different culture.
‘However, through engaging themselves in the work of the church and other activities in and around Ducklington the couple have formed strong ties with the local people.
‘They have also developed affection for the English countryside and spoke of the ease with which it is possible to walk from place to place.’
Furthermore, the ‘special relationship has continued’, added Raymond, with the arrival of Brian and Paula Brewer from Pinckneyville, Illinois.
‘It has often been said that Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language. In Ducklington Baptist Church, Britain and America are united by a special relationship in Jesus Christ,’ he said.