Flowergate

Flowergate in Whitby has to be one of the prettiest names in an urban district. The home of an arts centre with a rather pleasing Art Deco logo, as well as a United Reformed Church (previously Presbyterian), it is an interesting, as well as attractively named, place. Much which passes today for art is rather ugly and uninspiring; similarly, that which calls itself Christianity often seems to be at odds with what Jesus Christ and His apostles actually taught. For Flowergate United Reformed Church’s quality I cannot vouch, seeing as its otherwise informative website states little of what they actually believe. Yet its name is instructive. In a world of thorns and briars, contaminated by the Fall and retarded by the curse, the gospel is a sweet smell of summer blooms. Indeed, we look forward to the time when

the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land (Song of Solomon 2:12), for He whose

…cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh (5:13) shall return.

The uglier this old world becomes, the sweeter the New Heavens and New Earth shall appear. Flowergate URC, below, might look like it belongs on the town's many Dracular and vampire tours, but a faithful church is like a sping flower, popping through the snow and ice, heralding brighter morns and warmer days.