Newbigin and his wife Helen left India in 1974 and made their way overland back to the UK using local buses, carrying two suitcases and a rucksack. They then settled in Birmingham, where Newbigin became a lecturer in Mission at the Selly Oak Colleges for five years. Of the British denominations linked with the Church of South India, he chose to join the United Reformed Church (URC), which is the result of a merger which included the Presbyterian Church of England. In retirement he took on the pastorate of Winson Green URC, located opposite the gates of HM Prison Birmingham and supporting people visiting prisoners. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the URC for the year 1978–9. During this time, he preached at Elizabeth II's Scottish Country House Balmoral Castle and continued the prolific writing career that established him as one of the most respected and significant theologians of the twentieth century.