Baptist Church

Berwick Parish (CofE)

Church of Scotland

Methodist Church

Roman Catholic Church

Salvation Army

St Paul's, Spittal (URC)

St. John’s, Spittal (CofE)

St. Peter’s, Scremerston (CofE)

Tweedmouth Parish (CofE)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011 Tuesday January 18th through to Tuesday January 25th has been recognised by Christian churches around the world for over 100 years as a time to demonstrate unity. There are many different Christian denominations but fundamental to them all is a belief in and commitment to Jesus Christ. Churches Together in Berwick-upon-Tweed were once again proud to be able to contribute to the tradition. We enjoyed a varied week starting with the breaking of bread together in the Salvation Army Hall in Berwick on the first day, to reflection in Ord Village Hall, to the hustle and bustle of the fund raising coffee morning in the Guildhall, the lively service in the Church of Scotland on the Sunday afternoon and finally a prayerful and meditative session in the United Reformed Church in Spittal. Throughout the week people have made comments. Here are just a few: ‘It really seemed like churches together’; ‘How much better we are if we step out of our own little bubbles’; ‘Networking for Christ’; ‘United we stand’. There is nothing wrong with having our own traditions and ways of worship – they all have relevance – but sometimes it is good to get together as one.

During a week in November 2009 pupils from Tweedmouth and Berwick Middle Schools enjoyed a visit to the bus which brought Bible World to Berwick-upon-Tweed. This exciting and educational project portrays through multi-media and interactive methods the historical and cultural background to the books of the Bible as well as conveying its unique and amazing message.

Churches Together in Berwick-upon-Tweed (CTB) organised and funded the event and intend to arrange it again in 2013, but need to raise about £1000.00.

The first fund-raising event will take place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in the Guildhall on Saturday 22nd January 2011, from 10.00am to 12.30pm (see Special Events page). All the churches in Berwick will be involved and information about their services and activities will be on display.

CTB, over many years have cooperated to organise and run community events which meet the needs of various groups and raise awareness of the Christian message. Individuals have represented the committee and had an input into various community projects in the town, such as Cittaslow and the Berwick Borough Local Strategic Partnership. It has also, over many years, promoted the forum for the election hustings.

Children and Youth: For the last two years a small group, drawn from several churches, have run a holiday club in Scremerston First School. Another group is getting itself familiar with the Youth Alpha course which communicates to the younger generation through multi-media methods. Support has been given to Berwick Youth Project.

Unisong presented its fifth annual modern Christian musical in the Maltings last October. This group is comprised of members from many churches in the area and some from no church background at all. CTB underwrote and initiated the first production in 2006.

Action for Justice and Peace: Over the years we have had a number of enthusiastic members promoting initiatives such as Fair Trade and Climate change issues in the town. Christian Aid events have been organised. Information about social issues have been shared and acted upon.
The committee also collates information about services and visits in Retirement Homes and ensures that each Home has some spiritual care.

CTB lays a wreath at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Each year, CTB encourages its members to support the Lent Lunches organised by the Methodist and URC churches. But it becomes most visible when, it presents its Easter witness on Good Friday on the Guildhall steps. This year it is expected that the witness will develop its dramatic content and highlight the message of the Good News which is where the unity between the churches is expressed around the most central event of our joint faith: the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Over many years Churches Together in Berwick-upon-Tweed have been demonstrating that they have a common message and a common purpose. The seven branches of the Christian church represented have different emphasise in teaching and different styles of worship, but they all seek to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to our troubled world. In the past year they have shared worship services in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held in January each year.

Throughout the year they have met regularly in small groups for prayer, shared and supported the activities of their church programmes, and joined in services organised by individual churches.

Each Year we have had a joint Carol Service involving youngsters in our schools. On the last Friday of each month the Methodist Church holds a “Friday Live” service catering for the young in heart and exploring new ways of worship through modern music and drama.

Over a number of years the Baptist Church and the Salvation Army have provided activities for children and young people, and Tweedmouth Parish Church has organised lively Youth events.

Christmas is a time when this unity in most in evidence. Every church will be sharing the message of the most significant intervention in world history, of how God sent His Son into the world as a baby who would grow into the man who would live His whole life demonstrating the love of God for all men. This year the festivities kick off on Tuesday 8th December at 7.00pm with a Community Carol Service in the Guildhall organised by the Salvation Army.