Our Association operates on the basis of adivce and assistance to the many and varied groups that wish (or can be persuaded) to take part in exchanges - they decide when and how, and we facilitate the process; a measure of our success is that we sent about 400 people, in several groupings, to Germany in 2004. One of our most successful links (over the past ten years but really going full steam ahead over the past six years) has been an ecumenical link between the churches of the two towns. Our most recent visit to Germany included representatives of seven churches from across the "spectrum", and we were welcomed by members of the two main denominations in the town - the Evangelical Lutheran and the Roman Catholic.

We have found the experience to be very beneficial, in bringing us together in discussions, services, trips and meals at this end as well as in Germany, and it has been a positive experience. We expect to welcome about 25 or 30 visitors next May.

There are, of course, some difficulties. The Anglican diocese is twinned with a different part of Germany, and therefore some of our local churches concentrate on that link. The cost of visits devolves completely on the participants, as our churches do not feel able to make a contribution. And the changing membership of the group sometimes creates slight problems - first-timers want to experience the place, the people, the sights, etc., whilst more seasoned visitors perhaps want to get into discussions about church matters, social problems, what makes people tick and so on.

But the opportunities for friendship and deeper commitment are many, and I feel (as Churches Contact for the Association) that we are contributing an extra dimension to the twinning process, something that may not be a part of the sporting, arts or civic sides of our activities. One example is that three years ago, as part of the refurbishment of the main church in our twin town, we donated a window, which was inscribed (in English and German) "a gift from the churches and people of Kidderminster, GB".

I should be glad to have any comments from others, whether or not involved on the churches side of twinning.

Ray Harrowing, Kidderminster-Husum Twinning Association.

Hello Ray, I have taken the liberty of moving this topic as it is more in tune with this section and an earlier ost about other forms of twinning.

I was delighted to receive this post as I feel that the contribution the churches can make to our communities on an international scale are often overlooked by our twinning groups.

The usual extent of church involvment in the average twinning group seems to be either, leaving Sunday morning free in the official programme to allow those who wish to attend services, or, on special occasions an official civic service in honour of our visitors.

There is an interesting website for Church Twinning here and my comments in the above paragraph are echoed in one of their statements

It seems that your group is very active in addressing the balance and we would love to hear from any other groups who is active in this field.

The following has been posted on behalf of Kidder of Kidderminster Twinning Association due to problems in him accessing the forums himself.

Kidderminster is a very active association and perhaps some of their approaches to the issue may be worthy of consideration by others looking for a way forward in increasing their local public awareness.

Alan



"Our local churches are now recovering from the action-packed visit in May of 19 church representatives from Germany. A short visit (further shortened by changes in airline schedules), but one that contained many good things. We try to make these occasions a rounded experience, with time for socialising and shopping as well as for church services and "serious" discussions. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect is the willingness of all participants to meet and mix with others of different tradiitons, and the friendships that result. The "traditions" involved were Anglican, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and Free Church, and Sunday services included Lutheran pastors preaching in Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, and Lutherans attending a joint Anglican/Methodist service.

We met in a town centre cafe to talk about the Church at the centre of the community, and we visited two Abbeys that had been at the centre of their communities for centuries. The rain over the weekend fialed to put a dampener on the proceedings, which also included a very competitive skittles evening (table v. table, rather than country v. country!) and a convivial farewell dinner.

Over 40 people - many of them new to the twinning experience - took part in each element of the programme, and we are all looking forward with keen anticipation to next year's visit to Germany.

Some thoughts and comments on the experience and the process:
1. The churches' twinning is an integral and vital part of the town twinning - the Twinning Association advises on travel and accommodation, and many of its members take part in various ways.
2. The churches' twinning has benefitted the Association by attracting new, active people to its membership.
3. The churches' twinning has contributed significantly to the ecumenical process in both towns and has brought new understanding and friendships.
4. The experience has involved young families as well as "silver twinners", and is leading to a rejuvenation of the twinning work.

I hope that these thoughts will spark others into considering the benefits to their twinning processes of such projects as our church contacts.

Ray."

For anyone interested in involving their local church in their twinning activities I would suggest visiting the European Church Partnership website.

This site will guide you through the whole subject of church twinning, from why churches should twin, ecumenical and theological information and a guide on how to form a church twinning with advice from first approach to completing a link.

Alan