Finding a
partner church
As a starting-point, find out if your town already has a Community Twinning (it used to be called Civic Twinning, but "Community Twinning" helps avoid the danger of "private trips on public funds"). It is a lost opportunity for Partnership if Churches and Community pursue Twinning in different directions.
If there is no Community Twinning, there are two possibilities:
-
Suggest to the local Council officials and members that they consider setting one up - the Local Government International Bureau is the agency to help in this, and there is always list of European (and worldwide) communities looking for links in the U.K. The LGIB is at 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BJ - Tel. 0171 664 3100.
- If that approach gets nowhere, then the way is clear to set up a Church Twinning of your own. It may be possible in time to approach the Council again to enlist their interest and support for your link.
So, how do you make a start?
Look first in your own church. Ask about -
- Language - who speaks what in your church? Make use of school and college language departments.
- Distance - are weekend visits possible? How 'mobile' are your church members?
- Cost - remember the less well-off. Can you subsidise, or set up an easy-payment scheme?
- Time - "unpaid leave"? Holiday time is important to young families.
- Denomination - questions of church order might need to be faced - check with your church's "head office".
- Are there any folk who have friends abroad - could a link grow from their friendships?
- Are there folk who travel abroad on business - somewhere they have been warmly welcomed?
* Remember to let other churches share your plans, and keep them informed.
Then ask in your Council of Churches -
- ideally, the twinning should be ecumenical, even if one church takes the lead
- invite a representative from the local Churches Together on to your Twinning Committee
Ask around in your community -
- are there any school, sporting or musical links abroad?
- maybe there are openings through Rotary International or the Chamber of Commerce.
(But don't let your link become just another charitable project!)
