Preparing a Programme
There are two parts to a Twinning Visit.
- Tourism - visits, parties, relaxation, staying with hosts,...
- Study - some aspect of local or common concern
While the planning is going on, find out all you can about the place you are going to visit.
- Some knowledge about its history and geography will give you a head start when you actually get there.
- Maybe there are some current problems that you should know about in advance. Is there a website you can browse?
- Can you get hold of newspapers or magazine articles?
There should be a Planning Group in both churches.
- Plan the leisure time.
- include time to share some meals all together (this can help to involve folk who cannot take part in other events).
- Arrange a Civic Reception.
- invite local MPs, MEPs, the media.
- involve schools and colleges.
- Plan shared worship.
- Invite other local churches to take part.
- If Roman Catholic churches are involved, be sensitive to the issue of sharing the Holy Communion ("Eucharistic Hospitality") - official guidelines are available. There are several Agreements now which are beginning to open doors of recognition between national Churches- e.g. Meissen, Porvoo and Leuenberg.
