Blessings of Unity: Minister of the East Cleveland Group, Meg Robb, describes what happens when churches really get together
Well, it`s not in the league of `Calendar Girls` but the Guisborough Bridge Project have produced an ecumenical calendar for 2007. Proceeds from the sale of calendars have gone towards the work of the Bridge Project.
The project began many years ago as a seed of an idea and through the watering with much prayer and the determination of clergy and laity in the various churches in the town the project has blossomed and is growing and having an impact on the people of Gusiborough. The name `Bridge` was chosen because the desire was for the project to act as a link between the Church and the community. In fact it aims to be `life and support in the heart of the community`.
The Bridge Project is now a registered charity and comes under the umbrella of Churches Together in Guisborough. The calendar is useful not only in that it has boosted funds but also through the information it gives. Each month the photograph is of a bridge (most of them fairly local and all from the N.E.) and gives information regarding an aspect of the project`s work. Bridge reaches out to all ages which will become clearer as I take you through the calendar months.
January focuses on Youth Work.
February shows how the work is grounded in the monthly Prayer Breakfasts.
March informs of the Listening Service.
April has Guiz Kidz (work with children)
May speaks about Chatroom.
June explains how The Town Fair gives Bridge a chance to publicise its work.
July speaks of a new venture called Servant Saturday, which will involve volunteers gardening or decorating or engaiging in environmental work.
August concentrates on Millenium volunteers, young people looking for funding and qualifications to work within the community.
September depicts the Half Century+ Club, a weekly meeting for the over fifities.
October`s focus is the annual Glitter and Glory Party held insetad of a Hallowe`en Party and organised by the Guiz Kidz team.
November advertises Soup and a Roll held on Thursdays (Market day) in the Methodist Church.
December focuses on the annual Christmas meal held in the Methodist Church on Christmas day itself.
This information is also useful as it can inform prayer for the various aspects of the Bridge Project.
The project employs a project worker and there are several volunteers from across the churches ensuring that the work continues. No one church could sustain any of this on its own. It is a real witness to the people of Guisborough that the Church is one body working together, whilst each denomination keeps its own identity and offers what it can into the whole. The URC has premises which, hopefully, can be refurbished to house offfice space for the project. The work is growing and it is, indeed good to see how churches can work together and make an impact on the community.
Psalm 133 begins:
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
and ends:
…for there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.
And there is blessing in Guisborough where the churches actually do pray and work together.
Anyone wanting further information regarding any of the aspects of the work, visit the website
And if anyone would like a calendar, please contact Meg Robb. All the photographs have been taken by members of the churches.