CTWD

Churches Together Weston and District (CTWD) is gearing up to accelerate in 2011 with a new strategy and focus.

We are conscious that many church leaders are busy and stretched and do not want to add additional work or meetings where not necessary.  However we are also aware that many Christians in Weston want to work on cross town initiatives; and want to know more about what is going on in other churches.  So our strategy is to concentrate our communication efforts on reaching church members directly rather than communicating through church leaders.  The CTWD website and Twitter accounts (@westonchurches) are key components in this strategy.  In addition we will develop an electronic news sheet that Christians in Weston can subscribe to receive.

In terms of work for 2011 CTWD will focus on:

• Developing the website - www.ctwd.org.uk - and making it a network hub for Christians in Weston.  There is a diary of events and news sections which will be as up to date as the information sent to me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  In addition there is a forum - called the Village Pump - which will allow Christians to discuss key issues affecting the town.  We are privileged to have a link into the council through our representative Rev Paddy Beresford.  Paddy attends town council meetings on behalf of the churches.  This is a new role and we will watch to see how it develops.  The Village Pump on this site provides space where church members can respectfully discuss their views on issues about which the council must make decisions.
• Expanding Weston-super-Prayer.  Weston-super-Prayer is perhaps the most exciting cross-town initiative at this time.  In this forum church members from across the town gather to intercede for their community that the Kingdom of God might be fully established in this town.  The meetings are exciting in part because they are entirely outward focused: churches pray not for themselves, but for the health service in their town, or educators or the police.
• Launching the noise in Weston and establishing it as an annual cross church event in Weston.  The Noise is a weekend of social action on the May Bank Holiday weekend in which church members dedicate their time for two days to putting their faith into action for the benefit of their local community.  This is locally planned and locally owned.  What does your area need?  What could your house group do?  What could you do?  Paint your neighbour’s fence; clear a messy corner of the town; bake cup cakes and give them out randomly.  Do some research and get planning.  Create a lot of noise for the name of Jesus.
• Hosting one or two high profile events each year in which the name of Jesus is lifted high by churches working together.  We can do so much more when we pool our resources.  Did you go to the night of 1100 lights?  Over 1000 people did and it was led by the churches.  Did you get to Carols on the Pier? It was amazing and even in the worst winter weather I have seen in Weston perhaps as many as 400 people turned up to worship the new King.  This is the sort of thing that enables the churches to have a visible impact.

Much more happening – keep me informed of anything you reckon churches should know about.

Andrew Alden