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Churches Together in Alresford Churches Together in AlresfordChurches Together in Alresford (CTIA) was started in the early 1980s in response to the strong wishes of the congregations of its participant churches to find ways of working together. We remain eager to gain a greater appreciation of each other's traditions, and with the ultimate aim of making our contribution to the search for Christian unity CTIA believes, like all Churches Together organizations, that in order to enhance its effectiveness in spreading the Word of God to a population who continues to seek answers to complex questions, it should try to speak, as far as possible, with one voice, to move forward as one faith and to act as one Church. The Churches of CTIA believe that the Holy Spirit has called them to work together and to commit themselves under God in a local Covenant that God May be Glorified in Alresford. The CTIA Covenant was originally signed in 1991 and revised in 1996 (for full text see below). CTIA's great strengths lies in its church communities, and their own daily and weekly round of services held at different times, and embracing all ages. CTIA regularly publishes a list of services to those in the community THE CHURCHES TOGETHER COVENANTWe, the members of the following Churches in New Alresford, the Church of St. Gregory the Great, The Church of St. John the Baptist, and the Alresford Methodist Church, together with the Church of St. Mary, Old Alresford: DECLARE our common belief in one God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit has called us to work together and we now declare our readiness to commit ourselves under God in a local Covenant. WE GIVE THANKS for all that we have in common and repent of all that may be sinful in our divisions. We seek a fuller unity and deeper understanding based on the richness of our diverse traditions. WE THEREFORE COVENANT with each other to make visible the common mission of our Churches to the people of Alresford by: Working together for the spread of the Gospel, Working together for the reconciliation and unity of the whole church in our land and throughout the world, Meeting together in prayer and worship and study, Caring for each other across denominational boundaries, Sharing together in service to the world in the name of our Lord, Publicly bearing witness to our Faith, When any of us is contemplating a new initiative, to discuss with each other whether it could, in the spirit of this covenant, be better done together, to join us in any subsequent renewal of this Covenant. IN TOKEN OF TIHS COVENANT we commend each other to the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. CTIA’s ‘Isle of Wight-Away Weekend’One of the most significant events in CTIA’s life is its ‘Isle of Wight-Away Weekend’. CTIA are now planning their third Away Weekend, to take place at Winchester House, near Shanklin on the Isle ot Wight. The aim of this weekend, as in previous years, is to foster and strengthen the links between our churches. We hope that it will provide an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth in a friendly atmosphere and an attractive location. There will be a theme for the weekend and the programme will include discussion groups, social time and worship. There will be activities for adults and children both together and separately. We hope to include different styles of worship over the weekend, some with communion and some more informal. The weekend is open to everyone from the CTIA churches whatever their age and whether part of a family or travelling alone. This year we will travel by car and ferry on the morning of Saturday 5th May 2007 and return on Monday 7th May. Winchester House is a beautiful Victorian building set in large grounds on the cliff top overlooking Sandown Bay and immediately above the long sandy beach. The house provides accommodation in single, twin or family rooms (there is lift access to some rooms) and all meals are provided.
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©2002-2010 Churches Together in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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