Polmont Old
Parish Church - Scotland
Parish Church - Scotland
Twinning
Polmont Old Parish Church
Twinning with Highlands Presbyterian Church in Harare
Polmont Old twins with Highlands Presbyterian Church in Harare, Zimbabwe
We at Polmont Old are now about to enter into a twinning with Highlands Presbyterian Church in Harare.
We already have a link with this church since Jerome was one of the ministerial team there before he came to Scotland.
Why twin?
It gives us an opportunity to understand a different culture and a means of identifying with international or humanitarian concerns. Congregations connect with their communities, and communities become more aware of the church.
We can share ideas, concerns and experiences as well as time and expertise. It is people encountering people, sharing joys and sorrows. We are all pilgrims on the same journey – all part of the body of Christ - and we hope that although we will all start off as strangers, friendships will be made during this process.
“Twinning is really a ‘sharing of lives of the congregations’, not a meeting between two ministers. Letters can be read to the congregations and that helps encourage the feeling of sharing. You can have newsletters sent to each other. Communication is the key”. Brian Lynch, St Ninians in Dunfermline.
How do we begin?
The foundation of any such partnership is mutual prayer, and already we have many names of leaders of organisations in Highlands Church. Hard work will be involved in the early days as we build relationships.
Who will take part from Polmont?
Hopefully everyone! Initially, all of our organisations will be corresponding with similar groups in Highlands and vice versa – but in time, all our members could link up with people over there. Visits usually take place bi-annually – so it would mean a group going from here once every four years. The Church of Scotland helps financially by awarding grants and meeting the cost of visas and travel insurance. We will need people to host visits, to transport visitors, to plan a programme for visitors, to cook meals, to take photographs, to keep in touch – and if you are unable to do these things, then please do the most important thing – and pray for the relationship.
“Visits are one of the most important parts of twinning”. “They help to move relationships on to another level”. Stepan Janca , Orlova, the Czech Republic (twinned with St Ninians, Dunfermline).
This is an exciting time for us and for Highlands. Let each one of us make sure it succeeds and that we do indeed have family in Harare.
“Twinning takes work. You don’t just twin and then settle down and expect it all to go smoothly. It will grow if you feed it.” Brian Lynch, St Ninians in Dunfermline.
Polmont Old Parish Church
Twinning with Highlands Presbyterian Church in Harare
We at Polmont Old are now about to enter into a twinning with Highlands Presbyterian Church in Harare.
We already have a link with this church since Jerome was one of the ministerial team there before he came to Scotland.
Why twin?It gives us an opportunity to understand a different culture and a means of identifying with international or humanitarian concerns. Congregations connect with their communities, and communities become more aware of the church.
We can share ideas, concerns and experiences as well as time and expertise. It is people encountering people, sharing joys and sorrows. We are all pilgrims on the same journey – all part of the body of Christ - and we hope that although we will all start off as strangers, friendships will be made during this process.
“Twinning is really a ‘sharing of lives of the congregations’, not a meeting between two ministers. Letters can be read to the congregations and that helps encourage the feeling of sharing. You can have newsletters sent to each other. Communication is the key”. Brian Lynch, St Ninians in Dunfermline.
How do we begin?
The foundation of any such partnership is mutual prayer, and already we have many names of leaders of organisations in Highlands Church. Hard work will be involved in the early days as we build relationships.
Who will take part from Polmont?
Hopefully everyone! Initially, all of our organisations will be corresponding with similar groups in Highlands and vice versa – but in time, all our members could link up with people over there. Visits usually take place bi-annually – so it would mean a group going from here once every four years. The Church of Scotland helps financially by awarding grants and meeting the cost of visas and travel insurance. We will need people to host visits, to transport visitors, to plan a programme for visitors, to cook meals, to take photographs, to keep in touch – and if you are unable to do these things, then please do the most important thing – and pray for the relationship.
“Visits are one of the most important parts of twinning”. “They help to move relationships on to another level”. Stepan Janca , Orlova, the Czech Republic (twinned with St Ninians, Dunfermline).
This is an exciting time for us and for Highlands. Let each one of us make sure it succeeds and that we do indeed have family in Harare.
“Twinning takes work. You don’t just twin and then settle down and expect it all to go smoothly. It will grow if you feed it.” Brian Lynch, St Ninians in Dunfermline.
