Durham Churches Together
Durham Churches Together is affiliated to Churches Together in England and seeks to coordinate activities on behalf of all the churches in Durham City.
Chair: The Revd Alan Middleton (alan.middleton21@btinternet.com)
Secretary: Kirsty Thomas (christinajc.thomas@gmail.com)
The DCT Committee
Elected at the AGM in February, the committee comprises Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and representatives of the Churches. The Committee plans and helps promote the programme of activities.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM in February receives a report on the year’s activities; elects the committee; and welcomes a Speaker. In recent years we have welcomed Revd Professor Jeff Astley, Dr Keith Bartlett, and Professor John Barclay.
Activities
The Good Friday Act of Witness
This begins at St Nicholas Church in the Market Square, and proceeds along the High Street returning to the Market.
A Cross leads the way and Banners illustrating scenes from the Passion head groups of walkers. Hymns are sung and the scenes from the Banners explained.
ONE WORLD WEEK COMMUNITY LUNCH
In partnership with St Antony’s Priory DCT celebrates locally sourced produce in a Community lunch prepared by volunteers. Food justice depends on small farmers being encouraged to grow food for local consumption.
NEW YEARS EVE PROCESSION AND CATHEDRAL SERVICE
A torchlight procession leaves the Market Square and arrives at the Cathedral for the opening of the Service at 5.30 pm. The Service is supported by 400 people of all ages.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY BREAKFAST or lunch
The Breakfast/lunch is hosted by different churches each year.
GRAPEVINE
This is the monthly e-circular of notices from all the Durham churches and has a wide readership. Send information your church may wish to circulate in the monthly copy of Grapevine by the 25th of the month to grapevine@btinternet.com.
PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
The prayers for Peace and Justice in the Cathedral at twelve noon on Thursdays are led by a group of volunteers from the churches.
THE GUILD OF ST RAPHAEL
The Guild is part of a nationwide Church of England Guild for the ministry of healing. Each Guild appoints a voluntary Chaplain. The Durham Guild is we believe the only ecumenical one in the country.
St John’s Church, Nevilles Cross hosts the monthly service on the fourth Sunday of each month.
Grapevine
Grapevine is a monthly e-circular for Durham church notices. Email grapevine@btinternet.com for details.
Related Organisations
- Christian Aid
- Durham Christian Partnership (which has a Foodbank)
- NEICE (North of England Institute for Christian Education)
- Religious Resources Centre
- Salvation Army
- Shepherds Dene Retreat House
- St Antony's Priory (ecumenical spirituality centre)
- St Margaret's Centre
- Women’s World Day of Prayer (janes.middleton@btinternet.com)