Portishead churches celebrate week of Christian unity

A CHURCH in Portishead hosted a meeting for nine churches in the town to celebrate the National Week of Christian Unity.

More than 400 adults and children attended the 'best done together' event at Gordano Valley Church, Combe Road.

The service was hosted by the minister of Portishead URC, Reverend Chris Searle and Portishead Anglican team vicar, Chris Judson.

Gordano Valley Church, team leader, Dave Francis, said: "It is great to see this visible demonstration of the churches working together in Portishead."

An orchestra and a choir of 36 people drawn from the nine different churches, was conducted by Carl Melville from St Peter's Anglican Church.

The message of unity, love and hope in order to be a lifeline to impact the world in despair was the main message of the morning.

A collection  of £1,216 was given to Martin Knight, the charity chairman of the Woodspring Deposit Guarantee Board, which provides bonds in lieu of rent deposits for homeless people in North Somerset.

Mr Knight said: "This generosity practically demonstrates the desire of local Christians to help others."

The churches in the town are now looking to the future, and are working on several further joint projects, including the Alpha Course, an informal forum to discuss questions about the Christian faith.