Churches Together in Risborough (CTR) is a real expression of Christian unity centred on the beautiful Market town of Princes Risborough. We are made up of all the different Christian denominations in the area and we express our faith together in many ways. We believe in the concept of “Unity in Diversity”. This means that we can celebrate our togetherness whilst honouring each other’s uniqueness.
There are several key events throughout the year that we organise together. These include “Lighthouse” which is a week-long children’s event in the first week of the summer holidays. This has been a real blessing to hundreds of children each year, whilst at the same time creating a powerful expression of all the churches working together.
Another one of our annual events is the Good Friday Walk of Witness at which we gather together in remembrance of the crucifixion of Christ. Several hundred from the various congregations walk through the town following the cross as a witness to the centrality of Christ in our community.
This is followed two days later by an Easter Sunday “Sunrise” service held at Whiteleaf Cross. Again many folk gather from the different churches to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This is a powerful expression of Christian unity on this very special day.
The Christian calendar affords great opportunities to meet together. As each church hosts a variety of events, we seek to gather in support of each other and to honour the Lord in our midst.
Christmas of course, is a wonderful time for celebration and all the different churches hold their own special services through the season. However we have for many years now, as CTR, been involved at the “Risborough Lights”, when the High Street is packed with people as the lights are switched on by a celebrity. It is a time of great joy together.
Throughout the year, as each church hosts a variety of events, we seek to gather in support of each other and to honour the Lord in our midst.
Organisation
Although our focus is strongly on expressing our unity together as believers locally, CTR is a member of Churches Together in England. We have a local committee made up of the clergy and representatives from each of the churches which meets four times each year. This works well and gives us all an opportunity to shape the way forward.
Ministers’ Fellowship
We believe that strong mutual relationships among the clergy are vital to the on-going success of CTR. To this end the clergy meet together about once a month over an informal lunch. Over the years this has transformed from a “business” meeting into a time of great personal encouragement and relationship building. We share together around our successes and our challenges; we minister and pray for each other in our passion to be the spiritual leaders that will see the “Kingdom come and God’s will be done” in the town of Princes Risborough and the surrounding villages.
