Berwick Arts Choir and Orchestra performing St John's Passion in Church

What Berwick Parish Church offers our community…….

The Church is used for:

Concerts from The Berwick Arts Choir to visiting quartets.

Community public meetings – future of schools, public lectures. 

Visits by schools from outside area to study our unique church architecture. 

School prizegiving ceremonies, concerts, Nativity Plays.

Fundraising events for organisations for local groups.  

The venue for films shown during The 2007 Berwick International Film Festival 

Our Parish Centre (Hall):

Built by the congregation and maintained by our volunteers.

In use most days and evenings by many groups; History and Civic Societies, Scottish Slimmers, Probus Club, children’s parties, stamp collector and antique fairs, local Council ctte and open meetings, funeral wedding and baptism teas 

Berwick Parish Church is accessible:

The only Church in Berwick open seven days a week for visit and prayer.

With an open policy for Baptism, Marriage and Funeral we offer our services to all.

We welcome everyone to share in our seasonal and weekly worship.

Church is on a level with no steps and excellent wheelchair access, chair available.

We have a sound loop system installed for services.

Our Choirmaster and Organist develops singers and musicians of all ages.

Many members are actively engaged in community ministry in some way 

Berwick Parish Church and ministry is funded:

Entirely by its congregation, their regular giving and legacies.

We receive no local or national government aid. 

We are not funded by Community Charge. 

We have to pay Value Added Tax on all projects and works of restoration. 

The Parish cannot charge for Vicar’s time and mileage visiting folk within Berwick or on regular visits to Hospitals at Tyneside, Borders and Edinburgh . 

The annual cost of maintaining Church and Ministry exceeds £55,000 pa. 

The Vicarage (situated directly beside the Church):

Is contactable 24hrs a day, seven days a week, main telephone phone with answer machine and message detailing emergency mobile number.

Visitors are welcomed at the door at all times by Vicar or his wife. 

The Vicarage is used for meetings, Baptism, Marriage and Funeral preparation  

The Vicar:

Conducts four services of public worship each week in Church

Seasonal and occasional offices of Baptism, Marriage and Christian Burial – nearest Crematoria are at Tyneside and Edinburgh, each 130 mile round trips. 

Is on the Governing Body of two Church Schools and one Middle School. 

Conducts Assemblies in all three schools. 

Welcomes school parties to Church for seasonal worship and project work. 

Gives talks to many local groups. 

Is Chaplain to Berwick Infirmary , Northumbria Police Force, Missions to Seafarers, The Army Cadet Force, Vice-President St John’s Ambulance Brigade. 

Walks the Town and Market Place Wednesday and Saturdays in his Cassock.  Drives relatives to visit folk hospitalised at Newcastle , Borders and Edinburgh Meets general requests for help at Vicarage, passport applications, advice on personal matters, takes Home Communion to the housebound and shopping!  Continues to press for the provision of a ‘mini-versity’ in Berwick.

Our future plans include:

Developing the Church building as an arts centre in the broadest sense

Increasing our Concert range

An Organ scholarship programme

The restoration of our historic pipe organ