Members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church need to go out into the community to teach and connect with the Island's youth, parishioners were told by a guest clergyman from Chicago.

Dr. John Buchanan, of Chicago's Fourth Presbyterian Church, was speaking on Monday as part of St. Andrew's 160th anniversary celebrations.

He told the meeting in Astwood Hall in the capital that churches in Chicago and Hamilton were similar because they had to serve downtown communities.

The Fourth Presbyterian Church has developed mentoring programmes where church members have passed on business and academic skills to urban youths for more than 40 years.

The church has done this by drawing on the professional talents of the more than 500 volunteers in the congregation who take part in the weekly mentoring programmes. This has resulted in a steady stream of new members for the church.

Dr. Buchanan challenged churches in Bermuda to serve their neighbours and community through the Gospel.

The Anglican Church is holding a series of Wednesday evening meetings in the Anglican Cathedral hall throughout lent.

This coming Wednesday Dr David Harries, a physician leader at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, will speaking on ageing concerns.