J3 Ecumenical Structures in the Synod

1          Ecumenical activity is a priority for all parts of the United Reformed Church – local churches, Areas, Synods and Assembly.   The Synod Moderator meets and works with other church leaders in the region.   The County Ecumenical Officers are invited to be members of the Synod and denominational representatives to the Area Meetings.  Ecumenical relationships are a major purpose in Cumbriathrough Churches together in Cumbriaand the URC Area relates closely to the Methodist District and the Church of England diocese of Carlisle.    The Lancashire Area similarly relates to the area of Churches Together in Lancashire, the diocese of Blackburnand the Methodist District.   The Central Area is similar to the Methodist Bolton and Rochdale District and includes much of the Church of England diocese of Manchester.    The South Area relates to the Methodist Manchester and Stockport District and includes part of the dioceses of Manchester and Chester as well as a small area of Derby diocese.    The Central and South Areas participate in Greater Manchester Churches Together.  The Synod relates to the Roman Catholic dioceses of Lancaster, Salford and Shrewsbury. 

Area Ecumenical Officers

2          Churches wishing guidance on any ecumenical matter, including the formation of a Local Ecumenical Partnership, should consult their Area Ecumenical Officer, whose contact details are in the Synod Handbook. 

3          The tasks of the Area Ecumenical Officer are:

1. to have an awareness of ecumenical concerns and developments nationally, regionally    and locally and to build up an ecumenical resources for the benefit of the Area;
2. to advise local churches on ecumenical matters and to be available to them as a   consultant when ecumenical developments are planned;
3. to liaise on behalf of the Area Pastoral Committee with local churches about Local             Ecumenical Partnerships and Covenant relationships;
4. to raise ecumenical concerns with the Area Pastoral Committee and to share        information about ecumenical matters;
5. to stimulate ecumenical initiatives at local church and Area levels and to alert the Pastoral Committee to ecumenical opportunities when ministerial or mission strategies        and being planned;
6. to relate to the County Ecumenical Bodies and the Ecumenical Officers, whose territory   includes the Area concerned and to ensure communication with them.

 4          The Area Ecumenical Officers relate to theCountyBodiesas follows:

a.        Cumbria:         Churches Together inCumbria;

b.         Lancashire:     Churches Together inLancashire;

c.         Central:           Greater Manchester Churches Together;

d.         South:                  Greater Manchester Churches Together;

and informally with ecumenical bodies in Derbyshire andCheshire.

 Covenants for Unity

5          The United Reformed Church is committed to the search for Christian Unity.  One way of pursuing the search is to inaugurate a Local Covenant for Unity which may then be recognised as a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) under the auspices of Churches Together inEngland.

 6          A local Covenant is a significant mutual commitment under God between congregations, local churches and parishes in a particular locality.  It draws from a powerful biblical concept and, like marriage, should not be entered into lightly.   A significant depth of relationship and united activity is possible through a local Churches Together or Council of Churches.  Those thinking about a local

 Covenant should consider carefully whether they are ready to take this further step of commitment.

 7          The business of developing a local Covenant is that of all God’s people in the churches involved and not only the work of ministers and a few keen people.   This implies discussion, prayer and action within and between churches.

 8          A local Covenant is of such significance that it cannot be a matter of purely local concern.   Approval must be sought from the appropriate authorities to ensure proper denominational support.  The denominational Area Ecumenical Officer should be consulted and also the County Ecumenical Officer (contact details in the Synod Handbook)

 9          A local Covenant may be granted the status of a Local Ecumenical Partnership.   The appointed County Sponsoring Body assesses each application according to the following criteria:

a.         there should be a formal acceptance of the Covenant by each of the congregations          involved, so that all their praying and decision-making are done with an awareness of           each other;

b.         there should be a commitment among the leaders of the congregation (lay and      ordained) to meet regularly for prayer and consultation.  In some Covenants this         happens once a week for prayer and once a month for consultation;

c.         there should be a clear indication of and commitment to the aims and objectives of the     Covenant.   These should include areas of mission, ministry, worship, mutual care, etc.            which are to be the starting points for the united working out of the Covenant.   From    time to time the County Sponsoring Body will help those involve to review and evaluate            the Covenant with reference to these objectives;

d.         there should be a constitution which includes procedures for joint decision-making,            areas of responsibility, etc;

e.         there should be acceptance by the constituent denominations (locally and more widely)    that the appointment of ministers and other workers will only be made after ecumenical     consultation;

f.          nothing should be required of congregations within a local Covenant which infringes the    disciplines of the parent denominations (unless these disciplines are relaxed through   LEP status);

g.         the test of the Covenant and the constitution must be approved by the constituent             denomination – in our case by the Synod;

h.         in future, those people responsible for overseeing the negotiation process of forming         an LEP are asked to ensure that a copy of all the “finally agreed” documents are          submitted to the Synod Office for information and future reference.  For information the          Sharing Agreement is normally drawn up by the solicitors of the lead denomination and          drafts are circulated between solicitors acting for each denomination, and so can be traced and copies made.

 To assist Synod in its dealings with and on behalf of the LEP it is helpful that all parties hold a copy of the Settlement Agreement and the Constitution.   Apart from any copies lodged with Sponsoring Bodies and so on, each church involved in an LEP ought to have a copy of both documents held.

 Ideally it is desirable that copies of both the Settlement Agreement and Constitution are held, (i) at local church, (ii) at the Synod Office, (iii) at the equivalent office of the other participant denominations and (iv) the Sponsoring Body.