15 November 2011
Cumbria Becomes First Ecumenical County in England
On Sunday 27th November 2011 at 3pm Church leaders from the
Methodist, United Reformed and Anglican Churches in Cumbria will
sign an historic ecumenical Declaration of Intent.
Supported by the other five main Christian denominations in Cumbria
(Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Baptist, Quaker and Church of
Scotland) this declaration will mean that Cumbria becomes the first
ecumenical county in England with churches agreeing on a
county-level to work more closely together for the sake of
unity.
Building on a shared faith, the Declaration affirms the common
goals of the three churches: "We believe that we are being called
by God to realise more deeply our common life and mission, to share
and respect the distinctive contributions of our traditions, and to
bring about closer collaboration in all areas of witness and
service." The Declaration goes on to commit these three
churches:
a. "to seek out every possible opportunity for joint initiatives at
Local and County Level in mission to all the people of Cumbria. b.
to work together to equip both lay and ordained ministry whenever
possible, and to share that ministry wherever appropriate. c. to
continue the work of developing strategies whereby we optimise the
use of our church buildings for the benefit of communities
throughout the county."
The service in Ambleside on 27th November will be attended by
Church Leaders from all 8 denominations in Cumbria, and by
representatives from the national churches involved. A message of
support from the General Secretary of the World Council of
Churches, Dr. Fykse Tveit, will be relayed during the
service.
This will be a time for celebration, dedication and commitment for
all believers in Cumbria and beyond.
The Declaration will be signed by the Church Leaders of the three
denominations involved:
Rev. Richard Church, Moderator of the North West Synod of the
United Reformed Church said: "The United Reformed Church has always
been passionate about the visible unity of the Church. We are so
encouraged that in Cumbria this dream is being brought closer to
accomplished reality."
Rev. Richard Teal, Chair of Cumbria Methodist District said: ''I am
delighted that we are signing the Declaration of Intent. It is a
result of vision, hard work, prayer, trust and openness. It is now
important that we do not just sign it but ensure its far reaching
implications become a reality."
Rt. Rev. James Newcome, Anglican Bishop of Carlisle said: "I am
personally thrilled that we are taking a significant step towards
an Ecumenical County and highly delighted that our 'Declaration of
Intent' was unanimously welcomed by Carlisle Diocesan Synod!"