Working collaboratively and combining resources creates a powerful Christian presence in the community.
The mechanism for such a collaboration is already in place….
The Church of England and the Methodist Church have just celebrated the 21st Anniversary of “An Anglican Methodist Covenant”. We have a lot in common, but sometimes find it difficult to work together. When we do, it can be amazing, but our differences can keep us apart.
Both Anglicans and Methodists have local structures that bring congregations together for mutual support and shared mission. Circuits and Deaneries are similar in some ways, but very different in others.
In this Deanery Briefing we will hear from a Circuit Superintendent and a Deanery Lay Chair who will tell us how these bodies work. It will give us the opportunity to learn from each other and think about ways to harness the energy of the Circuit/Deanery partnership.
So what does this shared collaborative ministry look like ….
One such partnership is in Milton Keynes where establishing a successful working relationship has reaped rewards. David Thom, with a professional background in architecture, is the Deanery Lay Chair and is also a long-standing churchwarden in a large LEP. David will outline how their partnership with the local Methodist circuit came about and why it is successful.
We will also be joined by Steven Cooper and Tim Norwood – the respective Methodist and Church of England National Ecumenical Officers.
There will be opportunities for questions and discussion. It promises to be an interesting, informative and creative session!
This meeting is open to anyone involved in both Deaneries and Circuits. We hope that Methodists and Anglicans will learn from each other in this very ecumenical event.