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A Covenant between the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the Church of England was signed on 1 November 2003. The Church of England and the Methodist Church of Great Britain entered their covenant commitment after conversations lasting several years. How did the Covenant come about? At its meeting in June 2002, the British Methodist Conference voted by a very substantial majority to seek the opinion of each District Synod and Circuit Meeting on the proposals in An Anglican-Methodist Covenant. At its meeting in July 2002, the Church of England General Synod voted by a very substanital majority to commend the proposed Anglican-Methodist Covenant to its dioceses for discussion. The Methodist Conference and the General Synod, both meeting in July 2003, received the opinions gathered from around the two Churches and both decided to go forward to sign the Covenant.
The ceremony continued at Westminster Abbey with a short service of thanksgiving and dedication. Sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Central Hall Sermon by the President of the Methodist Conference in Westminster Abbey What is the Covenant? The Covenant puts the two Churches on a path of ever deepening relationships and mutual trust and co-operation on the road to a richer unity involving all who call themselves Christ's disciples. Read the text of an Anglican-Methodist Covenant The Joint Implementation Commission (JIC) The Methodist Conference and the Synod of the Church of England agreed to set up a joint commission which would have the task of monitoring and promoting the implementation of the Covenant.
The JIC is appointed for five years at a time. The first Commission, from 2003-2008 was chaired by Professor Peter Howdle, ex Vice-President of Conference, on behalf of the Methodist Church; and the late Reverend Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough on behalf of the Church of England. The second Commission, from 2008-2012 is chaired by Professor Peter Howdle and The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry. Embracing the Covenant There were two previous reports of the JIC: This web site... is sponsored by the Joint Implementation Commission set up by the two Churches following the signing of the Covenant.
It is offered as a resource for local churches and individuals as together we work out what God requires of us as Gospel people in the world today. As well as information, background papers, and a toolkit of ideas, the site provides the opportunity for you to add stories of covenant living in your locality and to debate the issues that are still slowing our journey towards a deeper unity |
On 1 November 2003, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the General Secretary of the General Synod , together with the President, Vice President and Secretary of the Methodist Conference signed the Covenant at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, in the presence of the Queen.
