Anglicans and Methodists to Share Clergy and Services
October 8, 2012 9 Comments
In a unique Church agreement signed in Yorkshire.
A Groundbreaking partnership between two religious denominations has been inaugurated in North Yorkshire.
The agreement between the Ripon and Leeds Anglican Diocese, which covers a large part of the region, and the Leeds Methodist District will mean more sharing of clergy and services and both churches working together to support their “ministry and mission”.
The Covenant Area Partnership is the first of its kind in the UK and will see greater consultation and co-operation between 85 Anglican parishes and 65 Methodist churches.
The agreement was signed at a celebration at Trinity Methodist Church, in Harrogate, on Saturday.
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Rev John Packer, said: “This marks an important step for the diocese and the Leeds Methodist Church and will encourage us to strive for closer.
About Fr Stephen Smuts
This is Good news. Here in Canada we have shared ministry between the Anglican Church of Canada and the the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada.In our Diocese of Qu Appelle we have an agreement of cooperation to work together with the Roman catholic Archdiocese of Regina to work together in areas where we can cooperate with one another. We also share in services of worship (other than the Eucharist for now at any rate) where possible on a regular (quarterly) basis.This may not be ideal but it is a step in the right direction towards achieving that unity which God desires from all His people.
It is Our Lord’s will “that we may be one…” Let’s hope that we can continue to work to achieve this. “The Church’s one Foundation is Jesus Christ Her Lord”
“We have a Gospel to proclaim!” Let’s do it together !
This is lovely..lets see Protestants unite.
With some Roman Catholic cooperation, or did you miss that? I know its hard for you to believe that there are some Protestants and Catholics that get along, and somewhat respect each others theological differences. We call this ecumenism. And like anything else we must seek a balance therein, it is surely needed that different Christians should seek some ground of cooperation and understanding. Note the text btw, of Psalm 133!
Btw, just a point, but the doctrine of the Local Church (noting the churches of Asia Minor in Rev. 2-3) is simply lost in catholicism, generally. Truely the doctrine of the Local Church has always been the strength of Protestantism!
Fr Robert I feel you are looking through rose coloured specs. The parish is the catholic church. There is little left of “protestant” parishes in England and this is an attempt of the good old CoE to get its fingers on Methodist assets
No Joe, just historically! I am 63 late this month, and I have seen lots of changes over the many years. Indeed from the top (ecclesiastically), the CoE is almost totally apostate, as perhaps the Methodist Church (England at least). But, God does have and know HIS people, wherever they are (2 Tim. 2:19).
Isn’t it the other way around , Joe?
The Methodists have money and probably some assets, but isn’t the C of E is somewhat ‘cash-strapped’? With respect Sir, are we not being a little cynical here? We need to remember that John Wesley was a validly ordained Anglican priest. It was the Anglican church which forced him out into the villages and towns , preaching as he did in the fields and on the village greens of England and for him Wesley therefore to regard “the world” as his parish.
This partnership, as I see it, is not a proposed ‘union ‘ of the two churches, but merely an agreement between the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds and the Leeds Methodist district to work together.Some years ago a proposal for cooperation in ministry between the Methodists and Anglicans in England was put forward, but little up to now has come of it.
Is this agreement not an opportunity to bring together the people of God ?
There are still Anglicans within the World-wide Anglican communion who are not in agreement with what is happening in the life of the church in these troubled times.
Some chose to stay within the communion and fight.
Others chose to leave and become ‘continuers’,whilst others have accepted the Holy father’s generous offer to join the Ordinariate, and have done so.
I am saddened at the fact that there will be no Ordinariate in South Africa; the TAC under
+ Michael Gill, for whatever reason, and with the apparent blessing and co-operation of Archbishop Daniel, the former RC bishop of Pretoria,has stated clearly that “there will be no Ordinariate in South Africa”. Many Anglicans in the former CPSA and indeed the TAC would probably welcome the establishment of the Ordinariate in South Africa, but now it would seem that this will not become a reality.Why, I am not sure.
With the local methodists in Leeds and the Diocece of Ripon and Leeds agreeing to co-operate and share ministry, is this not a step in the right direction to bring God’s people together, “that they may be one”?
I have been living outside of South Africa for 12 years now and I am a little out of touch with the Anglican church on both sides of the divide (TAC and the ACSA).
We are called by Our Lord to witness for Him. Surely steps towards genuine unity of Christian people, of which the Leeds and Rippon Diocese and the Methodist district of Leeds have begun is a step that should be welcomed and encouraged.
When I was in England there were some Methodists that still loved the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, and their Anglican ethos and certain theology, evangelical. Sadly it is leaner today I am afraid, noting the many that seem to hate, and speak lies about modern Israel!
This is wonderful. With their partnership both religious organization can support and work together with respect to individuals differences. – http://www.northtexaschaplains.com/