Ecumenical Supporters
Ecumenical Supporters
Ecumenical Supporters
Local Ecumenical Partnerships are new ways of working together as Church to improve and increase our worship, to encourage others to worship with us, to act justly in the world and to spread the Kingdom through our prayer, love and action. Churches Together groups are groups of churches that unite, often to undertake joint ventures, either in matters of social concern or in matters of joint worship or social activity in their locality. We all need support sometimes. When we are working with structures and people's beliefs it is easy to get things wrong. This is all part of the process of learning and is outweighed by the richness of working together. However, if your LEP or Churches Together group wants a listening ear, or more prolonged assistance, we suggest you contact our LEP supporters. They may be able to help you or to point you to someone who can.
The Sponsoring Body of Swindon Churches Together consists of the regional Church Leaders from the major denominations (Bishops, Regional Chairs) and their local representatives. Its purpose is to care for, maintain and review Local Ecumenical Partnerships and Churches Together groups. Traditionally, there have been individuals designated as supporters for these ways of being Church. The new method of support is through consultants, who may work with the LEP (or Churches Together groups) for a certain length of time. They may also be available for one-off advice in their specialist areas, or for crisis support. They can also help after a review to find new ways of working.
The following are available to help:
Rev. Derek Collins, Methodist Ecumenical Officer. Tel. 01793 523810. Email: revdjc@fish.co.uk
Rev. Dick Gray, URC Ecumenical Officer.
Tel. 01666 860643 Email: dick643@yahoo.co.uk
There are also people who are specialists in a particular area of work and may be able to help.
How to use your supporters
You may contact any of the people named above to discuss your needs with them, and to see if they are available to assist with a particular issue involving your LEP or Churches Together group. You may want to consider how much time might be needed, or whether this is a one-off query. There are a number of specialists whose names are not given out publicly, but who may be able to help.
New LEP supporters
If you have been working on the Ecumenical scene for some time or have some specialist skill, such as personnel expertise, you may wish to offer yourself as an LEP Consultant. This will mean assisting a group other than the one in which you worship. We are always looking for new people, so please give your details to SCT.
Having a Review
Local Ecumenical Partnerships and Churches Together groups are reviewed every five to seven years.
Working across the churches brings new joys and new challenges. Please contact us for further information on the support available.