Introduction

This page contains a copy of our Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment which was signed by the Leaders of Suffolk Churches Together on the 19th October 2004.
This document contains a brief outline of our history and a description of the structures by which this Church is governed.

CHRIST CHURCH
MORETON HALL

DECLARATION OF ECUMENICAL WELCOME AND COMMITMENT

July 2004

INTRODUCTION

In September 1992 a Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment was signed by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Provost of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the Vicar of St Mary’s, Bury St Edmunds.
It was replaced in 1996 by a second Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment that brought to completion the ecumenical and local processes outlined in the former declaration. It was signed by the General Superintendent of the Eastern Area of the Baptist Union, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Chairman of the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, Divisional Commander of the Eastern Area of the Salvation Army and the Moderator of the Eastern Province of the United Reformed Church. It was stated that the “agreement will be reviewed on or before seven years from the date of signing (i.e. on or before 31st December 2003)”.

This new Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome and Commitment is the outcome of that review and represents the position in 2004 and the hopes for the next seven years. It is based on the Declaration agreed by the House of Bishops “when the Anglican Church is the only Church in the village”.

DECLARATION OF ECUMENICAL WELCOME AND COMMITMENT BY A CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARISH

We, the Minister and people of Christ Church Moreton Hall invite all the Christians of Moreton Hall to be as fully a part of our life and fellowship as they are able.

We invite those of all Christian traditions who believe in the doctrine of the Trinity in so far as their own church allows

• To share in the ministry and mission of the church in this community
• To worship and, if baptized and communicant members of other churches,
  to receive Holy Communion at Christ Church
• To be part of the decision-making of the church and to contribute to a common fund for the mission and ministry of the wider church in so far as their continued giving to another church will allow

We undertake

• To give pastoral care to all those who desire it
• To invite ministers of other churches whose tradition permits to take part in leading worship
• To incorporate the riches of worship of other traditions as appropriate
• To share with neighbouring churches concerning the mission of the church on Moreton Hall
• To include this ecumenical declaration as an integral part of the parish profile

Following the decision made by Churches Together in Suffolk that such declarations may be made in the area which they serve, we have sought and followed their advice as to which churches should first be consulted, and those mentioned below have given us their blessing and encouragement.

Date: 19th October 2004

For Christ Church Moreton Hall:

• The Minister
• Church Wardens

REVIEW

This agreement and its annexes will be reviewed on or before seven years from the date of signing (on or before 19th October 2011)

For Churches Together in Suffolk

• The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
• Regional Minister of the Eastern Area of the Baptist Union
• Chair of the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church
• Divisional Commander of the Anglia Division of The Salvation Army
• Moderator of the Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church
• The Roman Catholic Bishop of East Anglia
• Moderator of Churches Together in Suffolk

For Local Churches in Bury St Edmunds

• Rural Dean of Thingoe
• Minister of Garland Street Baptist Church
• Superintendent Minister of Bury St Edmunds Methodist Circuit
• Commanding Officer, Bury St Edmunds Corps of the Salvation Army
• Minister of Bury St Edmunds United Reformed Church
• Parish Priest of St Edmunds Roman Catholic Church
• Chairman of Churches Together for Bury St Edmunds and District
• Chairman of Christ Church Moreton Hall Support Group

ANNEX 1 – HISTORY

The history of Christ Church, Moreton Hall, has been one of gradual development. Many factors have affected this development but there are six of over-riding importance which, if ignored, might damage the unique nature of this Church. They are as follows:-

1. Christ Church, Moreton Hall, was planted by a single group of Christians from
   different denominations at the instigation of the Council of Churches for Bury
   St Edmunds, with the consent of the vicar of St Mary’s. Separate groups of
   Christians did not gather together to form a new Church. It has always been
   envisaged that Christ Church, Moreton Hall, would be a single body working
   ecumenically in the clearly defined mission area of Moreton Hall estate.
2. Moreton Hall estate was designated a mission area by both Diocese and
   Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District and recognised as such
   by Churches Together in Suffolk. The local geography of the A14 bypass
   and the railway line make it a separate area from the rest of Bury St
   Edmunds. The Borough has designated Moreton Hall to be a new community
   Distinct and separate from the rest of Bury St Edmunds. That is why it is
   developing new community resources there. The concept of being a new
   mission Church is a powerful and unifying feature in the character and self
   understanding of the Church members.
3. The Church began in October 1983. A Church Army captain was appointed in 1987. A Conventional District was created in September 1990. A new
   building was completed in 1993 and dedicated on 17th April 1994.
4. On 1st July 1994, the Parish of Christ Church, Moreton Hall, was created
   from the parishes of St James’s, St Mary’s, Holy Innocents Great Barton,
   and St Mary’s Rougham.
5. St Edmundsbury Borough Council made land available on generous terms on
   the understanding that the building erected could be used by every Christian
   on the estate and that Anglican rites of passage will be performed there.
6. Following the construction of the Church, a church hall was added in 1997.

ANNEX 2 – PROPERTY

The Lease for the land is held by the Diocesan Board of Finance on behalf of Christ Church’s Church Council as custodial trustees and the Church Council are the administrative trustees of the buildings.

ANNEX 3 – ECUMENICAL COMMITMENT

Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District, Churches Together in Suffolk and the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich seek to ensure that the ecumenical work of Christ Church will not be diminished. To that end the following structures and pattern of ministry have been developed to establish a parish which is fully ecumenical in its work and witness. The Minister and Church Council aim to make members of other denominations feel part of the Christian community here in as far as their denomination’s rules permit, and as the Church of England’s Representation Rules allow.

The church, while remaining subject to the jurisdiction of the Church of England and guardian of its tradition, has a commitment towards those of other denominations which enables their insights, strengths, gifts and graces to be incorporated into the whole life of the congregation. That life will include worship, mission and service, as well as the administrative and decision-making process.

ANNEX 4 – WORSHIP

Christ Church Moreton Hall is especially aware of its responsibility to be broad, flexible and open, and to affirm a diversity of religious experience and expression. Breadth and openness is affirmed through:

• Choice of hymns, tunes and hymn books
• Prayers for other churches and their leaders
• Invitations to ministers of other traditions to participate in leading worship or preaching
• Occasional use of other denominations’ liturgies
• Occasional use of other practices of administering Holy Communion including a Roman Catholic priest to say Mass
• Careful use of language which includes and is not specific to one denomination

Infant baptism, believer’s baptism and infant dedication are offered. Confirmation will be offered as legislation allows. All in good standing with their own denomination are welcomed into fellowship.

ANNEX 5 – MISSION AND SERVICE

Pastoral care is available for all who desire it and live in the parish whether members of the church or not.

The Church seeks to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who live in the parish and joins with all churches of all denominations and other organisations in furthering the work of the Kingdom of God locally and worldwide.

ANNEX 6 – MISSION STATEMENT

Christ Church, Moreton Hall is a Christian Church that welcomes all people.

Knowing the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, we want to serve our community. We respond to God by learning to love Him through:

Relevant worship
Meaningful ministry
Genuine fellowship
Biblical teaching
And
Effective evangelism

ANNEX 7 – REPRESENTATION

The rules governing Electoral Rolls enable all baptised persons who are members in good standing of churches not in communion with the Church of England, which subscribe to the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity, to be enrolled on the electoral roll. Having been so enrolled they are entitled to serve if elected, or co-opted, on the Church Council^*. They can serve on any sub-committees the Church Council forms.
However, sensitivity will be shown to the requirements and disciplines of each denomination.

Two Church Wardens and the Council members are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The size of the Church Council is determined by existing legislation and local needs. In addition to the annual meeting there may be two other extra-ordinary meetings when all who attend the church can be consulted about any issues.

^*Church Council always refers to the Parochial Church Council.

ANNEX 8 – LOCAL ECUMENICAL AND PASTORAL SUPPORT

Local ecumenical and pastoral support will be provided by the Support Group. The Support Group will meet not less than twice a year. This group exists to make the ecumenical nature of the church visible and to give local support to it.

Its composition is:

• Chair person: who is nominated by the Executive Committee of Churches
  Together in Bury St Edmunds and District in consultation with the
  Minister.
• The Minister of Christ Church, Moreton Hall
• The two Church Wardens of Christ Church, Moreton Hall
• A Representative from Churches Together in Suffolk
• A Minute Secretary
• Representatives^* from the Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic and United
  Reformed Churches, the Salvation Army and Southgate L.E.P.

^*Representatives to be selected from each of the participating denominations of Churches
Together in Suffolk. These representatives are nominated by Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District from the local Churches and in consultation with them.

ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE SUPPORT GROUP

1. To monitor the general development of Christ Church, Moreton Hall, with
   particular reference to the ecumenical dimension.
2. To monitor the ecumenical relationship of Christ Church, Moreton Hall,
   with
   1. The other main denominations
   2. the local Churches
3. To ensure there is adequate pastoral support for the Minister

The Support Group’s present form and role will be reviewed every seven years. The next review will be by 31st December 2006 by the Church Council and in consultation with Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District. The Support Group aims to work with Churches Together in Suffolk to ensure that proper pastoral support and oversight at local, Diocesan and County levels take place.

ANNEX 9 – APPOINTMENT OF INCUMBENT

1. The appointment is in the hands of the Board of Patrons: they are the Diocesan Bishop, the Dean of St Edmundsbury and the Vicar of St Mary’s. By Canon,
   the Patrons are required to consult fully with their ecumenical partners. This
   should include advertising by the Support Group and Churches Together in
   Suffolk. A selection process should be agreed which allows consultation with
   the Support Group and with Churches Together in Suffolk.
2. Under Canon Law the Church Council appoints two representatives to
   interview the candidates whom the Patrons suggest. The Church Council will ensure that representation will reflect the ecumenical nature of this church.
   They have the right to refuse the appointment of any candidate the Patrons
   offer if they consider the candidate unsuitable. The successful candidate will need to have the unanimous recommendation of both these representatives.
3. This document and its successors will always be part of the parish profile.
4. It is hoped that representatives of Churches Together in Suffolk will attend
   the licensing and institution of all future staff.
5. Given the size of the estate and nature of the Church, it is hoped that in due
   course other denominations will provide stipendiary personnel, ordained or
   lay.