The Covenant made between County and Regional Leaders and Representatives of Churches in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
We believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us into deeper unity, and that God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, is calling us to a greater sharing in our common mission to the world.
We rejoice in the partnership of trust which has grown among us as we have shared personally in worship, work and consultation over recent years.
We recognise that we have in common many other responsibilities, joys, problems and hopes, and that we have much to offer to and receive from each other in the rich diversity of our traditions, as we seek to serve our one Lord,
We undertake, wherever it is desirable and possible,
- to act together in mission, evangelism and issues of justice and peace and in relation to appointments, buildings and resources, for the sake of the Kingdom;
and in particular
We agree
- to meet together regularly to further the aims of this Covenant;
- to promote local co-operation and the setting up and supporting of Local Ecumenical Partnerships;
- to encourage and support the work of the local, regional and national bodies of Churches Together.
We invite congregations to support us in this Covenant to which we now commit ourselves, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Signed by:
The Bishop of Derby
The Bishop of Hallam
The Bishop of Nottingham
The Bishop of Repton
The Bishop of Sherwood
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham
The Regional Minister for East Midlands Baptist Association, the Baptist Union
The Chairman, Nottingham and Derby District, the Methodist Church
The Chairman, Sheffield District, the Methodist Church
The Divisional Commander, East Midlands Division, the Salvation Army
Moderator, East Midlands Synod, the United Reformed Church
This covenant was made many years ago by Church Leaders representing some of our local historic denominations:
In it they pledge themselves to mutual support and collaborative ways of working.
They put their names to it publicly each year in the course of a services attended by representatives of our interchurch work across the two counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and they invite the denominations they lead to follow their example of mutual commitment and cooperation wherever possible.