South Coventry Churches - Declaration

Declaration by

- KINGS CHURCH
- QUINTON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
- ST. THOMAS MORE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
- WEST ORCHARD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
- WOODSIDE AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH

And the Anglican Parishes of
- CHRIST CHURCH, CHEYLESMORE
- ST. JAMES, STYVECHALE
- ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS, FINHAM

WE THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCHES named above,
unite in PROCLAIMING OUR FAITH in the one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we:

CONFESS that our faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of the world has made us members of His Body in which we are called to serve Him in obedience.

ACCEPT that the Word of God is set out in Holy Scripture.

RECOGNISE that our divisions hinder a fuller and more joyous response to our calling and repent of all that is sinful in them.

THANK GOD for what He has already given us
- acts of united worship and witness
- involvement in groups for sharing and studying our faith
- mutual acceptance of the ministers of our various churches, in
- preaching and leadership, in so far as our respective discipline will allow.
- co-operation in projects of Christian service (such as support for Christian Aid).

WE DECLARE OUR INTENT to work together in this area for the realisation of the ultimate unity of Christ's people. We do not know what form that unity may eventually take, or when, but we believe that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be led into a fuller understanding of the unity which is Christ's will for His people.

WE NOW UNDERTAKE to:
- increase our mutual respect and acceptance of one another
- provide opportunities to learn and value the spiritual traditions of all the churches, by sharing in each other's worship and in united services, whilst respecting the disciplines of each church
-pray and study together
-co-operate in Christian witness and service within the community
-consider together wider concerns, both social and moral
-explore opportunities that arise to seek together the will of Christ
-seek for effective decision-making, enabling the churches to act together in areas that have been agreed upon as appropriate for joint action.
-carry out a review of this Declaration after three years.

IN DECLARING OUR INTENT
We commend each other to the Grace of our Lord Jesus signed on behalf of the people of the churches.

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