The Ecumenical Community Church + Catholic
'Ecumenical' means of worldwide scope; universal and of (or relating to) the worldwide Christian Church, concerned with establishing or promoting unity among all Christians.
'Catholic' means universally Christian, in the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
"We are all on the same journey, it is just that some of us are travelling on a different bus ..."
... quoted to Nicola recently by a Roman Catholic Priest.
How we got here.
A religious revolution in the 1960's, born out of the 19th Century 'Old' Catholic Church of the Netherlands, caused a spiritual resurgence that created a new movement of self-governing Churches of the Apostolic Succession. We are the generation after, Universal Catholic-Christians who operate within a structured environment, not governed by Rome or Lambeth.
Why we chose this path to discipleship.
Many of us chose the smaller Church route to Ministry because we were either Roman Catholic married men and women or older people with financial responsibilities that prevented us from returning to full time studies. For some of us, both applied. We have studied Theology and Christian Ministry and Mission as mature adults, although Reverend Paul achieved his Diploma in Theology as a younger man. All of us have professional and/or Higher Education qualifications and most of us have worked in Public Service as Lawyers, Teachers; Police Officers and Health Care Professionals.
Who we work with.
We enjoy a good relationship other reformed traditions. Christians working together is the only way forward for us to perpetuate Christianity therefore we must encourage one another's ministries. This is not a fight for popularity - it is a need to keep Christianity alive. The ECC+C are generating new Christians from otherwise indifferent groups of people and we also are encouraging people to rekindle their faith. Our way will not suit everyone, but it does suit many; and that cannot be ignored. The more varied the availability of community discipleship and worship is, the more it will attract different, and indeed indifferent, social groups.
For a more detailed definition of Ecumenism please Click here
We strive to be accessible and down to earth as a people-orientated, post-modern Church.
In 1932 the Convocation of Canterbury established 'intercommunion' between the Church of England and the Old Catholic Churches on the terms of the Bonn Agreement of the previous year. The Lambeth Resolutions highlight the background to some of the problems we all have even today with small pockets of the Anglican Communion and are well worth a read.
Please click below:
You may have noticed that we have a woman bishop. We are not the first Church in England to have one and we certainly will not be the last. Ironically it is the Church of England who cannot quite get there! However ... with the help of God; they will.
Female Ministers In The News