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ADVICE FROM THE ECUMENICAL COMMITTEE
Some questions to ask yourself.
1. Does it seem right to worship in and commit myself to the church in the community where I live?
2. Am I prepared to commit myself wholeheartedly and worship as an Anglican? Under new regulations you may, as a member in good standing with the United Reformed Church and as a regular worshipper in the local Anglican church, declare yourself also a member of the Church of England. You may then serve on the Parochial Church Council and, in theory, be able to be a representative on Deanery and Diocesan Synods and General Synod. If you are a nationally accredited United Reformed Church lay preacher it is possible for you to be licensed, by the bishop in whose diocese you are, to preach in your local area.
However, there are supplementary questions you need to ask yourself.
a. Do you feel a sense of belonging within the life of the parish church as it now stands, with regard to its worship, its preaching, its study life, and its role within the life of the community?
b. If not, what hope is there that within a reasonable time span your active involvement might make a difference, either to the church or to your own attitudes and feelings?
c. Do you believe that the Reformed emphasis on the constant reformation of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Scriptures, and the aspects of church life which you bring from your own experience and tradition, can be set alongside the qualities which already exist in the local parish church in a positive and constructive way?
d. What is the incumbent’s attitude to ecumenical co-operation and is she/he willing to do what is possible within Canon Law? What is the attitude of the diocesan bishop to ecumenical co-operation? This is important as so many decisions are inspired by the bishop and the local priest, although the local Parochial Church Council has a growing influence.
At some point, depending on the local vicar or priest, you may be challenged to make the full commitment to the Church of England and be confirmed.
3. Should I continue, at the same time, to maintain my membership in the nearest United Reformed Church - and how easy is that journey?
Some supplementary questions follow.
a. How often could you worship there - is less than once or twice a month being true to our understanding of membership? Church Meeting and the possibility of being an elder must also be considered.
b. Money - would you split your giving between the two?
If you retain this membership in a meaningful way then you can, at least in theory, be a member of District Council/Provincial Synod/General Assembly and one of the Assembly committees.
United Reformed Church links can also be maintained by subscribing to the Information Service, becoming a Friend of FURY (Fellowship of United Reformed Youth), subscribing to Reform, SPIN (Sharing People in Network), Windows (from the Silence and Retreats Group) and the Prayer Handbook, and attending Window on the World or the Holiday Forum etc.
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