URC and Methodist Church look to increase joint working

Representatives of the United Reformed and Methodist Churches have met to discuss the possibility of working more closely together.

The second joint meeting of the URC's Mission Council and the Methodist Council was held in Sutton Coldfield this week.

The discussions covered the relationship between the two Churches and challenges to greater unity at a local as well as national level.

They explored the idea of closer collaboration in the areas of children and youth work, and property, which was first suggested in the last meeting held in 2010.

“I feel that we’ve arrived at a new place,” said the Reverend Roberta Rominger, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church.

”I hope we can now start to engage in the kind of fundamental thinking that will enable us to overcome the practical difficulties our united congregations face, particularly when they seek new ministry.”

The URC and Methodist Church already work together in several areas, notably in political engagement through their Joint Public Issues Team which also includes members of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

“It’s been wonderful to have a time of learning and fellowship together,” added the Reverend Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church.

“We have learnt so much about our similarities and differences. There is clearly a great deal of good will between our two Churches and the desire to explore what closer partnerships in God’s mission might mean for us today.”