East Barnet Methodist/Anglican Partnership
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East Barnet Anglican Methodist Partnership
In November 2003 the Revd Richard Watson, Rector of East Barnet, and the Revd Colin Smith, Methodist minister in East Barnet, attended the signing of the national covenant between the Methodist Church and the Church of England at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster in the presence of HM The Queen, who happens to be patron of the living of St Mary’s. Afterwards they resolved to work together locally and to work towards implementing the covenant locally For more information about the national covenant between the two churches – www.anglican-methodist.org.uk.
In January 2005 the Bishop of Hertford (the Rt Revd Christopher Foster) and the then Methodist district chair (the Revd Anne Brown) came to a joint covenant service at St Mary’s to mark Richard’s authorisation by the President of the Methodist Conference to serve as a Methodist minister and Colin being given permission by the Bishop of St Albans to lead worship at St Mary’s under Canon B43. The two ministers are styled as ‘Honorary Associate Minister’ in the other church.
L-R Revd Colin Smith, Revd Anne Brown, Rt Revd Christopher Foster and Revd Richard Watson
On 3rd February 2008 a legal partnership formed between the two churches for mission and ministry. It was launched at the morning service at Brookside Methodist church at 10.45am when the Bishop of St Albans (the Rt. Revd Christopher Herbert) preached and the Methodist district chair (the Revd Dr Stuart Jordan) took part. The Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet was present and a choir from St Mary’s School sang. In the evening of 3rd February at 6pm, a candlelit procession left the Methodist church and made its way to St Mary’s church to celebrate the feast of Candlemas. The Revd The Lord Griffiths of Burry Port (Dr Leslie Griffiths) preached at the eucharist at 6.30pm. |
In January 2005 the Bishop of Hertford (the Rt Revd Christopher Foster) and the then Methodist district chair (the Revd Anne Brown) came to a joint covenant service at St Mary’s to mark Richard’s authorisation by the President of the Methodist Conference to serve as a Methodist minister and Colin being given permission by the Bishop of St Albans to lead worship at St Mary’s under Canon B43. The two ministers are styled as ‘Honorary Associate Minister’ in the other church.