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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.
Revd Anne Brown and the Bishop of Hertford,
with Richard Watson and Colin Smith
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.
The Bishop of St Albans and Lord Griffiths
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Since 2003 activities between the two churches have included:
- Shared covenant, Aldersgate, Remembrance, Mothering Sunday and Palm Sunday services.
- Shared Good Friday services and a Songs of Praise service at the East Barnet Festival with East Barnet Baptist Church
- Joint teaching courses and study groups
- Shared Advent and Pentecost children’s events
- Shared preparation for admitting children to Holy Communion
- Shared confirmation/membership group
- Distribution of Christmas beer mats advertising services
- Exploration of possibilities of joint youth work
- Joint memorial service for the bereaved
- Shared use of buildings
- Plans to highlight the issue of sex trafficking
- Exploration of joint link with Anglican and Methodist churches in the Caribbean.
In October 2007 Richard Watson and Colin Smith were invited to make a presentation on their work in East Barnet to the national dialogue team between the Episcopal Church of the USA and the American United Methodist Church. Afterwards the Methodist Bishop, William Oden, wrote: “The time we had with you at Limehouse in October was both informative and inspirational. The work you are doing in East Barnet is a significant sign of the essence of faithful ecumenism.”
Colin Smith and Richard Watson meeting the Bishop of Montana,
Bishop William Oden and other American Methodists and Anglicans
Whilst not part of the formal partnership, St Mary’s Church of England primary school is an area of ecumenical co-operation. The Revd Colin Smith chairs the governing body and shares in leading school worship with the Rector. A Methodist layman is also Vice-Chair and a member of East Barnet Baptist Church serves on the governing body.
St Mary’s School Junior Christmas production at Brookside 2007
Some guests at the celebratory lunch at St Mary's School"
