CTE Enabling Group, September 2011

Image by Catholic Church (England and Wales) via Flickr

Vincent Nichols

Today Churches Together in England's Enabling Group meets for one of its twice yearly meetings.  Enabling Group's role is to reflect upon the progress of ecumenical relationships in England.  It is 'a key level of governance because it is where all the churches, which are members of the organisation, are able to be represented.  (It) also includes representatives of the Intermediate Bodies, representatives of the Bodies in Association and of the Forum.'  (See CTE's websites for definitions of these terms.)

Highlights on the agenda this time include:

1. The Church and the Olympics, a session with Dave Wilson, eho is the CEO of More Than Gold.
2. The Intermediate Body Review, a session led by Revd Bill Snelson, who wrote the review.
3. There will be a session with two of CTE's Presidents, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols (Roman Catholic Church) and the Revd Michael Heaney (newly elected Moderator of the free churches group).
4. It also seems likely a report from a consultation in March 2010 will be discussed.  The consultation, Mission Shaped and Ecumenical,  was organised by CTE and consisted of Missioners and Ecumenists in Conversation.  I hope to cover this in more detail in the near future.

CTE Bodies in Association

Image by only_point_five via Flickr

Churches Together in England has Bodies in Association.  These are Christian organisations who work in particular areas of concern, mission or study. They are naturally ecumenical and exist outside the structures of the churches.  The Bodies in Association meet together twice each year, to share something of their activities. Details of current Bodies in Association and how to register a Christian organisation can be found on the CTE website.

CTE has recently (June 2011) published a report of the activities of some of its Bodies in Association.   The list here is of the organisations in the report and the links are to articles in Methodist Ecumenical News or their websites.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

CHURCHES FOR ALL

CORRYMEELA COMMUNITY GB

FOCOLARE

SOCIETY FOR ECUMENICAL STUDIES

IONA COMMUNITY

HOUSING JUSTICE

ACTION BY CHRISTIANS AGAINST TORTURE

OIKOCREDIT
FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION (England)
INTERNATIONAL ECUMENICAL FELLOWSHIP
ECUMENICAL SOCIETY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

ECUMENICAL COUNCIL FOR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

I am currently reviewing the ecumenical section of the Methodist Church website.   The page Ecumenical Collaboration, covers some of these organisations and other similar organisations.  I' m happy to include details of other appropriate organisations on this page.  Drop me a comment if you have a suggestion.