Covenant between Bread of Life, St. Philip and Eastside

Preamble

Rejoicing in the beauty and worth of our three traditions; recognizing that all Christian churches are part of the one, holy, catholic church; and responding to the gift of unity given to us, we the people of Bread of Life Lutheran, Eastside United, and St. Philip Anglican enter into this ecumenical covenant as part of our collective journey of faith.

I – Mission Statement of the Shared Ministry

In response to the call of Christ to be a witness in our communities, and in the world, we have adopted the following Mission Statement:

            We are called to embody God’s love in our unity and our diversity.

II – Identity of the Shared Ministry

We are a community of three Christian congregations. We have come together, with the blessing of our respective denominational authorities, to share human and spiritual resources, and physical facilities, while maintaining our distinct identities. With this covenant, each congregation pledges its support, respect, and continued cooperation, one to the other.

III – Nature of the Shared Ministry

A. Each of the three congregations has traditions, denominational ties, relationships and organizational structures it wishes to maintain. The governing body of each congregation is responsible for its programs, yet the congregations may work cooperatively in areas of mutual concern.

B. Each congregation will engage the services of it own clergy, although any combination of congregations may share pastoral services. Before engaging the services of a new clergyperson, a congregation shall consult with its partners in shared ministry, and shall ensure that the new clergy support the principles of this covenant, and recognize the search for Christian unity as a high priority.

C. The clergy (and/or designated lay leaders) of the three congregations shall meet regularly to share information about their respective congregations and to coordinate the work of the shared ministry.

D. Each congregation shall continue to relate to its wider church body according to the policies and practices of that denomination.

E. The Living Spirit Centre shall remain in consultation with the appropriate officials from all three church bodies.

IV – The Living Spirit Centre Council

The members of the Living Spirit Centre agree to be governed by the Living Spirit Centre Council in matters common to the shared ministry.

A. Membership:

The Council shall consist of a minimum of twelve people: the clergy of each congregation and three lay people appointed by each congregation for alternating two-year terms.  Only one clergy from each congregation shall be entitled to cast a vote.

B. Executive

The Council shall select its own officers: a chair, a vice-chair, a secretary and a financial officer.  All three congregations shall be represented on the executive.  Officers shall serve one-year terms, The clergy of the congregations are not eligible for election as officers.

C. Role and Authority

      The Living Spirit Centre Council shall:

1. Review the vision and direction of the shared ministry.
2. Oversee the work of the shared ministry, including the work of any joint committees.
3. Recommend seasonal or permanent changes, in times of worship, to the governing bodies of all three congregations. The worship times shall be set to meet the needs of all three congregations, as far as is possible.
4. Report matters discussed at its meetings to the governing bodies of the three congregations.
5. Review the joint ownership agreement and the covenant of Living Spirit Centre annually.
6. Have no direct authority in theological or denominational matters, except as the Spirit moves us to listen, respond to, and be changed by one another in this, and all our relationships.
7. Have authority in matters of a financial nature as specified in the Joint Ownership Agreement.

D. The Conduct of Business

1. The Council shall meet quarterly.  Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the request of at least three members. A quorum of six members must be present at all meetings, including two representatives from each congregation. 
2. The business of the Council shall be conducted in a spirit of openness and cooperation.  The aim is to reach decisions by consensus. 
3. In general, meetings of the Council shall be open to members of Living Spirit Centre. The Council may hold a closed meeting if it sees fit. 

V – Standing Committees

The sharing of human and spiritual resources, and physical facilities, can only be accomplished through open communication among the people of Living Spirit Centre. This covenant encourages the establishment of standing committees in areas of mutual interest and concern. Standing committees shall report to the Living Spirit Centre Council for the purpose of coordination and maintaining communication.  The membership of standing committees shall consist of an equal number of lay people from each of the three congregations.

VII – Amendments

The governing bodies of any of the three congregations or the Living Spirit Centre Council may initiate amendments to this covenant.  The Living Spirit Centre Council will review proposed amendments. Those which have received approval will be forwarded to Annual or special meetings. Amendments require the approval of all three congregations.

VIII - Our Commitments to Each Other
In order to make our unity visible and to strengthen our joint witness, we pledge to work together in the following ways:

A. To encourage, in our public worship and private prayer, prayers for the unity of Christ’s church, for each other, and for persons marking special occasions.

B. To join in common worship, especially on occasions such as the celebration and renewal of this covenant.

C. To welcome members of all parishes as guests, at any and all worship services.

D. To welcome members of each parish as guests at meetings of the others’ governing bodies. Upon request, such guests would receive agendas and minutes. Any governing board may hold a closed meeting if it sees fit.

E. To facilitate communication among the congregations a joint quarterly newsletter may be published and by sharing information about each others’ programs in congregational publications and oral announcements.

F. To open educational programs of the three congregations to members of all three congregations, and to plan appropriate joint educational activities. 

We ask God’s blessing on our shared ministry that we may be faithful to this agreement, to God’s honour and glory.