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© 1999-
Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW
The BBC Religious Calendar can be found here
www.chaplancs.org.uk
Lancaster University
Chaplaincy Centre
Tel 01524 594071
Email admin[a]chaplancs.org.uk (replace [a] with @)
covenant
The chaplains’ team (consisting of resident Christian chaplains) at Lancaster University see our work together as a contribution towards greater unity between the Churches as well as an expression of that unity which is already present in Christ. The resident chaplains and their sponsoring bodies, the Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches, are committed to the covenanted relationship described below.
Whilst valuing our respective traditions, we recognise the necessity and efficacy of working as a close ecumenical team. Indeed, we acknowledge that our Christian Faith challenges us to celebrate and nurture a unity which transcends difference. To that end, it is with conviction that we commit to working together in the following:
¨ Shared prayer
¨ Regular meetings to evaluate and plan our activities
¨ Social time to foster the sense of community and celebrate efforts and achievements
¨ Respecting the individual talents and aspirations of each member of the team
¨ Regular, approved joint worship in the Chaplaincy Centre
¨ Honouring the rich and distinctive traditions of our respective denominations
¨ Pastoral care of students and staff
¨ Sharing the financial costs of Chaplaincy work
¨ A ministry of presence and involvement in the University community at large
¨ Joint prophetic witness in and to the University
¨ Fostering a genuinely ecumenical Christian community
¨ Encouraging dialogue and shared activities between all faiths on campus
¨ Co-
¨ Affirming University staff and structures in word and through practical support
¨ Working as a team in ways which are appropriate, wherever this is called for
¨ Integration of our work with that of non-
Upholding the philosophy and practice of our shared work will require that future appointments, innovations or changes are made in the light of this covenant.
The Church leaders undertake to ensure that:
In the case of appointments that, at a minimum, there would always be consultation in the process of appointing new chaplains, lay and ordained. Different churches have varying ways of appointing chaplains, and leaders or their representatives must be permitted to exercise legitimate control of the process. However, consultation over new appointments would always be a part of the process in one form or another, and newly appointed chaplains will always be required to be supportive of this covenant, signing it when commissioned.
Where innovations are considered, that these always be in the spirit of this covenant and made in consultation with the chaplains’ team.
In the case of funding of Chaplaincy, that there is openness with denominational chaplains first and secondarily with the team as a whole, from as early a time and in as full a way as possible whenever there is a possibility of financial cuts which would affect staffing or any other part of one denomination’s contribution to Chaplaincy. Feedback from the team would be considered in the decision making process.
This covenant was agreed on 13th May 2002 by:
Church Leaders:
Chaplains:
Mrs. Gill Atkinson, Methodist Chaplain
Reverend Kevin Huggett, Anglican Chaplain
Reverend Hedley Cousin, Methodist Chaplain
Father Steve Pearson, Catholic Chaplain
Mr. Stephen Hoyland, Roman Catholic Chaplain
Mr. Paul Stanaway, Anglican Chaplaincy Assistant