Traditional dividing lines between churches and chapels in Wales
could soon be a thing of the past after a major meeting of five
denominations.
Representatives of the five Covenanted Churches in Wales - the
Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, the Presbyterian Church in
Wales, the Church in Wales and some Covenanted Baptist congregations -
are meeting in Aberystwyth to explore radical new ways of working
together.
Proposals on the agenda include a new kind of bishop and a single
"United Church for Wales", in which there would be an interchange of
ordained ministries by those with church or chapel backgrounds.
The proposals are outlined in reports to be presented at the
conference and taken away by representatives for further consideration
within their denominations.
After a period of deliberation, the Churches will respond to the recommendations at a later date.
The meeting, called The Gathering, is being joined by the General
Secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
Rev Gethin Abraham-Williams, Chair of the Commission of Covenanted
Churches, said: “Four decades ago, five of the leading Christian
traditions of Wales embarked on a path towards presenting a united
witness to the Gospel. They made a solemn covenant before God and with one another in order
that they might be brought into one visible Church to serve together in
mission to the glory of God. At The Gathering, those churches will reassess their progress in
achieving those goals. The Gathering will also be an occasion to wait
again upon the Holy Spirit for the moment that will ‘create out of their
separated lives a new ecclesial community committed to common mission
in the world'.”
The day will close with the sharing of bread and wine using a brand new order for Holy Communion.