NWCT hosts the latest DEO committee
Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney (NWCT) hosted the latest Denominational Ecumenical Officer (DEO) committee meeting in Norwich's Anglican Cathedral
Each of the seven Christian denominations that make up NWCT has a DEO whose role is to represent their own churches on Church Unity. They are here to support ecumenical activities and advise on any specific denominational consideration that may arise. The DEOs meet formally in a committee convened by the County Ecumenical Officer three times a year. The current DEOs are:
At the latest meeting held on 28 February 2024 in Priors Hall at the Anglican Cathedral, the DEOs received an update from Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for NWCT and convenor of the committee. Of note, were the following points, he said:
“NWCT has approached the Orthodox church to join Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney. A positive response was received but the church is going through a reorganisation of ecumenical resources just now. Once complete they will identify a suitable person to progress matters.
“As the new CEO for NWCT, my focus has been putting in place an enhanced system of communication in partnership with Network Norfolk, creating a regular Enews communication and ecumenical update for NWCT, building relationships, visiting a number of LEPs/ local Churches Together groups, and attending Churches Together in England (CTE) training. I attended training at High Leigh and it was a joyful and inspiring event. To think about ecumenism and to worship with 31 other lay people and ministers, from many different Christian traditions but all focused on Church Unity, was both uplifting and energising. What was reassuring for me is that the national approach to ecumenism reflects our approach in NWCT; that is, we are very much focused on building relationships, friendship and trust rather than unnecessary bureaucracy, elaborate structures and complex constitutions. It is an approach very much in line with our concept of receptive ecumenism.
”We also have a national first in ecumenism for Norfolk and Waveney. Rev David Ely is the very first joint DEO in the country! He has been appointed DEO for both the Methodists and URC. This is a fantastic and innovative solution and I take my hat off to David for agreeing to undertake the role, and for the URC and Methodist church leaders in their support for the move. I am certain that with the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and in the fellowship of the Spirit, David will do a marvellous job.”
The DEO committee also thanked Laurette Burton for her eight years of voluntary and exemplary service as the Catholic DEO in Norfolk and Waveney - she has indicated her intent to step down to Bishop Peter and will relinquish her duties over the next few weeks. She will be sadly missed and we wish her well for the future.
The following was then discussed:
Draft Ecumenical Mission Statement for NWCT
Ian presented the latest draft (v.3). Once agreed by the NWCT Church leaders group, the intent is to publicly commit to the final ecumenical mission statement on Christ the King day, 24th November 2024 at 3.30pm in the Anglican Cathedral, Norwich. The sermon for the service will be given by the General Secretary of Churches Together in England, Bishop Mike, followed by a drinks reception. A copy of the latest draft is available here: Together in Christ, Bound by Love, Serving as One
The Norwich 'Chain of Prayer' in the international 'Week of Prayer for Church Unity'
The committee thanked Laurette Burton for her sterling efforts in organising this years’s event in the Quaker Meeting House in Norwich. Although fully committed to continue this long-standing Norwich event, the committee has asked those involved to consider how we want to run it next year. The committee will discuss the matter and decide on format for 2025 at the next meeting in October.
Communication and denominational websites
The committee was positive about the new website for NWCT that has been developed in partnership with Network Norfolk. As the County Ecumenical Officer for NWCT, Ian asked DEOs to consider cascading relevant NWCT articles through their own denominational communication channels, and to encourage as many people as possible to sign up to, and contribute towards, the NWCT regular Enews communication and the new quarterly ecumenical update. DEOs should also look to work with their regional website communication leads to create more dedicated content on ecumenism. Ian said it was important for us all to consistently present more ecumenical visibility so that people can be encouraged by seeing the positive fruits of us praying, worshipping, working and walking together.
The DEO committee also agreed to meet formally three times a year rather than the current four. It was felt this better fitted with the schedule of NWCT leaders meetings.
LEP priority support from NWCT
There are more than a dozen formal Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) across Norfolk and Waveney. Most, if not all, are well established and require no additional support or consideration about future possibilities. In terms of NWCT, the focus for the next 12 months will be to support as required two LEPs , Thetford and Great Yarmouth, to help them identify and realise future options/ possibilities.
Good Friday ecumenical 'Walks of Witness'
A query was raised by a Norwich-based minister enquiring whether NWCT would be organising an ecumenical walk of witness on Good Friday. This was discussed but the committee felt that this was an event that worked best when left to local churches working together.
Core Annual Activities of NWCT
Ian explained that as County Ecumenical Officer for NWCT, he was putting in place some regular and manageable annual events for the senior Church leaders. The Church leaders may decide, or indeed actually undertake, more ecumenical worship and support work, but these represent the core visible activities of NWCT, they are:
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To meet formally for friendship, prayer and ecumenical business twice a year (a long-standing tradition). One of these meetings may involve a pilgrimage - as is planned for January 2025 to Rome
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To have one main annual ecumenical service of commitment and thanksgiving a year. This is where all Church leaders worship together in public and it is to be held on the day of Christ the King
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To focus on at least one main ecumenical theme each year. This will involve a series of senior Church leaders opinion pieces focused around this theme.
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NWCT to run an annual workshop(s)/ lecture(s) during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which will engage a wider number of Christians on the theme reflected in the senior Church leaders' opinion pieces. This is likely to be a two-hour event with invited speakers (national and local). The first workshop/ lecture will be held in January 2025 and the theme will be decided at the next NWCT leadership group meeting in May this year.
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NWCT to continue organising the Norwich Chain of Prayer which is a long-standing tradition of over 40 years.
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To support the County Ecumenical Officer in maintaining the NWCT website, producing a regular Enews communication and a quarterly ecumenical update for Norfolk and Waveney (for which senior Church leaders will contribute opinion pieces)
The Church leaders are in no way restricted to these core activities, as part of their denominational leadership responsibilities they are often engaged with multiple ecumenical initiatives and events, both locally and nationally. Regardless of these ongoing and organic opportunities, however, it is the core activities that represent the collective minimum we will do as NWCT to support our mission - Together in Christ, Bound by Love, Serving as One.
Any queries about NWCT should, in the first instance, be directed at the County Ecumenical Officer, Dr Ian Watson at: nwct-watson@outlook.com or on 07939 228163
Photo by Dr Ian Watson of Priors Hall and Norwich Anglican Cathedral, 28 Feb 2024