Queen witnesses signing of Anglican-Methodist Covenant

The Anglican-Methodist Covenant in England has been signed at anational celebration today, in the presence of Her Majesty TheQueen. 

The Covenant was earlier this year strongly endorsed by theMethodist Conference of Great Britain and the General Synod of theChurch of England.

The service of celebration began at Methodist Central Hall,Westminster, at 11.00, in front of an invited assembly of more than600 people from both Churches as well as ecumenical and civicguests. 

After the historic Covenant was signed at Methodist CentralHall, the ceremony continued at Westminster Abbey at 11:45 with ashort service of thanksgiving and dedication.

The Covenant was signed on behalf of the Church of England bythe Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams, theArchbishop of York, the Most Rev Dr David Hope, and the SecretaryGeneral of the Archbishops' Council, Mr William Fittall.

The Methodist Church signatories were the President of theMethodist Conference, the Rev Dr Neil Richardson, the VicePresident of the Conference, Mrs Judy Jarvis, and the GeneralSecretary of the Methodist Church, the Rev David Deeks.

During the first part of the service at Methodist Central Hall,a brief address was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury. TheMethodist President in turn addressed the congregation atWestminster Abbey. 

Address by the Methodist President during the Covenantservice at Westminster Abbey

Views from the Covenant signing at Methodist CentralHall, Westminster

Fullorder of service from Westminster, 1 November 2003 (PDFfile)

How Methodists and Anglicans reached the point of signinga Covenant

An introduction to the Covenant together with theCovenant text