Anglicans and Methodists to sign Covenant

History will be made tomorrow when the Anglican-Methodist Covenant in England is signed at a national celebration in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. Earlier this year the Covenant was strongly endorsed by the Methodist Conference of Great Britain and the General Synod of the Church of England. The service of celebration will begin at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, at 11am, in front of an invited assembly from both Churches as well as ecumenical and civic guests. After the historic Covenant is signed at Methodist Central Hall, the ceremony will continue at Westminster Abbey at 11.45am with a short service of thanksgiving and dedication. The Covenant will be signed on behalf of the Church of England by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Dr David Hope, and the Secretary General of the Archbishops' Council, Mr William Fittall. The Methodist Church signatories will be the President of the Methodist Conference, the Reverend Dr Neil Richardson, the Vice President of the Conference, Mrs Judy Jarvis, and the General Secretary of the Methodist Church, the Reverend David Deeks. During the first part of the service at Methodist Central Hall, a brief address is to be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Methodist President will in turn address the congregation at Westminster Abbey. The full Order of Service will be published online at www.methodist.org.uk and www.westminster-abbey.org at noon tomorrow. Source: CoE Comms