Launch of Eastern Region Training Partnership
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The Lady Chapel in Ely Cathedral hosted the launch of the Eastern Region Training Partnership and signing of a Covenant by Church leaders on September 18th. Around 70 people from across the region gathered together, representing different denominations, theological training institutions and interest groups. The President of Conference, Stephen Poxon, was able to join us, which was a great encouragement. It has taken well over three years of painstaking and careful negotiation to get the various partners to the point where they are prepared to commit themselves to a new level of cooperation and collaboration in their common goal which is 'A visible partnership of its member churches and institutions, committed to a holistic vision of Christian education and to the promotion of discipleship and formation for individuals and communities across the region.'
Those signing included our chairman, Graham Thompson, who for the last year has chaired the Enabling Group with grace and humour, and has worked closely with the 3 facilitators, David Herrick from the Ministry Course in Bury St Edmunds, Jack Lawson, now the Development Enabler for the Methodist East Anglia district, and Esther Shreeve, from the Cambridge Theological Federation. Methodist signatories in addition to Graham included Anne Brown, Chair of the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District, Tim Wooley, representing the Northamptonshire District, and Philip Luscombe, signing both for Wesley House and the Cambridge Theological Federation. Other signatories represented the Anglican Dioceses across the region; Ridley Hall, Westcott House and Westminster College in Cambridge; the Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church and the Eastern Baptist Association.
It was a great occasion, beginning with a service to mark the signing of the Covenant, then moving on to lunch, followed by a lecture given by Prof David Thompson on ‘Bringing the World Church to life in the local congregation’. He may have been given the graveyard slot, but the lecture was stimulating and inspired some good discussion afterwards.
Now we are interested to see how the Training Partnership grows and develops. We pray that we will be able to build on the goodwill that manifested itself at the Launch.