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WHEN CHURCHES JOIN - 5. Covenants and Agreements

Covenant of Co-operation between the Anglican Diocese of Perth, the Anglican Parish of Mt Hawthorn, the Uniting Church in Australia Presbytery of Perth, and the Uniting Church Emmaus Congregation of Mt Hawthorn.

Revised 20 October 2002..

The Anglican Diocese of Perth and the Anglican Parish of Mt Hawthorn and The Uniting Church in Australia Presbytery of Perth and the Uniting Church Emmaus Congregation of Mt Hawthorn enter into this covenant for the purpose of creating a Co-operating Parish in Mt Hawthorn.

1. THE FOUNDATION OF THE COVENANT

1.1. In the unity of the faith we recognise and acknowledge that:
1.1.1 Jesus calls us all to love one another.
1.1.2 Jesus calls and enables all Christians to build one another up in the wholeness of the faith and to be witness to the world of the forgiveness and saving power of Jesus the Son of God.
1.1.3 In one another there is the same desire to hold in its fullness the same faith in the Gospel of Jesus founded in Holy Scripture, which the Creeds of the Church and other confessions are intended to safeguard.
1.1.4 Within one another there is the same awareness of God's call, the same Spirit of God, the same baptism and membership of the Church of Christ Jesus, and the same, though diverse, gifts of God for ministry.
1.1.5 Within one another there are patterns of worship and sacramental life, marks of holiness and zeal, which are manifestly gifts of Jesus to his Church. We remain loyal to the denominational traditions, which have nurtured us in the faith. We recognise that these traditions will not always be fully understood, so we commit ourselves to a greater understanding and appreciation of each other's traditions.

1.2. Our Response, through a continuing dialogue has been to find a common mind in the desire to share ministry and a new parish centre. Though we realise that there is much further to go, we are greatly encouraged and take the achievements to date as a mark of God's blessing upon our endeavours.

1.3 Therefore, our aim is
1.3.1 To commit ourselves to seek such form of common life that will best enable growth and mission within the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, to make best use of resources, and together seek to understand and do God's will as part of his people.
1.3.2 To double the worshipping numbers to 150 within the next five years and to develop strategies to take our growth over 300.
1.3.3 To co-operate and share, as much as possible, with other Christian congregations and groups within this community.
1.3.4 To acknowledge the place and authority of the wider church and in particular the roles, ordinances and arrangements of The Anglican Church of Australia, Diocese of Perth and The Uniting Church in Australia, Presbytery of Perth.
1.3.5 Not to seek to form a new denomination or quasi denomination within the Universal Church and so all members of our Co-operating Parish will retain their status as members of either denomination and such membership, and its responsibilities, will be respected.
1.3.6 To be a local congregation on a pilgrimage.

2. NAME OF PARISH

This Parish shall be known as the St Peter's and Emmaus Community Church (a co-operative venture of The Anglican Church of Australia and The Uniting Church in Australia).

3. PURPOSE

Under the guidance and direction of the Council of the Diocese of Perth (The Anglican Church of Australia) and the Presbytery of Perth (The Uniting Church in Australia) members of the congregations of the Anglican Church and Uniting Church in Mt Hawthorn enter into a covenant to achieve the following purposes:

3.1 To share together services and meetings of worship to God who has drawn us to himself through Jesus with whom we share a living relationship.

3.2 To develop a unified witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus in the district.

3.3 To work together in Christian service and care among the people of the district.

3.4 To grow together collectively and personally in prayer, in worship, in study, in mission and in service, acknowledging our need of God who is our creator, Jesus who is our Lord and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us for service and Ministers graciously to our needs and sufferings.

3.5 To provide for and work with the full time ordained Minister/s and other ministry approved by the Parish, Diocese and Presbytery.

3.6 To provide a Parish Community/Worship Centre, on the land at the corner of Banksia and Green Streets Joondanna, as approved by the Parish, Diocese and Presbytery.

3.7 To provide for and share with the ordained Minister/s and other ministry appointments approved by the Parish, Diocese and Presbytery in leading members of both denominations and others in love and service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONGREGATIONS

4.1 To be an expression of the Body of Christ in one place of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and to witness to that unity that is both Christ's gift and will.

4.2 To maintain the life and witness of worship and service so that members will be nurtured in faith and love, sustained in hope, encouraged in their growth in grace and upheld in prayer.

4.3 To be a loving community in which members are sustained in fellowship, in prayer and confession, in baptism and the Lord's Supper, in mutual reception of and mutual exertion in Gospel proclamation and service.

4.4 To encourage, equip, enable and provide opportunity for the members to participate more fully in the life and mission of Christ's Church.

4.5 To elect members to the Joint Church Council.

4.6 To be responsible, through the Joint Church Council, for the maintenance and upkeep of the Church property.

4.7 To meet as required to transact congregational business.

5. MEMBERSHIP ANp ROLLS OF THE CO-OPERATING PARISH

5.1 Members of the Anglican and Uniting Churches may be members of the Co-operating Parish according to the requirements for membership in their own denomination.

5.2 Members of other Christian denominations may be members-in-association of the Co-operating Parish according to the requirements of either the Anglican or Uniting Church, provided that they are committed members in good standing with their own denomination and undertake to be loyal to the Co- operating Parish and its covenant of worship, witness and service together.

5.3 Membership shall not be held in any way, which implies independence of the Parish from the Anglican or Uniting Church.

6. SERVICES OF WORSHIP AND SACRAMENTS

6.1 The times and nature of services shall be determined by the Joint Church Council in consultation with the ordained Ministers.

6.2 Provision shall be made for parishioners of both denominations to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion according to the customs ofboth traditions.

6.3 Baptism should normally be celebrated in a regular service of worship according to the rites of the denomination chosen by the person to be baptised or the parents of a child to be baptised. Baptism will normally follow a period of appropriate preparation of the candidate and/or the parents.

6.4 Funerals and Wedding Services shall be available from both denominations as selected by the people concerned.

6.5 Each of the co-operating denominations is obliged to safeguard those matters of faith arid order that are regarded as essential for the faithful witness of each of the co-operative denominations. At the same time we appreciate the scope for local freedom, initiative, and innovation in obedience to the Gospel.

6.6 Provision will be made for the appointed Minister/s to receive training and farniliarisation with the liturgies and practices of the co-operating denominations.

7. APPOINTMENT OF THE MINISTERIAL TEAM

7.1 The ministerial team will consist of at least one ordained Minister of the Anglican or Uniting Church together with such other pastoral, community or specialised ministry workers, as the Co-operating Parish may deem appropriate from time to time.

7.2 When for good reason the Co-operating Parish is to be served by only one ordained Minister from either the Uniting or Anglican Church agreement must be given by both the Diocese and the Presbytery.

7.3 It is expected that the members of the ministerial team will provide ministry to members of both denominations but when there is only one ordained Minister serving the Co-operating Parish provision may be made for services in the other tradition to be conducted by a Minister of that tradition.

7.4 Appointments of ordained Ministers will be in accordance with the procedures of the denomination to which the appointee belongs. Provision will be made for members of the congregation and Diocese or Presbytery of the other Church to be a part of the selection process.

7.5 An ordained Minister shall be designated as Ministry Team Leader. Such leader shall be appointed by agreement between Diocese and Presbytery.

7.6 The initial Ministerial Team Leader will be the incumbent Rector of the Anglican Parish of Mt Hawthorn for an initial term of five years.

7.7 As funds become available from the sale of Anglican and Uniting Church properties, the equivalent of one further full time appointment will be made, including at least one member of the Uniting Church. Such appointment/s shall have the approval of Parish, Diocese and Presbytery.

7.8 The terms of appointment of members of the ministerial team (including remuneration, annual leave, long service leave and study leave) will be those of the team member's own denomination.

8. GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

8.1 The Co-operating Parish consists of two congregations established and continuing according to the ordinances and regulations of their respective denominations.

8.2 The Congregations may meet according to their denominational practice to transact any business that relates only to their relationships and rules within their denomination.

8.3 The congregations will normally meet as the Co-operating Parish and make their decisions and order their life as though they were a single congregation.

8.4 The Co-operating Parish shall hold an Annual Meeting in May each year for the purpose of receiving annual reports and electing members to representative roles. At an appropriate time, the Co-operating Parish shall meet to adopt plans and budgets for the coming year.

8.5 The Congregation shall meet at other times as determined by the Joint Church Councilor requested by ten members in a written request delivered to the Ministerial Team Leader.

8.6 The regular oversight and management of the Co-operating Parish's life and business affairs shall be the responsibility, as detailed in 9 below, of the Joint Church Council.

9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOINT CHURCH COUNCIL

9.1 To be responsible, with the ministerial team, for the oversight and leadership in the Cooperating Parish in its worship and mission, and for the management of all property and finances of the Parish.

9.2 To share with the ministerial team in building up the members in faith and love and nurturing the members in their growth in grace.

9.3 To present reports on all matters pertaining to the life of the Co-operating Parish and audited accounts to the Annual MeetiIig of members of the Cooperating Parish.

9.4 To exercise, with the ministerial team, oversight of all groups within the Co-operating Parish.

9.5 To keep and review the rolls of membership of the Co-operating Parish.

9.6 To appoint Ministry Task Groups of its members and others, and to assign or delegate responsibilities to such Task Groups who shall always remain responsible to the Joint Church Council and report regularly, as determined by the Council.

9.7 To be responsible for other such things as may be required to support the mission of the Church and relationships with the various councils of the wider Churches.

10. MEMBERSHIP OF THE JOINT CHURCH COUNCIL

10.1 The ordained and appointed members of the ministerial team.

10.2 Elected and appointed representatives of the congregations.

10.3 Members of the Joint Church Council shall be set apart by prayer in a service of worship.

11. ELECTED AND APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE JOINT CHURCH COUNCIL

11.1 Each Congregation shall appoint its own Parish or Church Council in accordance with its denominational ordinances or regulations.

11.2 The Anglican Parish Council shall consist of the Wardens and four other persons.

11.3 The Uniting Church Church Council shall consist of four elected members and up to two additional persons coopted by the Council.

11.4 Election shall be by separate secret ballots at the annual meeting of the Cooperating Parish.

11.5 Nominations shall be in writing, signed by two nominators and the nominee, and shall close two weeks before an election when the names of those nominated shall be announced in the Parish.

11.6 It shall not be obligatory to fill all positions available.

11.7 Representatives will be elected for a two-year term, and shall be eligible for re-election for up to a further two consecutive terms. Thereafter they are not again eligible for election to the Parish or Church Council for twelve months.

11.8 The members of the Anglican Parish Council and the Uniting Church Church Council shall form the Joint Church Council of the Cooperating Parish.

11.9 Casual vacancies, caused by the resignation or death of a member, may be filled by the Joint Church Council, such appointments expiring at the next Annual Meeting of the Cooperating Parish.

12. OFFICERS OF THE JOINT CHURCH COUNCIL

12.1 The Joint Church Council, at the meeting following the Annual Meeting of the Co-operating Parish, will appoint one of.its members as Chairperson. In the absence at any time of the Chairperson, the Joint Church Council will appoint one of its members as Acting Chairperson. The Chairperson of the Joint Church Council will also be Chairperson of any Co-operating Parish meeting.

12.2 The Joint Church Council, at the meeting following the Annual Meeting of the Co-operating Parish will appoint one of its members as Secretary, to keep the minutes of its meetings and of all Co-operating Parish meetings, and to take care of all records and papers of the Co-operating Parish and Joint Parish Council.

12.3 The Joint Church Council, at the meeting following the Annual Meeting of the Co-operating Parish, will appoint one of its members as Treasurer who will receive and bank all monies, make all payments, keep the books of account and prepare financial statements for the consideration of the Joint Church Council and the Co-operating Parish.

13. FINANCES

13.1 An ordinary income, from offerings, property rentals, donations, fund raising activities and any other sources shall be treated as income of the Co-operating Parish and managed by the Joint Church Council.

13.2 All trusts and designated reserve funds held at the time of the commencement of this Covenant shall be held by the appropriate denomination Trustee and managed in accordance with the existing trusts or deeds. Income from such trusts and reserve funds will be made available to the Co-operating Parish to be used in accordance with the purpose of the trust or reserve fund. If there is any need for instructions to be given to the Trustees holding any denominational based trusts or reserves funds, then the Joint Church Council shall appoint a special committee consisting of members of the appropriate detlomination to deal with the matter.

13.3 Any bequests or designated gifts received after the commencement of this Covenant shall be dealt with in accordance with any trust or deed. If there are no other instructions to be followed, the funds shall be lodged with the appropriate denominational Trustees.

14. MINISTRY TASK GROUPS

14.1 In fulfilling its roles and to assist its functioning, the Joint Church Council may appoint an executive and other Ministry Task Groups and/or sole conveners.

14.2 Membership of the Ministry Task Groups shall not be restricted to members of the Joint Church Council.

14.3 Any Ministry Task Group or sole convener shall have only an advisory role unless it has been given a specific power to act, and shall report to the Joint Church Council on a regular basis or as required.

14.4 Ministry Task Groups may include, but not be limited to
14.1.1 Mission and Outreach.
14.1.2 Worship.
14.1.3 Pastoral Care.
14.1.4 Christian Education.
14.1.5 Children, Youth and Farnily.
14.1.6 Property and Grounds.

15. DENOMINATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

15.1 The Co-operating Parish will make provision for the Minister/s of the parish and lay representatives to attend and participate in the meetings of the councils and bodies to which the Cooperating Parish will report.

15.2 The Co-operating Parish accepts the obligation in general to be guided by the councils of the co- operating denominations (including National Anglican/Uniting Church agreements) and to refer any points of difficulty in co-operation that relate to the function of the Co-operating Parish to a consultation between representatives of the Diocese of Perth and the Presbytery of Perth.

15.3 Approval of the Diocese and Presbytery is required for any major property changes, for the appointment ofMinisters, appointment of any stipendiary lay staff with pastoral responsibilities, the establishment or inclusion of any additional congregations and any amendments to this agreement. The Joint Church Council shall consult representatives of the Diocese and Presbytery and keep them informed of any such matters under consideration.

15.4 The Diocese and Presbytery shall also keep the Co-operating Parish informed of any matters, which may affect the Co-operating Parish. The co-operating denominations will use their best efforts to assist the Cooperating Parish to maintain and extend its work and mission.

15.5 Representatives of the co-operating denominations have a right to meet with their own members in the Co-operating Parish after consultation with the Minister/s and/or Joint Church Council. Such meetings will be arranged as required and in accordance with the regulations and ordinances of the respective denominations.

16. REVIEW AND RENEWAL

16.1 The Diocese and Presbytery shall conduct a review of the operation of this Covenant after the fIrst five years, and thereafter at five yearly intervals. The results of the review shall be communicated to the Diocesan Council, the Presbytery and the Joint Parish Council.

16.2 The Diocesan Councilor the Presbytery may revoke this agreement at any time provided that prior consultation has taken place with the appropriate authorities of the other Church, the ordained Ministers and Joint Parish Council.

Signed in the Presence of the Congregations on the ____ Day of ____ 2002 by:

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For The Anglican Diocese of Perth

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For the Presbytery of Perth of The Uniting Church in Australia

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For the Anglican Parish of Mt Hawthorn

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For the Emmaus Uniting Church Congregation