A DECLARATION OF ECUMENICAL WELCOME AND COMMITMENT
By the Lambfold Benefice

1. We, the Priest-in-charge and people of the Lambfold Benefice, are aware that St Mary’s, Blakesley, St Peter and Paul’s, Maidford and All Saints at Adstone are the only church in their parishes, and therefore we invite all Christians who live in our Benefice to be as fully a part of our life and fellowship as they are able.
2. We invite those of Christian traditions other than our own
• to share in the ministry and mission of the Church in our communities
• to worship and, if baptised and communicant members of other Churches, to receive Holy Communion at any of our churches
• to be part of the decision-making of the church2 and to contribute to a common fund for the mission and ministry of the wider church, in so far as their continued giving to another church will allow.
3. We undertake
• to give pastoral care to all those who desire it
• to invite ministers of other churches to take part in leading worship3
• to incorporate the riches of worship of other traditions as appropriate4
• to consult with neighbouring churches concerning the mission of the church in the Lambfold Benefice
• to include this ecumenical declaration as an integral part of the parish profile

For the Lambfold Benefice
Vicar: Revd John Hall
Church Wardens: Richard Ashby, Mary Barnett, Donna Bullock, Rhona Church, Jackie Ellis, Maureen
Gates, Richard Horsley, Betty Ore, Barrie Osborne, David Stoddart,
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1Canon B15A (1972) enables the admission to Holy Communion of "baptised persons who are communicant members of other Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and who are in good standing in their own Church..."
If anyone by virtue of this provision "regularly receives the Holy Communion over a long period which
appears likely to continue indefinitely, the minister shall set before him the normal requirements of the
Church of England for communicant status of that Church."
2The Church Representation Rules 1995 enable a person to be enrolled if she/he is baptised, sixteen years
or upwards and declares themself - "to be a member in good standing of a Church which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity ... and also prepared to declare himself to be a member of the Church of England having habitually attended public worship in the parish during a period of six months prior to enrolment. Making this declaration also confers eligibility to stand for election to the decision making bodies of the
Church of England.
3Canon B43 (1989) says
A minister or lay person who is a member in good standing of a Church to which this Canon applies and is a baptised person may, subject to the provisions of this Canon, be invited to perform all or any of the following duties -
a) to say or sing Morning or Evening Prayer
b) to read the Holy Scripture at any service
c) to preach at any service
d) to lead the Intercessions at the Holy Communion and to lead prayers at other services
e) to assist at Baptism or the Solemnisation of Matrimony or conduct a Funeral Service
f) to assist in the distribution of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the people at the
Holy Communion if the minister or lay person is authorised to perform a similar duty in his or her own
Church."
4"Canon B43 (1989) says
"9. The incumbent of a parish may (with specified approval) invite members of another Church ... to take part in joint worship with the Church of England or to use a church in the parish for worship in accordance with the forms of service and practice of that other Church on such occasions as may be specified in the approval given by the bishop."
Ecumenical Welcome and Commitment in the Church of England
Council for Christian Unity 1997