Churches Together in Shropshire

The following local Churches Together Groups are affiliated to Churches Together in Shropshire:

Churches Together in Albrighton
Churches Together in Clun
Churches Together around Craven Arms
Churches Together in Ellesmere & District
Churches Together in Gobowen
Churches Together around Ludlow
Churches Together in Market Drayton
Churches Together in Oswestry District
Churches Together in Prees, Fauls & Higher Heath
Churches Together in Shrewsbury
Churches Together in the Strettons
Churches Together in Wem
Churches Together in Whitchurch

A local Christian Ecumenical Group or local Congregation where there is no local Group shall be a member of CTS if it signifies in writing to the Council that it affirms the Basis (See Home page), wishes to be a member of CTS and agrees to pay an annual subscription at a rate to be agreed at the Annual Meeting. Local or County branches of Ecumenically based Christian organisations may apply to the Council to become associate members. Any local church which on principle has no credal statements in its tradition and therefore cannot formally subscribe to the Statement of Faith in the Basis, above, may be admitted to membership provided that it manifests faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures and is committed to the aims and purposes of Churches Together in Shropshire and that it will work in the spirit of that Basis.

Local Ecumenical partnerships in Shropshire

Shrewsbury - Greenfields United Church (1973) C of E & Methodist
Oswestry - Christ Church (1990) URC & Presb Ch of Wales
St Michaels - All Stretton (1994) C of E & URC
St George’s - Rodington (1994) C of E & Methodist
Holy Spirit - Harlescott (1999) C of E & Methodist
Emmanuel - Shrewsbury (1999) C of E & Methodist
St Chad's Shrewsbury (2006) C of E & Methodist Shared Building

What is a Local Ecumenical Partnership?

A Local Ecumenical Partnership is defined as existing ‘where there is a formal written agreement affecting the ministry, congregational life, buildings and/or mission projects of more than one denomination: and a recognition of that agreement by the Sponsoring Body, and authorisation by the appropriate denominational authorities.

For an LEP to exist, then, there must be a formal written agreement by the local churches/chaplains/participants , a formal written authorisation by the appropriate denominational bodies in line with their provisions and procedures and a formal recognition, ongoing liaison, support and review by the appropriate Sponsoring Body. (Churches Together in Shropshire for these LEPs.)

Parish Churches which have issued an Ecumenical Welcome

Christ Church - Shelton & Oxon
St Giles - Badger
St Milburga - Beckbury
St Andrew - Kemberton
St Andrew - Ryton
St Chad - Stockton
St Mary - Sutton Maddock
Holy Trinity - Buildwas
St Mary - Eaton Constantine
St Mary - Leighton
Holy Trinity - Uffington
Holy Trinity - Uppington
St Cuthbert - Clungunford
St Swithin - Clunbury
St Mary - Clunton
St Mary - Bedstone
St Mary - Hopesay
St Edward - Hopton Castle
St Andrew - Great Ness
St Margaret - Acton Scott
St Michael's Llanyblodwel

Joint Ecumenical Welcomes

St Andrew's Parish Church and the URC Chapel - Welsh Frankton

What is an Ecumenical Welcome?

In many villages there is only one church building and worshipping community, most often Church of England. Within the village there may be Christians of different traditions, some of whom try to combine loyalty to a particular denomination With their desire to worship and witness In their local community. Sometimes a church of another denomination has been closed, sometimes people from another denomination have moved into the village, sometimes those who previously commuted to a church outside the village are prevented from doing so through infirmity or poor public transport.

There are also villages with two churches which already enjoy a close relationship between them where they jointly issue an Ecumenical Welcome on the same basis.