Signed 18 May 2002

“...that all of them may be one, Father,
just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world
may believe...”
(John 17: 21)

We declare our common belief as Christians in the love of God, the Lordship and saving grace of Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Rejoicing in our oneness in Christ and in the rich variety of our differing traditions and heritages we recognise that the unity we seek does not imply uniformity.

Therefore, we the members of:-

The Anglican Deanery of Bulmer and Malton
The Anglican Deanery of Buckrose
The Malton Methodist Circuit
Elim Pentecostal Church (Malton/Norton)
Malton Baptist Church
The Malton Corps of the Salvation Army
St Leonard ’s Roman Catholic Church
The Sherburn Methodist Circuit
Society of Friends (associate member)

Covenant ourselves to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit into the unity which is Christ’s will and pray for the Church. We commit ourselves to sharing, serving, praying and witnessing together to the love of God for every human being, and to proclaiming the reconciling power of Jesus Christ in the world.

We further covenant to working out how that may be put into practice in our local communities.

The constitution of CTSR adopted 21 February 2005 Amended: 13 February 2007

The Constitution

Objects

To promote co-operation between the Christian denominations in Southern Ryedale by seeking common ground through joint worship, prayer, meetings and service and assisting the clergy and laity towards a joint ministry to the peoples of Southern Ryedale.

To further these Objects there shall be a Steering Committee of the laity and a Church Leaders’ Group, which shall represent the joint views of the churches and will provide the basic level of inter-communication regarding all events and activities and the planning thereof.

1. Steering Committee

The Steering Committee shall comprise four officers - a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Press Officer - who shall be elected at the AGM and serve normally for three years. In addition there will be a representative from each of the active Work Groups, a representative from each of the denominations who appear on the Covenant between the Churches in Southern Ryedale (CTSR) and a representative from the Church Leaders’ Group. The Committee shall have power of co-option should vacancies arise among the officers between AGMs. The Chairman, or a representative, shall attend meetings of the Church Leaders’ Group. The Steering Committee will meet four times a year. Voting will be by simple majority of those present. Four members attending meetings will constitute a quorum. No member shall receive any financial benefit in money or in kind.

2. Work Groups

The Work Groups are the key to the successful operation of the aims and objectives of CTSR. It is recognised they will change in number and purpose depending on the work to be undertaken. Groups can be established by the Steering Committee to undertake specific tasks and external groups can apply to join CTSR subject to approval of the Steering Committee. It is the responsibility of each Work Group to appoint a person to report on their activities to the Steering Committee. The Work Groups and their representation shall be reviewed annually by the Steering Committee.

3. Church Leaders’ Group

The Church Leaders’ Group (CLG) consists of all the leaders from the denominations who appear on the Covenant between the Churches in Southern Ryedale . It shall nominate a Secretary who will co-ordinate its activities. The Secretary, or a representative, shall attend meetings of the Steering Committee. The CLG will normally meet monthly.

4. Denominational Representatives

Each of the denominations who appear on the Covenant between the Churches in Southern Ryedale shall appoint a representative to serve on the Steering Committee.

5. Press Officer

The Press Officer will feed information to the media as appropriate (particularly local press) and also to local representatives of all CTSR congregations for use in church-sponsored magazines, news sheets, etc.

6. Finance

CTSR can fund-raise and receive donations in furtherance of its Objects. An annual subscription will be levied on individual churches in Southern Ryedale according to their membership. Members of the CLG will have individual membership. Assets will be held in a bank account in the name of Churches Together in Southern Ryedale . There will be two signatories to the account selected from the Officers. The independently examined accounts will be presented at the AGM. The independent examiner shall be appointed at the AGM. Subscriptions are due in January and will be reviewed annually at the AGM.

7. Power of amendment

The Constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority of those attending the AGM, or an EGM specifically called for the purpose.

8. Dissolution

If it is decided to dissolve CTSR, a meeting of all members shall be called, of which not less than 21 days notice will be given. If the proposal is passed by a two thirds majority of those present any assets remaining shall be distributed pro rata to the denominations that appear on the covenant.