ANGLICANS and Methodists in Broadmayne have come together to sign a historic three year deal.

The Broadmayne Methodists, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary, have put pen to paper to renew their Covenant with local Anglicans.

A special service was held towards the end of last month led by the Revd Dominic Doble, Rector of the Watercombe Benefice, and the Revd Steph Jenner, Superintendent Minister in the Bridport and Dorchester Methodist Circuit.

After refreshments were served in the community hall, the service began in St Martin’s Church with hymns, prayers, a reading and a short address.

Upon hearing the text of the Covenant read, it was then signed by Anglican representatives.

The next part of the service was held at Broadmayne Methodist Church. This featured another short ceremony repeating the earlier order, ending with people from the Methodist community signing the agreement.

Commenting on the partnership, the Revd Doble said: “There is great strength and a good message when different churches, or different parts of the one church, are seen to be working together.”

Meanwhile, the Revd Jenner said: “This agreement develops the previous one by being more of a statement of intent than a set of rules."

The Covenant reads:

“Under God, as members of the body of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, we, the Parish Church of St. Martin's, Broadmayne and the Broadmayne Methodist Church, promise to work together, in continuation of the spirit of the Methodist and Anglican Covenants of 2003 and 2013.

- We will continue to develop worship together

- We will continue to develop discipleship together

- We will continue to develop our work within our community together

“The terms of this Covenant will be reviewed by St. Martin's Parochial Church Council and the Methodist Church Council every three years.

"We hope, wherever possible, that joint working between Broadmayne Methodist Church and the other Anglican Churches in the Watercombe Benefice will take place in the spirit of this agreement.”

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