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1.
Partnership
The partnership is between the Methodist Chaplaincy at Queen’s University within the Belfast South Circuit and Belfast District, and the Church of Ireland Chaplaincy at Queen’s University within the Diocese of
Connor.
This partnership seeks to build on good working relations between both denominations over many years but now aims to take this further by seeking a visible unity in our common life and mission as per the aspirations of the ‘Covenant between the Methodist Church in Ireland and The Church of Ireland’.
2.
Area / Sphere of Ministry
We primarily serve the residential students in both the Methodist Chaplaincy Centre and the Church of
Ireland Student Centre, the staff and students of Queen’s University, Belfast, and all who participate in worship at the Church of the Resurrection. We agree to share a common life and mission across residency, campus, and church, seeking to grow together so that unity may be visibly realized.
We agree to explore fully how best to realize this common life and mission, acknowledging the existing administrative structures within each denomination that supports both Chaplaincies.
3.
Roles and Responsibilities of Chaplains before Local Covenant Partnership
Whilst Chaplains have separate responsibilities for the properties owned by each denomination, and individual recognition by the Senate of Queen’s University, we seek to share fully as Chaplains in the common life and mission of our Chaplaincies.
In seeking to work out how we might share equally and fully in life and mission it is helpful to clarify the historic roles and responsibilities of each Chaplain.
Historically the Church of Ireland Chaplain has officially served in three capacities: a) Dean of Residences for all occupants of 16 – 22 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast with responsibility for the staff of the Church of Ireland Student Centre and oversight of the café on the premises. b) Chaplain to Queen’s University appointed by the Senate of Queen’s University, Belfast c) Chaplain to members of and participants in the worshipping life of the Church of the Resurrection
Historically the Methodist Chaplain has been appointed to the Belfast South Circuit to work amongst the staff and students of Queen’s University, Belfast. This has manifested itself in two official roles: a) Dean of Residences for all occupants of 26 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast b) Chaplain to Queen’s University appointed by the Senate of Queen’s University, Belfast
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4.
Roles and Responsibilities of Chaplains under Local Covenant Partnership
Acknowledging the individual representation of both Chaplains to the Senate of Queen’s University and our distinct responsibilities to the administrative and financial governance of both Chaplaincies (see 5 below) we agree that a shared life and mission be realized as follows across residency, campus and church. a) Residency i) We agree to oversee and minister to a single residential community across all houses from 16 – 26
Elmwood Avenue. Students will reside in the ‘Student Centre of the Methodist and Church of
Ireland Chaplaincies, Queen’s University Belfast’ (hereafter the Student Centre). This will be a single shared identity across all student residents. ii) We agree to share equally in the provision of pastoral care, worship and ministry to all residential students. iii) We seek to encourage all students to partake in the full worshipping and communal life of the
Student Centre. We aspire to create within the Student Centre a place of Christian living that will build up those living in it and be a witness and open door to those outside iv) We seek to encourage and equip all student residents to participate in the mission of the Student
Centre on campus, within our denominations, and through outreach teams that witness across
Ireland and internationally. v) We agree to operate a single selection process for residents to the Student Centre, open to individuals from all denominational backgrounds but with primary regard to those from within both the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church. We agree to operate a single cost structure for all residents. b) Campus Ministry i) We agree to work together in all matters relating to pastoral care, worship, ministry and outreach across campus for all Church of Ireland and Methodist Staff and Students in Queen’s University and for others, staff and students, who come our way. ii) We agree to share responsibility for the ministry of The Hub café, ensuring that it is a place of welcome and hospitality for all. iii) We agree that we should be involved in evangelism in the University community, in our land and worldwide and that people should be helped to see the whole of their lives as partners in mission. iv) We agree to explore how our common mission might best be achieved on campus within the context of our aspirations for visible unity. We value the historic and independent representation of both Chaplaincies to the University and the close working relationships developed with the other
Chaplaincies, in particular the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian Chaplaincies. v) We aspire to be a common witness to, and resource for, those of University age within our denominations. The Student Centre has a wider ministry within both churches and can be a visible focus for unity and growth for young adults.
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vi) We seek to enable people to develop a Christian perspective about their studies, lifestyles, and about issues of importance in today’s world. We value whole life discipleship that does not perpetuate the sacred/secular divide but sees every arena of living as a context within which to bear witness to a life lived for God. c) Church of the Resurrection i) We agree that the Church of the Resurrection should be a Covenant Church formally recognised by both denominations. ii) We agree to share in full sacramental ministry within, and to maintain equal oversight of, the
Church of the Resurrection. iii) We seek to ensure that the worship of God in the church will be inspiring, welcoming, relevant and biblical, so that all may find in the Church of the Resurrection a place of fellowship, Christian community and discipleship. iv) We shall administer Baptism according to the rite and / or practice of either denomination, or a rite approved by them, and this shall be set, in normal circumstances, within an act of congregational worship. A joint register of baptisms shall be kept, and a joint certificate of baptism issued. v) Preparation for full membership/confirmation shall be undertaken jointly. The Church of Ireland
Bishop and the appropriate Methodist Minister shall jointly lay hands and invoke the Holy Spirit on each candidate. These candidates should be considered full members of both denominations. vi) A list of members shall be maintained and revised on an annual basis. Membership implies certain duties and responsibilities: regular attendance at worship including eucharistic worship, faithfulness in personal prayer and bible reading, active sharing in the life of the church through the use of individual gifts, talents and abilities, regular sacrificial giving and witness to God’s love in the world by word and deed. vii) We shall respect the faith and practice of both denominations in relation to the Eucharist. Ordained priests, ministers or other duly authorised persons shall preside at the Eucharist as permitted by denominational legislation. viii) Three Representatives of the Church of the Resurrection shall be appointed to a Covenant
Management Group (see 6 below).
5.
Distinct Administration of both Chaplaincies a) We seek visibly to realize our unity and common life through shared oversight and governance of the
Student Centre, whilst acknowledging our distinct administrative structures. Our primary goal is not necessarily a unity of administration but rather is always to ensure that a common mission is realized. It is helpful to clarify the distinct administrative arrangements of both Chaplaincies, before summarizing the role of a Covenant Management Group in sharing oversight and in recognizing distinctions that remain. b) Distinct aspects of the administration of the Church of Ireland are as follows: i) Appointment of the Chaplain / Dean of Residences is the responsibility of the Bishop of Connor;
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ii) Oversight of the Church of Ireland Student Centre is carried out by the Committee of Management who meet at least once annually; iii) The Committee of Management appoint and delegate to The Executive Committee who administer the ongoing running of the Centre iv) Ownership of all properties from 16 – 22 Elmwood Avenue, including Student Accommodation,
Chaplain’s Accommodation, the Church of the Resurrection and Café is vested in the
Representative Church Body, Dublin. v) A stipend for the Chaplain is provided by the Representative Church Body. vi) A financial contribution is made by the Representative Church Body that is used by the Church of
Ireland centre for the remuneration of a Domestic Bursar. vii) Income is generated from a variety of sources, chiefly rental income from Houses 16-22 together with support from parishes and dioceses across the Church of Ireland. Income is also raised through the revenue of the Café with further contributions coming from The Church of the Resurrection. viii) The Church of the Resurrection is a church within The Church of Ireland and has its own accounts. ix) The Church of Ireland Centre employs a number of staff to undertake a variety of pastoral, administrative and auxiliary roles across centre, café and church. c) Distinct aspects of the administration of The Methodist Chaplaincy are as follows: i) Appointment of the Chaplain is the responsibility of the Stationing Committee in response to the decision of the Methodist Conference. Nomination for the role of Chaplain is made to the
Conference by the Queen’s University Belfast Methodist Chaplaincy Committee. ii) Oversight of the Methodist Chaplaincy Centre is carried out by the Queen’s University Belfast
Methodist Chaplaincy Committee appointed by the Belfast District Synod. iii) Ownership of 24 – 26 Elmwood Avenue including Chaplain’s Manse and Student Accommodation is vested in the Trustees of the Methodist Church in Ireland. iv) The finances of the Methodist Chaplaincy, including Chaplain’s stipend, are underwritten by the
Methodist Home Mission Department. v) Income is solely generated through the letting of accommodation in House 26.
6.
Covenant Management Group a) Under the aspirations of this Local Covenant Partnership, and subject to the legal rights and status of the Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland, the Committee of Management of the Church of Ireland Centre, the Bishop of Connor, the Methodist Home Mission Department, Methodist
Conference, Belfast District Synod, and the Stationing Committee, we propose a Covenant
Management Group to oversee the management, ministry and mission of the Student Centre. A summary of the role and responsibilities of the Covenant Management Group is as follows:
MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS b) The Covenant Management Group shall consist of the following:- i) Three Representatives from the Church of Ireland Committee of Management, at least one of whom shall be female and at least one of whom shall be male. One of these Representatives is to be elected as the Church of Ireland Centre Co-Chair by the Covenant Management Group; ii) Three Representatives from the QUB Methodist Chaplaincy Committee, at least one of whom shall be female and at least one of whom shall be male. One of these Representatives is to be elected as the Methodist Chaplaincy Co-Chair by the Covenant Management Group; iii) Three Representatives from the Church of the Resurrection, at least one of whom shall be female and at least one of whom shall be male. One of these Representatives is to be elected as the
Church of the Resurrection Co-Chair by the Covenant Management Group
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iv) The Church of Ireland Chaplain in Queen's University, Belfast v) The Methodist Church in Ireland Chaplain in Queen's University, Belfast vi) A representative from the Covenant Student Committee. The appointed Chair of the Covenant
Management Group may from time to time request the non attendance of the student representative as appropriate for the discussions at a particular meeting. At all other times the student shall have proposal and voting rights. vii) The Bursar of the Church of Ireland Centre shall also attend to report on matters arising. The Bursar shall not have proposal and voting rights. viii) Other members of staff may be in attendance as appropriate. c) Appointments to the Covenant Management Group shall be made on a triennial basis, commencing with effect from 1st September in the year of appointment and ending on 31st August in the next triennial year. d) Individuals may be appointed to the Covenant Management Group for a maximum of three consecutive triennial terms. To facilitate continuity at the end of each triennial term the proportion of members who are permitted to stand down is restricted as follows: i) No more than half of the full Covenant Management Group; and ii) No more than two-thirds of the appointed representatives of each of the three appointing bodies e) Vacancies occurring through death or resignation of any representative may be filled by co-option of an appropriately qualified person from the appropriate appointing body. The appointee will complete the term of the triennial appointment. f) The Covenant Management Group shall determine who shall act as Chair of Meetings in each year. The role of Chair of Meetings is to be rotated between the Co-Chair representatives on an annual basis. In the event of an absence of the acting Chair of Meetings the role shall be carried out by the Co-Chair representative for the forthcoming year, in the first instance, and by the Co-Chair representative from the previous year, in the second. g) The Covenant Management Group shall appoint an Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. h) The Covenant Management Group shall meet once at least in each term and on other occasions when determined by the Covenant Management Group or as summoned by either Chaplain i) The Covenant Management Group may co-opt up to two additional members onto the Group to provide specific advice or expertise.
RESPONSIBILITY j) The Covenant Management Group is responsible for, though not limited to, the following: i) General maintenance and oversight of the Student Centre ii) Appointment and oversight of staffing, ensuring staffing levels proportionate to the financial position of the Student Centre and to meeting the ancillary, worship and mission needs of the
Student Centre iii) Maintaining a commitment to resourcing mission and projects, both locally and abroad, through the distribution of funds and the enablement of staff, students, and other volunteers iv) Agreeing budgets for general maintenance and household costs associated with all premises in the
Student Centre that are proportionate to the income generated by each of the Church of Ireland
Centre and the Methodist Chaplaincy, and commensurate with the needs to safeguard the interests of both
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v) Creating potential from within existing revenue streams to make improvements to the whole
Student Centre, with particular attention being paid to safeguarding the provision of residential accommodation and to explore new opportunities for raising funds through fundraising and awareness-raising of the role of the Student Centre vi) Seeking to provide the highest standards of residential accommodation possible given the means of the Student Centre vii) Integrating all aspects of the Student Centre – residential, church, café – into the ministry, mission and purpose of the Student Centre. viii) Providing appropriate oversight, care and support for the Chaplains and, where appropriate, their families.
SAFEGUARDS PERTINENT TO THE LEGAL STATUS OF PREMISES k) It is recognized that the premises of the Church of Ireland Centre and the Methodist Chaplaincy are not vested in, nor owned by, the Covenant Management Group. Decisions relating to the buildings owned by the Church of Ireland must have the approval of the Committee of Management and the
Representative Church Body. Likewise decisions relating to the buildings owned by the Trustees of the
Methodist Church in Ireland must have the approval of the QUB Methodist Chaplaincy Committee and the Methodist Home Mission Department. It is likely that the Covenant Management Group will be engaged in bringing proposals and recommendations regarding significant work to the buildings before the Committee of Management and the Methodist Chaplaincy Committee.
APPOINTMENT OF FUTURE CHAPLAINS / DEAN OF RESIDENCES l) Subject to the right of the Bishop of Connor to appoint a Dean of Residences entirely at his or her own discretion, the Covenant Management Group shall undertake to provide any assistance required by the
Bishop of Connor to make an appointment in keeping with the values of the Local Covenant
Partnership. On such occasions the Covenant Management Group will be represented by one representative from the Committee of Management, one from the Church of the Resurrection, and one from the Methodist Chaplaincy Committee. m) Appointment of the Methodist Chaplain is the responsibility of the Representative Session of the
Methodist Conference. Nomination for the role of Chaplain is made to the Conference by the General
Committee of the Methodist Church in Ireland. The Covenant Management Group shall undertake to provide any assistance required by the General Committee to make an appointment in keeping with the values of the Local Covenant Partnership. On such occasions the Covenant Management Group will be represented by one representative from the Committee of Management, one from the Church of the Resurrection, and one from the QUB Methodist Chaplaincy Committee.
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7.
Amendments to Local Covenant Partnership Document
Amendments to the Local Covenant Partnership may be proposed by any of the three appointing bodies or by the Covenant Management Group. These will require the approval of the three appointing bodies and will be formalised by the signature of the Bishop of Connor and the Belfast District
Superintendant.
Signatories:
___________________________
___________________________
Methodist Chaplaincy Committee
Rev Dr Heather Morris, Belfast District Superintendent
___________________________
Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor
___________________________
Church of Ireland Student Centre
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