THE Methodist Church and the Church of England could move closer to unity next month when the Methodists debate whether to enter into a covenant pledging “full agreement in the apostolic faith”.

Methodists meeting at their annual conference will be asked to commit to work towards full unity with Anglicans, with an interchangeable ministry and shared services.

If the covenant is agreed by the Methodists and by the Church of England, a commission will be set up by both Churches to implement it, reporting back in 2005.

When John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, died in 1791 he still considered himself a member of the Church of England, although Methodist “preaching houses” or chapels were already flourishing.

However, in 1795 the Methodists began conducting their own baptisms and Communion services, and the break with the Church of England became complete when the Methodists began ordaining their own ministers in 1836.

With about 320,000 members, the Methodist Church is more than one third of the size of the Church of England. Both Churches are facing similar problems of declining and ageing membership.

Some Methodists fear that the covenant represents a take-over bid by the Church of England, while traditionalist Anglicans are concerned about differences in the orders of the Churches. Methodists have no bishops in England, although they do in America, but they do allow women into every area of their ministry. The Church of England has bishops, but does not yet allow women to become bishops.

Previous attempts at unity failed in 1972 and 1982, when it was desired by the Methodist Church but rejected by the Church of England.

The Methodist conference begins on June 28 at Llandudno in North Wales.

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