The Constitution of Churches Together in Lichfield and District
BASIS
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN Lichfield and District unites in pilgrimage those Churches in
Lichfield City and the surrounding villages which, acknowledging God's revelation in Christ,
confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures, and, in
obedience to God's will and in the power of the Holy Spirit commit themselves
To seek a deepening of their communion with Christ and with one another in the
Church, which is His body; and
To fulfil their mission to proclaim the Gospel by common witness and service in
the world
to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
AIMS
The aims of Churches Together in Lichfield and District shall be -
(a) to enable the churches, as pilgrims together, to explore the Christian faith together, to
develop mutual relationships, to seek a common mind, and to make decisions together;
(b) To encourage churches to worship, pray and reflect together on the nature and
purpose of the church in the light of its mission - each church sharing with others the
treasures of its tradition;
(c) To enable the churches to live and share the Gospel, to evangelise together and to
take further steps towards fuller unity;
(d) To enable the churches to respond to the needs of society and to witness to the
Gospel together.
In particular Churches Together in Lichfield and District shall seek to -
i) Serve as a means of communication between churches and other Christian groups
within its area;
ii) Provide a focus for relating to the local authority and other statutory or voluntary
bodies;
iii) Co-ordinate church involvement in town twinning schemes;
iv) Co-ordinate mission and evangelism as appropriate across its area of operation.
(v) Develop further links with other faith communities within its area.
AREA
Churches Together in Lichfield & District aims to serve Lichfield City, Boley Park, Darwin Park,
Elmhurst and the villages of Hints, Longdon, Shenstone, Stonnall, Wall, Weeford and
Whittington.
RELATIONSHIPS
Churches Together in Lichfield & District is a member body of Churches Linked Across
Staffordshire and the Potteries (CLASP).
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of Churches Together in Lichfield & District shall be open to -
(a) any church or association of local churches within one Christian tradition which is
affiliated to a church or association of churches which is a full member of Churches
Together in England and
(b) any church or association of local churches within one Christian tradition which affirms
the Basis and commits itself to promote the aims of Churches Together in Lichfield &
District and which has its own national or regional organisation and ecclesial identity and
(c) any church which on principle has no credal statements in its tradition and therefore
cannot formally subscribe to the statement of faith in the Basis provided that it satisfies
75% in number of those full member churches which subscribe to the Basis that it
manifests faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures and it is committed to the aims
and purposes of Churches Together in Lichfield & District and that it will work in the spirit
of the Basis and
(d) any association, network, movement or ecumenical partnership which brings together
Christians of different denominations in the area for purposes congruent with the basis
and aims of Churches Together in Lichfield & District.
Associate membership may be offered to churches or fellowships at the discretion of
Members of Churches Together in Lichfield and District. Associate membership entitles the
church or fellowship to participate in all meeting and activities of Churches Together in
Lichfield and District but without voting rights.
OFFICERS
(a) The officers of Churches Together in Lichfield & District shall be a Clergy Chair and a Lay
Chair, an Honorary Treasurer, and an Honorary Secretary (plus a Minute Secretary, if
desired) to be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Forum.
(b) Nomination and Election of Officers.
(i) The Officers shall be elected/re-elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the
Forum for an initial period of two years, thereafter in 2-year periods. It is intended to
stagger election of the posts of Clergy Chair and Lay Chair so that they shall overleap the
periods of duty.
(ii) Resigning Officers should give prior notice of not less than 28 days before the AGM and
notice of an impending election shall be given not less than 21 days before the AGM.
Nominations for new appointments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary ten days
prior to the AGM, together with a Proposer and Seconder.
(iii) In the event that an Officer post is contested, each nominee shall be requested to
produce an Intention Statement of not more than 100 words, to be read out at the AGM.
Intention Statements may only be questioned if all nominees are present at the AGM.
(iv) Unless the AGM decides otherwise, voting shall be by open ballot and the result declared
by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote. In the event of a tie the Chair of
the AGM shall have the casting vote.
FORUM
(a) All members of member churches are welcome to attend the Forum.
(b) Retired clergy authorised to minister in their own jurisdiction (eg for CofE - licensed to
officiate in Lichfield Diocese) shall be entitled to membership. This will include the right to
vote on all issues except the Constitution, which is voted on by member churches. Partners
of retired clergy will be welcome to attend the Forum but not to vote.
(c) The Forum may co-opt others with particular expertise or understanding to bring. Co-
options shall total not more than one quarter of the representatives elected to the Council
and shall normally be for a maximum of two years. Those co-opted may not vote on the
Constitution.
(d) The Forum shall meet not less than three times annually. The Spring meeting (normally in
April) shall be the Annual Meeting at which the audited accounts shall be presented, officers
elected and annual reports submitted.
(e) Each church in full membership shall have two votes at Forum meetings, including the
Annual Meeting of the Forum. In the event of a vote being required the “voting persons”
shall be nominated in advance. Except for election of officers the Chair of a Forum Meeting
will refer any issue that has a 50/50 vote back to the Enabling Group for reconsideration.
ENABLING GROUP
(a) The churches shall appoint an Enabling Group whose functions shall be to enable the
member churches to make decisions in common and to serve as a reference point for the
Forum
(b) The Enabling Group shall comprise the officers of the Forum, up to four lay
representatives, and up to four clergy or ministers appointed by the member churches with
regard to an appropriate representation of the various Christian traditions and
denominations in membership.
(c) The Enabling Group may set up working groups to explore issues identified by the Forum
or the Enabling Group/Executive. It may also commission a particular member church or
body to work on behalf of all.
FINANCE
Each member church shall pay such annual sum to Churches Together in Lichfield & District
as shall be agreed at the Annual Meeting of the Forum. The financial year shall be from
January to December. Cheques shall require the signature of any of two of the four
authorised signatories, who shall be members of the Enabling Group. An honorary auditor
shall be appointed at the Annual Meeting.
CONSTITUTION
The constitution, and any subsequent amendment to it, requires the approval of 75% of the
member churches, acting through their normal decision-making bodies.
REVIEW
It is intended that Churches Together in Lichfield & District shall reflect the developing life of
the Christian Churches as they continue their pilgrimage together. From time to time
(normally every seven years) a Review Group shall be appointed by the member churches in
consultation with the County Ecumenical Mission Officer to report on the progress of its
pilgrimage and to make proposals for desirable changes.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
This Constitution was adopted at the Annual General Meeting held on 30 April 2014.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD AND DISTRICT
PERIODIC REVIEW 2014-2021
INTRODUCTION
1. Churches Together in Lichfield and District (CTL), the successor to the Lichfield Council of
Churches, held its first meeting in 1995. New constitutions for CTL were adopted in 1999 and
2014, following models produced by Churches Together in England. These models require a
periodic report to be produced. The first one was in 2006 and the second in 2014.
MEMBERSHIP
2. Current members
St Bartholomew, Hints
St Chad, Lichfield with Elmhurst Mission
Christ Church, Lichfield
St Giles, Whittington
Holy Cross, Lichfield
St James the Great, Longdon
St John’s Hospital, Lichfield
St John the Baptist, Shenstone
St John, Wall
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Methodist
Life Church
St Mary, Weeford
St Michael’s, Lichfield
St Peter, Stonnall
St Peter and St Paul, Lichfield
Shenstone Methodist
Wade Street (United Reformed and Baptist)
Lichfield Meeting of the Society of Friends
Full details of current membership can be found on the website.
ACTIVITIES
3. Focus. In the last report in 2014 it was reported that the focus of CTL had changed over the
period of this report and the major activity had become the support of groups associated with
or affiliated to CTL. This work has continued.
4. Groups. Groups and activities currently supported by CTL are:-
Christmas Day Together – provides a meal and entertainment on Christmas day to those who
would otherwise be on their own.
City of Sanctuary Movement – part of a network of groups building a culture of welcome and
hospitality.
Inter Faith Forum – Part of the Inter Faith Network for the UK set up to promote inter faith
understanding and cooperation.
Late Night Listeners – part of the Christian Nightlife Initiative offering Christian outreach to the
night time economy.
Lichfield Christian Aid Action Group – set up to raise funds locally for Christian Aid.
Lichfield Christian Schools Work Trust – provides mentoring and support for pupils attending
local schools.
Lichfield Concern for Palestine Group – affiliated to the national Sabeel-Kairos movement
which is the leading Christian, church-based organisation in Britain campaigning for the rights
of the Palestinian people and for a just peace in Israel/Palestine.
Lichfield Foodbank – part of the national movement which provides help for local people in
crisis.
Places of Welcome – part of the network of local community groups providing their
neighbourhood with places where all people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute.
Reports on the activities of these groups are produced for the Annual General Meeting and can
be found on the website.
The following groups have also been supported over the last seven years but have either
stopped operating or are no longer supported:-
Ecumenical Youth Groups – Resonate and The Zone – two ecumenical youth group initiatives.
Fairtrade Lichfield Committee – set up to obtain Fairtrade City status for Lichfield.
Keswick in Lichfield – this group became a Charitable Trust.
Lichfield Christian Aid Committee – support has now been transferred to the Lichfield
Christian Aid Action Group.
Lichfield Churches Justice Forum – this group changed its name and formed two sub groups,
one of which is Late Night Listeners.
Lichfield Emergency Night Shelter – For two years a successful night shelter was organised for
the homeless based in local churches.
5. Recurring Activities. The annual programme of events for CTL has been:
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Preacher Exchange and Service of Prayer, Praise and
Thanksgiving.
Lent Groups – Home groups meeting to study a chosen Lent book.
Good Friday – Morning Walk of Witness and Services, and Evening Reflection in Lichfield
Cathedral.
Thy Kingdom Come – Services in connection with this event which takes place between
Ascension and Pentecost.
Lichfield Bower – A tent has been organised in Beacon Park staffed by volunteers from
different churches providing entertainment and activities for children.
Mystery Plays – In conjunction with Lichfield Mysteries members of different churches have
taken part in Mystery Plays.
Forum Meetings in late January/early February and October.
Annual General Meeting in June.
6. Other Events. A performance of Stefan Smart’s stunning one man show ‘I am Mark’ was
organised at St. Mary’s Church in 2017 and was well attended. Unfortunately a repeat
performance at Lichfield Cathedral in 2020 had to be cancelled due to the covid pandemic.
7. AGM and Forum Speakers. Since 1999 we have used the AGM and Forum Meetings as an
opportunity to hear a variety of speakers on Ecumenical or other Christian topics. In the last
few years there have been talks on many local, national and international topics:-
Robert Mountford – Robert is the Ecumenical Mission Officer for Staffordshire and the
Potteries, gave us a perspective on the state of the ecumenical movement both nationally and
locally.
The Rev’d Linda Collins – Linda from St. Michael’s Church, outlined plans for a dementia
friendly Memory Café in Lichfield, which was subsequently set up at the Methodist Church and
is still operating successfully.
David Barnes – David is a Dementia Friends Champion from the Alzheimer’s Society gave a talk
entitled ‘Lichfield – Towards Dementia Friendly Community Status’.
Nigel Gann – Nigel is a founder member of the Lichfield, City of Sanctuary Group and he
outlined plans for Lichfield to become a ‘City of Sanctuary’.
David Whittaker – David is the Housing Options Manager with Lichfield District Council spoke
about ‘Homelessness – Local Authority’s Statutory Duty’.
Anthony Narain – Anthony is an Impact Team Leader with Urban Saints, and spoke about
‘Setting Up Youth Work and New Youth Projects’. He also spoke at special request at another
meeting about ‘Black Lives Matter’ and the various personal issues he had encountered.
Caroline Fellows - Caroline attends St. Chad’s Church and spoke about ‘Community Action’
after she had successfully started and run a campaign which saved a local sports facility from
being closed.
Rev’d Matt Wallace and Rev’d Richard Westwood – Matt and Richard are vicars in the
Burntwood area and spoke about the ‘Burntwood Be A Friend Group’ which was set up during
the covid pandemic and went on to receive several awards.
Warren Bardsley – Warren is a Methodist Minister and local author, and spoke on ‘A Cry For
Hope From The Christian Community In Palestine’.
Luke Olly – Luke is Energy and Environmental Manager with the Central England, Cooperative
Society gave a talk entitled ‘How You And Your Church Can Save Money, Be Green And Be
Good Stewards – A Practical Guide’. Afterwards number of churches took up this initiative.
Revd’d Dr. Gillian Straine - At the most recent Annual General Meeting Rev’d Dr. Gillian
Straine spoke about her work with the Guild of Health and Saint Raphael.
8. Passage of Information.
a. Website. We are very grateful to Peter Walker of Lichfield Methodist who developed the site
and continues to be the webmaster. We are now able to load copies of documents for
meetings on to the website. Consideration is also being given to setting up a ‘Prayer Wall’ on
the website.
b. Email Network. This was originally designed to pass on papers for meetings but is now used
more widely to disseminate information. Most is from member churches and affiliated
organisations and the remainder is from the County and District Volunteer networks.
c. Election Hustings. These have been organised at both Lichfield Cathedral and Wade Street
Church for recent election campaigns.
STRENGTHS
9. The strengths of CTL have been:
a. Participation in the life of the local community.
b. An annual programme of well publicised events with members bearing witness to their
Christian faith.
c. Major events on a regular basis to raise the profile of the Christian churches in the city and
surrounding villages.
d. A dedicated group of ecumenical Christians to drive forward our activities.
e. Support from the management groups of some member churches.
f. The passage of information by several means.
g. The ability to adapt to change – during the pandemic all the regular events still took place in
one form or another, and new events (an online Christmas Service and an Easter Sunday Prayer
Walk) were introduced. The Good Friday Service was streamed for the first time on YouTube
and was viewed by over 300 people.
h. Effective financial management which was particularly important in our dealings with the
Council in running the Lichfield Emergency Night Shelter. This initiative led to many local
homeless people being provided with accommodation by the Council.
i. Providing volunteering opportunities for members of the local community, for example over
400 people volunteered to help with the Lichfield Emergency Shelter when it was announced.
j. Besides the Council partnerships have also been established with other secular organisations
such as Lichfield Cares, Curborough Community Centre and Support Staffordshire.
CURRENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
10. The following challenges and opportunities have been identified:
a. A lack of time and energy/commitment because all the people most involved in CTL are also
heavily involved with the running of their own churches.
b. Extend the central group of organisers.
c. Set up an ecumenical youth group.
d. Draw in the population of Lichfield to our churches and to our events.
e. Move outwards to take an even greater part in the ongoing life of our local community.
f. Perform succession planning.
THE WAY FORWARD
11. There are no plans to change the basis on which CTL works.
CONCLUSION
12. We have a firm base for our ecumenical Christian life in Lichfield and District but we still
have work to do to improve the links between member churches and all who want to
volunteer.