About The ECC+C
We are working, pastoral priests who reach out to all, expressing gospel concern, striving to make the lives of God's children better in spirit and purpose. We endeavour to make relevant in a modern world, the Word of God. We try so hard to show people that to be a part of a true Christian community of 'church' is everything they have always felt it could be. People reject so much about religion but hunger for God and purpose in their lives. We accept with love everyone seeking a place at God's altar and allow a freedom of worshipful expression. We work with the Love of God, the Peace of the Risen Christ and the Unity of the Holy Spirit.
We seek to celebrate in our worship and pastoral support the saving love of God revealed in Jesus Christ and to serve Him by sharing His love to all within our local communities and beyond. We are Ecumenical Anglo-Catholics and our charism is mainly (Universal) Catholic and Franciscan but we welcome people of all traditions and denominations and are proud to call ourselves ecumenical priests. We work closely with the other Christian denominations and communities in and around England and have a merger of three Franciscan Orders.
We are a contemporary body of Christ's faithful. We are a part of The One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. While our orders originate from both The Roman and Old Catholic Churches, we also use the Book of Common Prayer, Celtic Catholic, Orthodox and other Rites depending on local needs. The Ecumenical Catholic Churches and their Communities are contemporary in their ethos but of Anglo-Catholic, and for some, Franciscan tradition.
We know that more and more people are reluctant to attend church for whatever reason. The Church of England has recognised the need for 'Fresh Expressions' within the Church as a whole, and although we respect them doing this and have strong links with with some CofE parish clergy, we have been using this ethos all along! We have always believed that our responsibility as clergy is to take the gospel and holy sacraments 'out there' to all people as well as offering weekly celebration and worship. You would be so welcome to join us. Faith without action achieves little. It is the duty of every Priest responding to God's call to reach out to all His people and serve in whatever way they can. Those called to devote their life to prayer are as much a part of a God-given mission as those called to serve their community in a practical sense. Jesus outstretched His arms towards those in pain and in need. He ministered to the sick, the lonely, the poor and the vulnerable. Jesus comforted the bereaved and offered the socially unaware a different path to tread. He opened the eyes not just of the physically blind but the spiritually blind. Jesus also prayed so hard, he sweated blood. We are all called to continue His ministry with the Holy Spirit as our guide and strength. ©NMD