The Methodist Conference 2005 entered the third day on Monday with the agenda highlighting the first ecumenical report on the Anglican-Methodist Covenant prepared by the Joint Implementation Commission (JIC). Methodist leaders have warmly welcomed the report.

The historical Anglican-Methodist Covenant was signed on 1st November 2003. It commits both the Church of England and the Methodist Church of Great Britain to finding practical ways of working more closely together.

JIC, which is made up of six Anglicans, six Methodists and a participant observer from the United Reformed Church (URC). They have been commissioned to produce a report on the scriptural and theological reflections over the Covenant as well as the possible practical ways forward for both churches to work together.

The Revd David Deeks, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, said, "The aim of this report is both to celebrate what the Covenant has already achieved, and to stimulate discussion, prayer and action on what more our churches and peoples can do together. We will continue to explore what Covenant means, and to find ways that we can work together with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Church of England."

The JIC report acknowledges that, despite the historic shared roots of the two churches, the custom and practice of the two churches has developed in different ways. Two obvious differences were addressed - the use of bread and wine and lay people presidency in communion services.

Rather than suggesting specific resolutions to these issues, the report will help frame the debate so that members from both churches can understand and respond to them, the Conference has stressed once again.

The Revd Peter Sulston, Methodist co-convenor of the JIC said, "In Priorities for The Methodist Church we say that we will work in partnership with others wherever possible, and we celebrate all the links and projects we share with other churches. But the Covenant is a particularly significant partnership. It is already demonstrating how two separate churches can work effectively together for the sake of our common mission."

"It is also providing a framework for re-energising the historic links between Methodism and the Church of England. I hope that I hope that in every part of both churches we will take the stories and suggestions in the report to heart, and be inspired to discover further ways of implementing the Covenant and growing together again."

The JIC report is also expected to be presented at the General Synod of the Church of England on 8th-12th July in York.

The JIC will make a further report to both the Methodist Conference and the General Synod of the Church of England in 2008 after gathering more opinions from the Church through the interim report.

The Methodist Conference 2005 is currently taking place from 25-30 June at the Riviera Centre, Torquay. Yesterday's conference also featured a report from the Methodist Youth Conference, General Secretary's report, and some other administrative items.