2025-12-31-accounts - Churches Together In Lancashire

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Churches Together in Lancashire Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026 Reports

Chairman’s Report	Page 2
County Ecumenical Officer	Page 3
Enabling Group for Church and Environment	Page 4
Enabling Group of Social Justice & Responsibility/Health	Page 4
DEO Report	Page 6
Financial Summary for the year ending 31stDecember 2025	Page 8
Pending
Chair, Presidents and Ecumenical Officers
Prayer of commitment and unity

"πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος”

Ματθαῖος 28v19

Charity Number 1160021

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

Chairman’s Report 2025 (On behalf of the Trustees) The Revd Dr Peter Colwell

It has been a busy year for Churches Together in Lancashire since the last AGM. The Church Leaders for Lancashire have met regularly by Zoom and in person at Hyning Monastery.

There have been some changes in the gathering. We said farewell to Major David Taylor, the NW Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army and to Capt Tracy Collis who often represented Major David at the meetings. Major David has retired to Preston whilst Captain Tracy has been relocated from Morecambe with Carnforth to Bolton with Farnworth. Major David Evans, the Territorial Ecumenical Support Worker came to Hyning to lead a service of thanksgiving for their ministry to us in Lancashire. We are delighted to welcome Majors Ian and Tracey Mountford as the new NW Divisional Leaders. Majors Ian and Tracey have already engaged in number of Churches Together in Lancashire events since July. Fr Jonathan Hemming, Antiochian Orthodox, has stepped down, the Revd Clare Downing, Moderator of the NW Synod URC retires in June, the Revd Brian Drury NWBA retires this year and Roy Stephenson, Quaker, also retires.

We enjoyed a high profile at the Churches Together in England Forum, which was led by our County Ecumenical Officer, the Revd Anton Müller who also represents the Northwest of England on the Enabling Group of CTE.

The Church Tent once again enjoyed a prominent position at the Royal Lancashire Show. Fifteen charitable organisations with a shared concern for farming and rural communities came together in the Church Tent. These included the Christian Police Association who were joined by the Police Rural Task Force. The Church Tent was visited by Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett and the Mayor and Mayoress of Ribble who spent time with all of the organisations.

Major Ian and Tracey Mountford led the Church in the Field service with music led by the Blackburn Band of the Salvation Army and members of the Balderstone Brass Band.

In September, to mark the 1700[th] Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Churches Together in Lancashire in partnership with Blackburn Cathedral, hosted a weekend conference. The keynote address was delivered with immense energy by Professor Rachael Muers, Chair of Divinity at Edinburgh University this; was followed by six ecumenical responses across the range of our Christian tradition. Workshops on the Saturday culminated in an ecumenical gathering which was a celebration of the faith we share through words and music. The Church of England’s National Adviser for Ecumenism, the Revd Canon Dr Jeremy Morris preached at the Sunday Eucharist.

Lancashire Carers Sing Christmas took place on December 18[th] with Radio Lancashire which included this some very moving accounts of those caring for those living with Dementia.

And finally, a review of the work of Churches Together in Lancashire is taking place, led by the former County Ecumenical Officer for Devon, the Revd Paul Snell. The Trustees will share the outcome of this review later in the year. As also our grateful thanks to our Lancashire Ecumenical Officer, Anton Muller, the team of DEOs and all those work for unity through our network of local groups around the County.

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

The County Ecumenical Officer’s Report The Revd Anton Müller MA

It has been another busy year packed with ecumenical activities, events and programmes. Over the year I have taken services at Penwortham URC and preached at the Penwortham Gala. I enjoyed preaching at the Churches Together in North Blackburn gathering for the 2025 Week Prayer service at St Silas.

The high point for me personally was to lead the Churches Together in England Forum held in March at Swanwick, home of the Swanwick Declaration in 1989 that established the present ecumenical instruments in place today.

The Forum took place under the title “One but not the same – celebrating diversity and living with difference.” The full programme can be found here: https://cte.org.uk/about/about-cte/forum/2025-forum/followup/ where you can view an excellent short video that captures the mood of the programme. I was particularly delighted to welcome and introduce Professor David Wilkinson who spoke on the opportunities and challenges of AI. David and I were undergraduates at Grey College Durham in the last century!

The Lancashire delegates were The Revd Stephen Brown, DEO for the Archdeaconry of Blackburn, Captain Tracy Collis, DEO and Church Leader representative for the NW Division of the Salvation Army. Fr Paul Cannon & Sharon Beech (Diocese of Salford), Deacon Pru Cahill (NWE Methodist District). The Revd Kevin Huggett (URC NW Synod) was the Forum Director of Music. The Revd Dr Peter Colwell attended for CTBI. Bishop Anderson Jeremiah, formerly lecturer in Religious Studies at Lancaster University is now a Trustee of CTE, gave a keynote address in place of Justin Welby following his resignation.

The Church Tent at the Royal Lancashire was populated with fifteen charities that share a concern and commitment to supporting farming rural communities. The photo report can be viewed here: https://www.ctlancashire.org.uk/gs/data/uploads/documents/royal-lancashireshow/the-2025-church-tent-at-the-royal-lancashire-show-report.pdf

If funding permits, we hope to be able to take part again with a special emphasis on the role of rural policing and the work of the rural task force.

The 1700[th] Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea event held at Blackburn Cathedral was excellent which brought together a fabulous line up of the most brilliant speakers and contributors. You can read all about it here:

https://www.ctlancashire.org.uk/1700th-anniversary-of-the-council-of-niceaconference-12th-14th-september-2025/

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

Ecumenical Christmas 2025

Churches Together in Lancashire representatives were invited to the Christian Police Association Carol Service held on Monday 8[th] December at All Saints Church Preston. The music was led by the Preston Band of the Salvation Army. Major Ian Mountford played in the Band (BBb), I enjoyed playing the Euphonium. Major Tracey Mountford and the Revd Darren Holland, NW Synod Ecumenical Officer each gave one of the readings.

Lancashire Carers Sing Christmas took with place on the 18[th] December, live from the studio of Radio Lancashire. The music was led by the Blackburn Band of the Salvation Army. Major Ian Mountford gave a short message of hope at Christmas. Other guests included Singing for the Brain, a dementia charity led by Julie Hesketh, Angela Bennett of Carers Link, Graham Whittam of Resolve Poverty, Roger Dugdale, Trustee of “Field Nurses” took part with Field Nurse Janet Thomas; Canon James Lawrence spoke about the enormous role of the Cathedral as host to many carol services for different community organisations. Bishop Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley gave the Blessing. We hope to out there again for Christmas 2026.

Local Groups Partnership Working

Ecumenism is local! I engage with all seventy of our local groups around the county with regular E-News and visits when invited. I welcome such invitations and also appreciate any news of local group activities which I can there share across the network.

The Enabling Group for Environment is developing well under the guidance of Dave Champness. We have met in person and online. In October the group partnered with Blackburn Cathedral for a “Care for Creation” event. The keynote speaker was Canon Dr Ruth Valerio.

The Enabling Group for Social Justice & Responsibly is covered by the work being done by Dr Peter Lumsden and Mike Hart (NW Synod URC) who are making progress with various NHS bodies and Social Prescribers. With the Revd Mark Cowling of “Gather” they organised a “Gather Summit” which brought together a wide range of caring organisations to share information and network. This was held recently at For information on the “Lancashire Movement for Recovery” please follow this link: https://movementforrecovery.com/lancashire/

Ensuring a future for skilled ecumenical work

From February 1[st] will be taking a period of Study Leave/Sabbatical in order to progress the work with the Common Awards Ecumenical Module for lay and ordained ministerial training. This has now been accepted by Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford. I will also be working with the Scottish Episcopal institute and the Society for Ecumenical studies.

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

Priorities for 2026

Priorities remain the same but will also be informed and modified following completion of the Review led by the former County Ecumenical Officer for Devon, the Revd Paul Snell.

Encouraging local groups to build on their programmes and to explore the ecumenical dimension across the various ministries taking place.
Encouraging the ecumenical dimension in lay and ordained ministerial formation.
Complete the development of “Theory and Practice of Ecumenism”
Strengthening the support for each DEO by their Church Leader and creating a network of ecumenical contacts in each denomination across the County.
• Developing the civic and community relationships through the creation, support and development of enabling groups around key issues and network partnerships.
Continue to build up the directory of recognised Independent Free Churches.
Continue to identify and build relationship with BAME led churches.
Identify and support young adults/youth in ecumenism linked to the CTE Bill Snelson Fund for young ecumenists. Linked to this is to have greater involvement in Surfstage, youth and young adult pilgrimages

Events in 2026

Diocese of Blackburn Centenary The Diocese of Blackburn is planning a programme for its centenary year.

3[rd] -5[th] July Surfstage: All Age Christian Festival at Parbold – this has the potential to be the Greenbelt of the North.

3[rd] 5[th] July Royal Lancashire Show: We hope to be present again. The Church Tent will host a range of partner organisations with a particular focus this year on the role of rural policing to advise and protect vulnerable rural and farming communities.

Autumn 2026 “Harmful Religion” – a wide reaching conference hosted by Blackburn Cathedral exploring issues of physical, social, emotional and spiritual abuse in the church context.

December 2026 Lancashire Carers Sing Christmas with Radio Lancashire

We hope to run this again as we continue to focus on those who go the extra mile to care for others at Christmas

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

CTE NW Regional County Ecumenical Officer Meeting 22 JANUARY 2026

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Northwest Region
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This group meets three or four times a year to give updates from the various Churches Together county-groups in the North West. It’s always a joy to gather for the encouragement it brings.

We were warmly and generously hosted by our dear friends Mel & Steve Scoulding at the Salvation Army Carlisle Citadel on Abbey Street. Many of us have known them for years as friends and ecumenical colleagues, and we will be sad to see them leave Carlisle later in 2026.

Also gathered there were: Anton Muller (CT Lancashire), Elisabeth Hachmoeller (Merseyside & Cheshire), Alan Kennedy (Greater Manchester), Peter Colwell (Chair of CT Lancs & Dep. Gen. Sec. CTBI), Darren Holland (Ecumenical Officer, URC NW Synod), and Jo Phillips (Cumbria).

Darren shared some devotions with us from Ephesians 4:1-6 (also in use in this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity) – and we prayerfully discussed different approaches to baptism, and its resonance in an ecumenical setting.

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when

This year will see the retirement of Clare Downing and the new nominated URC NW Synod Moderator, Mike Thomason taking up the role. Conversation continues around possible restructuring.

CTBI are working on a new Interfaith Toolkit. More information and resources can be found on their webpage – and you’ll find the Toolkit there when it is launched - Inter Faith - CTBI

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

We’re grateful for the CTBI Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources we’ve been – using focussing on Armenia. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 One Body – One Spirit Churches Together in England Next year’s will come from Ireland, and following year, from Cuba.

Last year CT in Merseyside celebrated Faith in the City’s 40[th] anniversary. This year they have been hard at work with a Manifesto for Hope, reviewing the call for justice, compassion and unity, based on a regional research survey.

In Greater Manchester, they are busy planning their annual assembly which will take place in Salford cathedral, focussing on the Quiet Revival. They also look forward to a Pentecost service in Sale, to be held at the Salvation Army Citadel.

CT Lancashire gave updates on the great work in their stand at the Royal Lancashire Show, and the plans to enable continued ministry there this year. They also reported on how they partnered with the cathedral in the planning of the ecumenical Nicaea ‘ ’ Creed conference in Blackburn in September last year. Nicaea: Now and Then – conference report – Churches Together in England. We also heard how two young adults from Lancashire have been granted CTE Snelson Fund grants enabling ecumenical experiences abroad.

– First Snelson Fund grants of 2026 announced Churches Together in England In Cumbria, the new Community Social Action Team is taking shape, getting out to visit local branches and working on strengthening central structures and tools. Work in partnership with local authority Westmorland & Furness continues following the release of the social action audit last year, with a Faith Covenant they hope will be signed in September. There is also interest in taking a project called ‘Give a Day’ into more towns, where churches encourage locals to take time out of their lives and help the community.

Modern Slavery work continues with another Cumbria Modern Slavery Champions Network training event taking place in May in Workington, with input from Streetlight UK and the Clewer Initiative’s new CEO.

Please continue to hold our regional ecumenical Church family in your prayers as we journey together in pursuit and practice of Christian unity.

Jo Phillips, Community Social Action Team Member and Modern Slavery Lead Churches Together in Cumbria

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31st December 2025 Held by Zoom on 261h February 2026 CHURCHES TOGETHER Financial Report

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

Churches Together in Lancashire Chair & Presidents & Trustees

https://www.ctlancashire.org.uk/whos-who/

The Revd Dr Peter Colwell Deputy General Secretary, CTBI Chair

The Revd Anton Müller MA County Ecumenical Officer Secretary

The Rt Revd John Arnold, (Fr Peter Hopkinson VG) Catholic Diocese of Salford (Trustee)

DEO Fr Paul Cannon

The Rt Revd Tom Neylon (Canon Peter Stanley) Archdiocese of Liverpool Lancashire Deanery

DEO Canon Peter Stanley

The Rt Revd Paul Swarbrick Catholic Diocese of Lancaster (Trustee) Orthodox Church Vacant

DEO Fr Peter Burns

DEO Fr Ciprian Bidan (Romanian Orthodox)

The Rt Revd Philip North Diocese of Blackburn (Trustee)

DEO The Revd Stephen Brown

The Rt Revd Dr Jill Duff Diocese of Blackburn

DEO The Revd Gary Lewis

The Rt Revd Dr Joe Kennedy Diocese of Blackburn

Free Church of England

Rep: The Revd Tony Ford Holy Trinity, Oswaldtwistle

The Revd Phil Jump (The Revd Brian Drury) North West Baptist Association

DEO The Revd Brian Drury (Trustee)

The Revd Dr James Tebbutt North West England Methodist District District Chair

Annual General Meeting for the year ending 31[st] December 2025 Held by Zoom on 26[th] February 2026

The Revd Sharon Read North West England Methodist District Lancashire Mission Area Lead (Trustee)

DEO The Revd Stuart Wild

The Revd Clare Downing (The Revd Darren Holland United Reformed Church NW Synod

DEO The Revd Daleen Ten Cate NW Synod Ecumenical Officer)

Major Ian Mountford Major Tracey Mountford Northwest Division Salvation Army

DEO Vacant

Roy Stephenson Lancashire Quakers (Trustee)

DEO Ian Marshall

Churches Together in Lancashire is an Intermediate Body of Churches Together in England. https://cte.org.uk/

A prayer of commitment and unity

We as part of the whole Christian Church in Lancashire confess our faith in One God, the Father, Creator, the Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit, guiding His Church, the Body of Christ, into all truth.

We repent of all that is wrong in our past histories and present attitudes. We rejoice in the riches of the traditions we have inherited and seek to share them more fully with one another in the unity which is the will and gift of God.

We commit ourselves to deepening our fellowship with Christ and with one another so that we may know, understand and value each other and together seek through prayer God's will for His people.

We will seek to work together in pastoral care and mission as we reach out with the love of God to the people of Lancashire.

Amen