AREA OF OPERATION
KEY Churches Together links together churches in Kingston upon Hull and East Yorkshire and the Filey/Scarborough area, following the boundary of the Archdeaconry of the East Riding

THEOLOGICAL BASIS

“KEY Churches Together unites in pilgrimage those Churches and Christian bodies in its area 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.”
This is the same as that of Churches Together In England, the national body

AIMS and FUNCTIONS:

a) enabling the churches within its area as pilgrims together in the living and sharing of the gospel, to develop mutual trust and collaboration in ministry, mission and evangelism
b) enabling the churches within its area to respond to the needs of society and to explore church and society issues
c) providing a channel of communication between the Kingston upon Hull and East Riding unitary authorities and the churches of Hull and East Riding
d) providing a point of reference and contact between other secular bodies (including the media) and the churches within its area
e) promoting, supporting and servicing local Churches Together and Local Ecumenical Partnerships
f) relating to Churches Together In England and coordinating ecumenical work and developments within its area with relevant work and developments at national level and elsewhere
g) keeping under review ecclesiastical and secular boundaries as they relate to Kingston upon Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to other churches not currently in membership which have a significant presence in the area and which accept the basis, aims and functions of KEY Churches Together.

CONSTITUTION

KEY Churches Together comprises four parts KEY Churches Together shall comprise -
A) KEY CHURCHES ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AGM
B) KEY CHURCHES EXECUTIVE
C) LOCAL ECUMENICAL ENABLERS GROUP
D) CHURCH LEADERS GROUP:

1. KEY Churches Annual Forum and AGM.

FUNCTIONS
to serve as the electoral college for electing persons to serve on the KEY Churches Executive.
to receive the Annual Report and Accounts from the Executive and from Christian organisations
operating under the aegis of KEY Churches Together
to consider for approval any changes to the KEY Churches Constitution
to provide a broad-themed inspirational meeting open to wide and diverse participation
2. KEY Churches Executive.
Functions The KEY CHURCHES EXECUTIVE shall be responsible for furthering the fulfilment of the aims and functions of KEY Churches as set out in paragraph III and in particular for:

a) planning the meetings of the KEY Churches Annual Conference and AGM
b) drawing up a common budget to finance the activities of KEYCT.
c) overseeing the KEY Churches database and website
d) overseeing the publication of any newsletters or directories
e) handling the nomination of church representatives to serve on sundry
community, local government, voluntary and partnership bodies
f) maintaining contact with and feedback from such appointed representatives
g) giving general oversight to the work of the Administrative Secretary

3. KEY Churches Local Ecumenical Enablers Group (LEEG) .
FUNCTION
To carry out the practical tasks necessary for KEY Churches Church Leaders Group to fulfil its role as a Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenism, and in particular:

i. Identifying possible areas and assisting in all steps necessary for official recognition.
ii. Convening meetings of Staffing Consultative Groups as appropriate.
iii. Ensuring there is adequate negotiation with secular and ecclesiastical authorities over matters of planning.
iv. Negotiating financial arrangements with the participating denominations.
v. Ensuring, where shared buildings are involved, that the requirements of the Sharing of Church Buildings Act are met.
vi. Giving guidance in legal, theological and disciplinary matters.
vii. Maintaining relevant links with the Group for Local Unity, local Churches Togethers, Local Ecumenical Partnerships and church leaders.
viii. Participating in the Annual Conference for County Ecumenical Officers
ix. Ensuring provision for the proper evaluation of Local Ecumenical Partnerships.

4. KEY Churches Church Leaders Group.
Functions

A) To provide a setting for deepening relationships between church leaders and for shared prayer and theological reflection

B) To function on behalf of KEY Churches Together as a Sponsoring Body by giving denominational oversight to ecumenical projects, partnerships and initiatives. The Church Leaders Group shall collaborate with the Local Ecumenical Enablers Group in the following tasks:

i. Identifying possible areas where Local Ecumenical Partnerships may arise and assisting in all steps necessary for official recognition.
ii. Advising on all appointments to the teams in such areas.
iii. Ensuring there is adequate negotiation with secular and ecclesiastical authorities over matters of planning.
iv. Negotiating financial arrangements with the participating denominations.
v. Ensuring, where shared buildings are involved, that the requirements of the Sharing of Church Buildings Act are met.
vi. Giving guidance in legal, theological and disciplinary matters.
vii. Maintaining relevant links with the Group for Local Unity, local Churches Togethers, Local Ecumenical Partnerships and church leaders.
viii. Ensuring provision for the proper evaluation of Local Ecumenical Partnerships.
ix. Reporting annually to the Ecumenical Conference

COMMUNICATING WITH THE CHURCHES

KEY Churches maintains a database of ministers and churches and distributes a quarterly newsletter to all known churches in its area, including those not as yet in formal membership. It also provides services through supplying mailing labels and including items in its newsletter. This Website www.keyct.org.uk is a recent facility designed to help churches to work more easily with each other and with society around.

OFFICERS

Chairman: Mr. David Littlewood, Minister of Hull Community Church
Vice-Chairman: Miss Melanie Meesam of SEARCH
Administrative Secretary: Mrs. Cathy Crumpton
Chairman of Local Ecumenical Enablers Group: Revd. David Perry, Vicar of Skirlaugh w. Long Riston
Examiner: Mr. P.G. Jarratt

To view a list of all the members of KEY Churches Together and their contact details, please click here.