We are a people-focused Community Church within a reformed tradition. We are progressive but Gospel-led Christians. The ECC+C is categorised as 'Free' Church but in full acknowledgement of its inextricable link with the first Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church via the Apostolic Succession.
The ECC+C oversees a number of pastoral and prayerful ministries around England. We believe God reveals Himself to us via Christ's love and not through man-made dogma. We aim to care for the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of people at their point of need.
We are not 'Parish' Priests in a traditional sense as we manage a number of dedicated and specific chaplaincies and ministries. We also concern ourselves both practically and prayerfully with the health of our planet and every living creature within it.
If you would like to speak to a representative from our church, please call us on 01590 624731.
As one of the less well known corners of the Reformed Catholic world, we play an important role in helping to provide people who are unchurched (or those who feel disenfranchised from Organised Religion) with a fresh path to Christianity. For years we have aimed to continue the work of the Apostles by transforming lives through the Gospel by how we communicate with people - and not what we preach to them. We share with every single church in the world, a universal 'Catholic' history and bring together Reformed Catholics, Lutherans and other Protestant (Open and Free) traditions. We are committed towards meeting the pastoral and spiritual needs of our local communites to the best of our abilities.
Bereavement Rescue is an outreach project founded by Most Revd Rod Walton and Revd Dr Caroline Wilkins in the New Forest. We have recently re-developed our website and are in the process of adding more and more content. We provide free bereavement support and grief counselling at the point of need.
The New Forest Franciscans have been crocheting nests for the animal rescues in Australia who are caring for the animal victims of the massive Australian bush fires. It is thought that around a billion animals have lost their lives so far in the fires. The animal rescues are in need of all kinds of help including these items, vetinerary supplies and donations.
These nests were made, prayed over by both Revd Caroline and Archbishop Rod - and then were delivered to a local hub where they will join the efforts of many others and get sent on to Australia, using a network of kind people who take them in their bags when they fly to Australia. The response of the public to this crisis has been incredible and inspiring. We are proud to play our tiny part in it.
Having only recently learned to make these nests, Revd Caroline will now make some for New Forest Wildlife Rescue. Anyone who would like to join her in this would be very welcome and much appreciated!
The New Forest Franciscans are a tertiary order of Franciscans within the Ecumenical Community Church. Our ministry involves helping all of God's creation wherever possible. This year, our Christmas appeal is for the sponsorship of rescued Turkeys. We have friendships with various animal rescue organisations throughout the UK and try to do a little to help each of them where we can. One of these rescue organisations, Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, has an opportunity to rescue turkeys from slaughter.
New Forest Franciscans have sponsored the rescue of a turkey. Why not join us in supporting this rescue mission? It's not often that you get the opportunity to save a life so directly - at a cost of just £25.
Click here to sponsor a turkey!
The Christmas Turkey rescue was a great success. Here is Frances, the turkey we sponsored the rescue of, named after our patron! We love you Frances!
Below is a genuine plea asking for urgent prayers for members of the society of Saint Vincent de Paul - (families helping Syrians in need) who have been kidnapped alongside other Christians in Syria. The threats towards these hostages and their children are horrendous. Please pray fervently for them tonight.
Blessings and love
URGENT NEWS…from John Freund CM
From our Curia in Rome…
From Sister Monique, via Filles de la Charite, PARIS
Late Sunday afternoon on 1 March 2015, I received a message from M. Francoise, a delegate of the International Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and I managed to reach her by telephone.
She was leaving for Paris, and collapsed at the news she had just received: members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Syria were kidnapped, along with their wives and children. The children were isolated and …put into cages. Adults who do not deny their faith will be decapitated, and their children burned alive in the cages. M. Francoise had been in regular contact with several of them before all this occurred. She asked me to transmit the news and make a fervent appeal for prayers for these people, and all who are held hostage.
Let us remain fervently united in prayer, and have as our intention the welfare of all brothers and sisters in our Christian faith who are being held hostage
http://vincentians.org.au
Last year one of our priests, Revd Dr Caroline WIlkins, took a leading role in a campaign to prevent the closure of a local dementia home, Cranleigh
Paddock. The campaign was successful and the home remained open. Revd Caroline was invited to become chaplain to Cranleigh Paddock and greatly enjoys visiting and ministering there.
Today was the annual Christmas Carol Concert and Revd Caroline joined the staff choir and gave a blessing at the end. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and brought much pleasure to the elderly residents, with many of them joining in the singing and even getting up to dance with the care staff.
These activities bring so much enrichment to the residents, engaging them and bringing life and activity to them. The level of love and caring at ths special dementia home creates a comforting and much richer life than is sometimes otherwise provided to dementia patients. Little miracles and breakthroughs sometimes happen and today was such a day. A lady who had thus far been very unengaged and introverted with her dementia starting singing, laughing and smiled for the first time - and then spoke directly to choir, all of which was a big breakthrough and a wonderful moment for all present.
This article by one of our priests, Revd Dr Caroline Wilkins, was published in the "Christian Comment" column of the Lymington Times on 10th August 2013.
On 13th September this year (2015), one of our Franciscan Priests, Revd Dr Caroline Wilkins, ran the New Forest Half Marathon in aid of the Donkey Sanctuary.
Caroline was inspired to run for this charity because of their important work in Morocco with Ellen Cochrane where she is persuading mule handlers to swap their cruel bits for kind headcollars and is teaching them how to work gently with their mules. Caroline said "I have seen beautiful transformations take place with these mules and their handlers and feel passionately about supporting this project and the work of the Donkey Sanctuary in general."
It was a long and challenging run, which Caroline trained for over a 2 year period. But it was worth the work and the pain! Nearly £500 was raised for the Donkey Sanctuary with additional donations going to buy 1,000 metal rings that are being used by the Women's group in Morocco to manufacture their own bitless headcollars - thus providing work and industry for the women of the village and a legacy of ethical mule equipment which will ensure that the mules in this area of Morroco are able to work free from pain and distress.
And you can read about the Donkey Sanctuary here: http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
