Växjö-Oxford Diocesan Partnership

Covenant
	We, the Diocese of Växjö in the Church of Sweden and the Diocese of Oxford in the Church of England, rejoicing in the faith which we share and recognising that we are part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, that, as members together of the body of Christ, we share in God’s mission to the world for which his Son died, that our situations (as national churches in secularised western societies), our histories and our structures are similar and that we have much to learn from each other as we face the challenges and opportunities that we share, commit ourselves to a covenant of partnership within the Porvoo Communion and to making the provisions of the Porvoo Common Statement concrete reality within the life of both dioceses.
Commitments
	Accordingly, we commit ourselves: to form a fellowship of prayer, through which specific deaneries or parishes pray for each other, enabling particular congregations or individuals to form friendships, to which they would then find ways of giving concrete expression. to identify common challenges and issues facing both dioceses. to explore issues of mission and ministry where one partner has good experience to share with the other. to provide opportunities for groups from each diocese to study the other's pastoral methods in particular situations. to make provision for the use by one diocese of experts from the other to utilising the competencies that each diocese has, both locally and regionally. to provide opportunities for candidates for the priesthood and diaconate in each diocese to do pastoral work in the other’s parishes during the summer break, or to spend time studying at theological college in the other country.  to offer appropriate opportunities for those who have tasks of responsibility at diocesan or parish level in each diocese to engage in shadowing and sharing. to look at ways in which theological education and training for ministry in each diocese can be brought into the link. to send representatives to special occasions in each other’s diocese, whether as observers, or simply to share in a special moment of joy or importance. to have a process of evaluation at regular intervals to reflect on experience to date, and to decide on the future of the partnership. to accept that this partnership does not involve any financial responsibility for each other. Bishop of Oxford                                            Bishop of Växjö