Show menuInterim Covenant between the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Canada
Dialogue: United Methodist-United Church of Canada
Date published: May 9, 2026
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The United Methodist Council of Bishops and leaders of the United Church of Canada, at separate meetings this spring, each approved an interim covenant that mutually affirms both denominations’ clergy and opens the door to greater cooperation across national borders.
The covenant also declares the leaders’ intention to propose a formal relationship between the two denominations to their top policymaking bodies — the United Methodist General Conference and the Canadian church’s General Council. Both assemblies are next set to meet in 2028.
The denominations’ leaders see the interim agreement as a crucial step towards full communion, which would allow clergy from one denomination to serve in the other.
“This interim covenant deepens a friendship in Christ that allows the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Canada to walk more closely together in witness, worship and shared mission for the sake of a world God so loves,” said Council of Bishops President Ruben Saenz Jr. He is also bishop of the Horizon Texas Conference.
The Council of Bishops approved the interim covenant April 28 at its spring meeting in Jacksonville, Florida. The United Church’s General Council Executive, the denomination’s decision-making body between General Council meetings, approved the agreement at its online May 8-9 meeting.
