‍

Fr Aidan Murray OSB and Provost Emeritus Tony Churchill attended the Churches Together in England (CTE) Forum in Swanwick in March. The event, which takes place every three years, provided a unique opportunity for more than 300 members of the CTE family to worship, attend seminars and workshops, and build relationships, with an address from Bishop Mike Royal, CTE General Secretary, and keynote presentations from senior Christian leaders, including the President of the World Council of Churches, Rev Dr Susan Durber.

Participants were offered a variety of worship experiences from different traditions and encouraged to choose something unfamiliar and new to them, with the event's Marketplace - showcasing Charities and Networks in Association with CTE - sharing information and opportunities for advocacy, education and ministry.

On the main stage, an engaging succession of speakers explored a vision of unity from their unique perspectives, with the second presentation on the first day exploring what synodality looks like in different traditions, led by CTE President, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Nikitas, and Elaine Green from Quakers in Britain.

Reflecting after the conference, Fr Aidan said:

‍

“My journey to the Forum was itself an ecumenical activity as I shared a car with the Sussex representatives of the Methodist and URC churches and, at Swanwick, met up with representatives of churches in Surrey. It was impressive and encouraging to meet with church leaders and representatives of many different Christian traditions.  The number of ‘young ecumenists’ was also noticeable.

“Encouraging younger members of our churches to be involved in ecumenical activity has been a priority for Churches Together in England who have established the ‘Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund’ which awards grants to young ecumenists (between the ages of 18 and 35), enabling them to experience ecumenism outside England. This experience can be study, pilgrimage, volunteering, or any activity that promotes church unity. The short video here will gives an insight into the spirit of the three days; Christian churches building relationships and working together, with many of the same concerns and hopes.”

‍

‍

You can click the button below to access resources from the forum on the CTE website.

‍With thanks to Fr Aidan for sharing this story with us.‍