Young Christian adults are a high priority for Churches Together in England. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are often the leaders of today and bring great energy to revitalise the church.
CTE follows the World Council of Churches (WCC) definition of young adults as being aged 35 and under.
“Young people, 35 years old and below, have experienced exclusion from decision-making bodies…and intergenerational differences have generated mistrust. Young people – both in church and society – have been at the forefront of social, political, economic, and environmental issues while creating their own spaces of dialogue to confront such realities.”
WCC (2021)
In a generation that resists and can be suspicious of institutionalism, it is important that young adults seek and maintain relationships beyond their denomination to strengthen their Christian witness and their Christian identity. Ecumenism is a great way to do this.
CTE is intentionally engaging with a cohort of young ecumenists. We do this through three principal strands:
- Integrating young adults into the life and decision-making processes of CTE
- The Bill Snelson Fund for Young Ecumenists, a grant programme enabling ecumenical experiences abroad
- Relationship building through our Young Ecumenists Group and offering writing opportunities for CTE publications
Recent CTE news stories about young adults and ecumenism
Ecumenism is the way forward
Snelson Fund awardee Jack Woodruff, reflects on his time at the 2024 conference of the European branches of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Meet the Snelson Fund awardees from Spring 2024
Seven young ecumenists have been awarded grants by The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund.
Young voices on the climate crisis – Tuesday 21 May at 6pm
Join us on Tuesday 21 May, 6 – 7pm for the latest webinar in the Ecumenism: The Next Generation series.
‘Remaining present and engaged in a fragile world’
Recipient of The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund, Sarah Crane, reflects on her time in the Czech Republic at a European healthcare chaplaincy conference.
Education Sunday 2024
Education Sunday will be marked by the churches on 8 September 2024.
Communion, cakes and a holy cacophony of Christian voices
Sam Rigby, a recipient of a grant from The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund, shares highlights from his visit to the World Council of Churches and the Hautecombe Discipleship School.
Find out more about the Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund which opens for applications in September 2023.
Main photo credit: RC Diocese of East Anglia at World Youth Day 2023.