This May, the Enabling Group of Churches Together in England met not long after an inspiring Forum. Many of the representatives carried with them the feelings companionship and co-operation from that meeting as we gathered at High Leigh Conference Centre.
The meeting was made all the more exciting as sessions were interrupted by the announcement of the election of the Pope. Whilst Cardinal Prevost was a new face to many of the representatives, there was a feeling of communal joy when the announcement was made and when we were able to pray God’s blessing on Pope Leo XIV.
Although, ostensibly, a business meeting the actual business of the Enabling Group took but a short time on the second day of the gathering, hurried on, as it was, by the top table. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to hear our treasurer, Pastor Rasaq Ibrahim, report that the finances of the organisation are in good shape and the planned budget is, essentially, going as planned.
The non-business part of the meeting focused on the seventeen-hundredth anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. It was interesting and illuminating to find that while nobody questioned the content of the Creed, the actual use of the Creed as a liturgical tool varied from weekly to just being aware that it existed.
CTBI General Secretary Dr Nicola Brady offered a reflection on the significance of the Nicene anniversary for today’s church
For me, especially illuminating was the contribution made by Father Michael Lambros from the Coptic Orthodox Church. I have not had much exposure to the Orthodox Church and his presentation on what was happening to the Egyptian Church between the resurrection and the Council of Nicaea was all new to me and very interesting.
There were also short presentations from a range of national Member Churches:
- Bishop Mike Royal – representing the Apostolic Pastoral Congress
- Rowena Loverance – representing the Quakers
- Rev Dr Jeremy Morris – representing the Church of England
- Elliot Vanstone – representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Visit the Nicaea hub to read more about the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council.
Some of ecumenism’s work comes from better understanding how other denominations see the world and operate in it. This time, two denominational representatives explained their churches’ modus operandi.
Trevor Howard introduced us to the group Churches in Communities International and explained how a disparate group of independent churches comes together for mutual support and co-operation. To me this is a very different way of working.
Charles Chipere told us about the energetic and growing ministry of the Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministries. Not only is their work as a growing network in the UK, but so too is their international reach some of which is in long-standing churches and some of which is the result of new congregations coming together.
As ever, the interaction during meals and breaks is very important, and it is inspiring to see interdenominational connections being established and friendships being made.
Church of Scotland (Presbytery of England & The Channel Islands) is a national Member Church of Churches Together in England (CTE).
Learn more about the CTE Enabling Group.