County Ecumenical Officer for Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney, Dr Ian Watson, writes…
September 2024 involved two firsts for me as County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney. It was my first time visiting the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick Derbyshire, and it was the first time I have attended the All-Ecumenical Representatives Conference organised by Churches Together in England (CTE).
It was a truly uplifting and amazing experience to be in fellowship with more than 90 national, denominational and county ecumenical representatives. I must admit that after taking early retirement I thought my days at a corporate-style conference venue were (happily) behind me. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the Hayes conference centre and enjoyed the surroundings, hospitality and stay very much.
The theme for this year’s conference was Ecumenism: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally. It was a three-day programme with a wide range of contributors covering various inputs: from what it means to think globally and act locally, the ecumenical council of Nicaea, bible study, linking the work of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to local action; to sharing local efforts for progressing Christian unity, and hearing of the experience of those who were recipients of the Bill Snelson fund for young ecumenists; ending with thoughts on peace and reconciliation.
To hear from so many different people on their experiences and perspectives of thinking globally and acting locally, enhanced my own thinking and understanding on this important challenge. Within the context of the changing face of Christianity across the globe (where it is reducing dramatically in Europe but growing rapidly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia) how we respond locally (together) to global issues is a pressing issue facing all our churches.
For me, the joy of the conference was not only in the content of the sessions, what made it special was the opportunities (both formally and informally) to network with others actively engaged in the work of Christian unity. I found the young adults in attendance especially inspiring. I also enjoyed the several worship and prayer sessions, and it was a blessing to experience these from the perspective of different church traditions.
Receptiveness and transformation
Personally, the theme of the conference helped me relate the idea of thinking globally and acting locally with a more integrated approach to ecumenism which brings together the concepts of receptiveness and transformation; an approach I am gently trying to encourage across Norfolk and Waveney.
Thinking globally and acting locally means sticking with receptive ecumenism to strengthen relationships, build understanding and trust. This then provides the foundation to take more of those transformative and practical steps to act together in our local communities.
By thinking globally, we have the reasons that create the conditions to act (together) locally. And when we act together as Christians, we truly become a community that embodies the love of Christ in bringing more people to the Church and helping to address the many social, psychological, economic, health and environmental challenges we face in modern secular society. When we act together, no matter the tradition one belongs to, we become a shining example of God’s love and Christian unity in our communities and beyond.
Christian unity as a counter-narrative
The conference reinforced my view that in a world which emphasises individualism, Christian unity serves as a counter-narrative by showing our commitment to the common good. In this sense, ecumenical working provides a platform for local collaboration to tackle those pressing global issues, as well as amplifying Christ’s message of hope and transformation.
I do not think these thoughts are new. As we touched on in the conference sessions covering the Council of Nicaea and the bible study on ecumenism, the early church leaders recognised the significance of unity for the health and mission of the Christian community. Their writings and teachings (thinking globally) continue to inspire contemporary ecumenical efforts aimed at fostering mutual understanding and collaboration (acting locally) among different Christian traditions.
Video presentations from the conference
The First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea – World Council of Churches President (Europe) Rev Dr Susan Durber
How does the work of the WCC relate to local ecumenism? – Rev Dr Susan Durber
Read and download Susan’s slides.
Young Ecumenists panel – hearing from recipients of The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund
The panel members were Dr John Stayne, Rebecca Boardman and Ellmina Mckenzie. The panel was chaired by Min Shermara Fletcher-Hoyte