County Ecumenical Officer for Churches Together in Lancashire and event organiser, Rev Anton Müller writes…
Churches Together in Lancashire, in partnership with the Canon Missioner at Blackburn Cathedral, Rev Canon James Lawrence, teamed up over the weekend of 12 to 14 September to bring together an astonishing range of theologians and church leaders from across the UK to explore the continuing legacy of the First Ecumenical Council that took place in Nicaea in 325.
The opening event was a keynote address followed by six ecumenical responses and three challenging questions skilfully chaired by the Deputy General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain & Ireland and Chair of Churches Together in Lancashire, Rev Dr Peter Colwell.
The keynote was given by Professor Rachel Muers, Chair of Divinity at Edinburgh. Rachel’s address was delivered with an energy and enthusiasm not normally associated with the study of Patristic Theology, but it captured the raw energy that must have driven that very first council in Nicaea.
The address spoke about the theology that emerged from Nicaea in 325 in the aftermath of violence and trauma. The church emerged as a body with ‘scar tissue’ with identities formed in contexts of anxiety, grief, and bitterness. In such a context, the step towards unity was huge, recognising suffering and conflict as a shared problem. In this way that First Ecumenical Council lays down the framework for the ecumenical work that is needed today.
The six ecumenical responses were given in no more than 500 words by:
- Professor Emeritus of Patristic and Byzantine Studies, Durham University, Fr Andrew Louth
- Sr Margaret Atkins, an Augustinian Canoness based at Boarbank Hall
- Anglican Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North
- Bishop Paul Hendricks, Kent Area Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Southwark
- The Director of Studies Scottish Episcopal Institute, Dr Victoria Turner
- Church of England National Ecumenical Adviser, Rev Canon Dr Jeremy Morris
On Saturday 13 September, attendees enjoyed an ecumenical service of prayer and praise, where a reflection was shared by the Kent Area Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Southwark, Rt Rev Paul Hendricks. This was followed by a series of seminars on topics such as “Faith, Belief & Gen Z”; “What about the F Word! Understanding the Filioque Clause” and “The Nuts of Bolts of Ecumenism in relation to the Anglican-Methodist Covenant.”
The weekend event closed with a Eucharist for the Festival of the Holy Cross. The sermon was preached by the Chuch of England’s National Ecumenical Adviser, Rev Canon Dr Jeremy Morris.