“The best things come to those who wait,” goes the saying. Well, I have waited for six and a half years for ‘this picture’.
The people in the photo are the Presidents of Churches Together in England. These senior leaders represent traditions across the English church. The Anglicans, Roman Catholics, the Free Churches, Pentecostals and Charismatics, the Orthodox and the Fourth Presidency Group, which is a collection of Lutherans, German-speaking churches, the Church of Scotland and the Quakers.
At CTE we’re proud that such a wide range of churches are part of ‘our family.’ We believe it is the broadest in Europe…and maybe beyond. You can read more on our website about the CTE Presidents and how they represent our national Member Churches.
Since I began working for CTE in 2020, I’ve taken my camera to many events where senior church leaders have met. Some were gatherings convened by us; at others, we were guests or participants. And every time, I never managed to capture a photo of ‘the full set’: all six Presidents in the same frame. This was never anyone’s ‘fault’. We recognise the range of demands on their time. The result is that unavoidably individuals arrive late or have to leave early. Presidents come to the end of their terms of office at different times; they might be unwell or on retreat. As senior leaders, they are all busy people with national and international responsibilities.
But then on 10 November 2026, they were all together at Lambeth Palace…and me and my camera were there too. And, to my delight, I got it! This picture of all of the six CTE Presidents together.
Well done, Sarah. Now move on.
And I was surprisingly moved by what I saw, and what this image has captured.
Please, look again at the people in this picture. Look beyond their job titles. Look at who they are and who they represent. The rich diversity of the churches in England can be seen in this photograph.
The six CTE Presidents – three women, three men. Three have white skin, three don’t. Some were born in the UK, others are from overseas. Some are viewed as progressives (both within their tradition and beyond); others are seen as conservatives. This is the variety, complexity and beauty of the English church at this moment in time.
What they represent is the churches in England working together. Meeting together, praying together and growing in relationship with each other. What unites them is so much bigger than what divides them. They represent the diverse body of Christ. United by a love of God and of neighbour and a commitment to common witness “so that the world may believe” John 17:21.