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A Vision of Christian Unity for the Next Generation
A Major Conference hosted by the Society for Ecumenical Studies,
the Newman Association, and the Christian Study Centre of St Albans Abbey
The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury - click here to read the full address
Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity - click here to read the full address
The Revd Elizabeth Welch, Moderator of the United Reformed Church 2001-2 and Central Committee member of the WCC 1991-8 - click here to read the full address
Elaine Appelbee, Director of the Bradford Health Action Zone, and former the Anglican Bishop of Bradford's Officer for Church in Society
Bishop Joe Aldred, a bishop in the Church of God of Prophecy, Director of the Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership at the University of Birmingham 1996-2002
(Click here to read Bishop Joe's sermon.)
Dr Tina Beattie, Catholic academic, Digby Stuart College, University of Surrey at Roehampton
Click here to read the transcript of the afternoon discussion and questions
A video recording of the day's proceedings is available for £18 (plus £1-50 p&p) from MEDIA INK, 28 Waveney Road, St Albans, Herts AL3 5PE. Tel. 01727 762793, or email here.
A CD recording of highlights of the speeches is available for £8 (including p&p) from The Revd John Bradley, Churches Together in England, Churches Together in England, 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH. Tel. 020 7529 8141, fax 020 7529 8134
The day's addresses and discussions have been published by the Christian Studies Centre at St Albans. Further details are available from The Secretary, Centre for Christian Studies, St Albans Cathedral, Minster Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY. Tel. 01727 890205, or email here.
Purpose
A range of distinguished speakers explored a vision of Christian Unity for the next generation. All the addresses are available on this website (see above, and the link to the Papers page.
Everyone is happy to affirm that Christian Unity is important, but in reality progress is slow and often churches seem to have become focused only on the theological and institutional issues.
There is a need for renewed energy in all aspects of the search for unity, and a new emphasis on a shared experience of prayer, social action, engagement with the Bible, and the expression of the gospel in and through the creative arts.
The conference aimed to stimulate, encourage and inspire a renewed commitment to discovering a form of unity which is practical and achievable in the next generation. We are confident that this significant event has now set the Christians of this country on a fresh spiritual quest to seek together the face of God which is being shown to us.Format
Three prepared addresses were delivered in the morning, while the afternoon session led to a wide-ranging discussion between the three speakers and three panellists of distinctive experience. Questions from the floor caused searching explorations of progress towards Eucharistic sharing and intercommunion, the role of the Petrine ministry for churches which will no longer be separated but rich in diversity and pluriformity, the need for unity in a a broken and needy society, the importance of Christian Unity for the sake of the unity of all humanity, relations with other faiths, the vital importance of ensuring that the voices of women, black Christians and the lay people are registered in the movement of the church into the future.The closing act of worship was a glorious celebration of the best of the Anglican Choral Evensong tradition. It included a powerful new hymn by Fred Kaan, the proclamation of the gospel by Bishop Angelaos of the Coptic Orthodox Church, a reaffirmation of our unity in the sacrament of Baptism led by Bishop Christopher Herbert of St Albans, and a challenging sermon from Bishop Joe Aldred. Click here to read Bishop Joe's sermon. A copy of this liturgy will be available on the site soon.
Programme
10-30
Welcome & opening prayers
10-45
The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams
11-20
The Revd Elizabeth Welch
11-55
Cardinal Walter Kasper
12-30
Break for Lunch
14-00
Panel Discussion - the three speakers are joined by Dr Tina Beattie, Bishop Joe Aldred and Elaine Appelbee
15-45
Break for refreshments
16-30
Ecumenical Choral Evensong; preacher - Bishop Joe Aldred - Click here to read the sermon.
The conference brought together over 900 people interested in Christian Unity. It was generously supported by the Newman Centre Trust and the Jerusalem Trust.
Weekend Consultation at London Colney for members of the Society
For members of the Society for Ecumenical Studies the St Albans event formed part of a weekend based at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney. Click here to read the report of the weekend.