It was a very cold day when we met in Coventry Cathedral but, with the help of contributors from Germany, Ukraine and UK we fulfilled our entire programme. It was both stimulating and challenging. We also enjoyed worshipping together in the cathedral, and some excellent food. To find out all about it just follow the link.
Our Constitution requires us to hold a General Meeting in the first half of each year and, rather than simply having a business meeting, our Society takes the opportunity to explore a theme that is relevant to both out Church traditions. We met in Coventry Cathedral in the heart of England. It is an ideal location in which to explore our theme because central to its mission is the Ministry of Reconciliation, and every day at midday there is a Litany of Reconciliation. The cathedral is also the originator of the Community of the Cross of Nails which links communities across the world which have suffered the ravages of war. We were to learn more about this later on in the meeting. But first we held the required business meeting.
The Co-Moderators’ Report can be downloaded here; The Treasurer’s Statement of Accounts is here; The National Coordinators’ Reports are here ; and The Membership Secretary’s report is here
When the business meeting had been concluded we turned to the programme for the day.
SESSION ONE : Bishop Michael welcomed the Rev Frank-Dieter Fischbach and invited him to introduce
‘The Discussion on Peace Ethics within the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) since the War against Ukraine began’
You can download his paper in full as a Pdf by clicking here and you can open it in a separate window
THE LITANY OF RECONCILIATION AND THE EUCHARIST took place in the cathedral
LUNCH BREAK and a hot lunch and dessert went down well on what was a very cold day!
A GUIDED TOUR OF THE CATHEDRAL
Canon Mary Gregory led us, starting in the ruins of the original cathedral and then into Sir Basil Spence’s new building which was consecrated in 1962. As we walked she explained its history and its mission today. Naturally, you can’t join us on that tour…
… but you can go on a guided tour with the Dean, John Witcombe, by clicking the arrow
SESSION TWO : Christine Allsopp thanked Canon Mary for the worship and the tour and invited her to speak on