Explore the work of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) in our Autumn 2022 magazine. Read the latest issue above, or download below.
As the magazine was being prepared, we received the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and in the issue we consider the significance of her legacy for faith communities.
We also reflect on the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the British Council of Churches (BCC), which would later develop into the Churches Together organisations that support ecumenical relations within Britain, and between British and Irish churches today.
This major anniversary coincided with the much anticipated 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and we look at the significance of that event for British and Irish church representatives.
And we look forward to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. For 2023, the churches of the US State of Minnesota were invited to reflect upon their journey of unity in a context of rising racism and white supremacy. As well as standing in solidarity with Christians there, the resources reflect upon our own context where racism is pervasive and where there are many challenges to the churches’ witness and mission.
Our Justice and Inclusion coverage continues with details of resources being produced to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence, and the 75th anniversary of Windrush, celebrating the Caribbean men, women and children who arrived in Britain in June 1948 onboard the iconic vessel, the SS Empire Windrush. Plus, October 2022 sees the official launch of the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum (RJAF), an ecumenical Christian entity that seeks to speak prophetically on behalf of Black and Brown Christians to the government on racial injustice challenges and reparations. The magazine details how RJAF has already responded to the Metropolitan Police’s shooting of Chris Kaba in south London, on 5 September 2022.
CTBI is holding an important conference and networking event on 8 November 2022, Life Beyond Borders. This aims to challenge and support churches to look at the issue of borders in a new way, recognising that our current circumstances are the result of policy decisions that can be changed and that our Christian values can contribute to a reimagining of these spaces – from places of separation to encounter. Find out all the details and how to register.
One of the conference speakers, Rev Dr Inderjit Bhogal, produced a Bible study resource to support churches in engaging with Sanctuary Sunday on 26 June 2022, exploring what it means to be a Church of Sanctuary. The latest edition of his related publication Hospitality and Sanctuary for All will be provided free to all who attend the Life Beyond Borders event.
Taking action to tackle the climate crisis is more urgent than ever and Hannah Eves, Researcher at A Rocha UK (a member of the Environmental Issues Network), outlines some ways to get involved. Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll provides a Pacific Perspective on climate displacement.
Plus: find out what happened at the Synergy Network Standing Together Weekend; read about CTBI’s Pilgrim Team visit to Italy; get an update on CTBI’s joint project in Sri Lanka with the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL); see how CTBI and some of our member churches participated in the UK Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief; learn about the work of Ecumenical Accompaniers in Palestine and Israel; become informed about the lasting effect of COVID-19 on young people from The Children’s Ministry Network; and discover how the Pauline Webb Fund supports women’s participation in ecumenical work.
Download
CTBI Autumn 2022 Magazine (PDF)
