Practices in ChristianityThe Church in the wider world – Ecumenism

The metaphor of the Church as a ‘body’ is often used by Christians, who think of Jesus Christ as the ‘head’ of the body, with Christian believers as the body’s other parts. Many Christians believe that the sacrament of baptism welcomes people into this body of believers.

Ecumenism

Christians believe that Jesus was the ultimate example of reconciliation, because his crucifixion and resurrection healed the broken relationship between God and humanity. Many Christians try to follow Jesus’ example by working for reconciliation in the world. Ecumenism is a form of reconciliation that aims to bring the different denominations of Christianity together.

• The ecumenical movement aims to unite all Christian denominations into one Church. It was founded in 1910 at the World Missionary Conference in Scotland, and has led to more cooperation between denominations. Examples include different denominations sharing the same church building, and ecumenical services, where different denominations worship together.
• The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches that works towards ecumenism. Each year the global organisation holds a week of prayer devoted to Christian unity, remembering Jesus’ teaching that they may be one so that the world may believe (John 17:21). The organisation runs campaigns to promote unity and works with other religions.

Ecumenical communities

Taizé

Taizé is a small village in France that is home to an ecumenical community of 100 Roman Catholic and Protestantmonks from around the world. They are devoted to the idea of peace through meditation, silence and prayer. This ecumenical spirit attracts many thousands of pilgrims to Taizé every year.

Brother Roger, who founded the community, died in 2005 after being attacked during a prayer service. However, his mission lives on and pilgrims:

• are encouraged to live out the Christian gospel in a spirit of joy, simplicity and reconciliation
• experience Taizé’s unique meditative music and chants as part of candlelit worship
• gather with the monks for prayer three times a day

Corrymeela

Corrymeela is a residential centre on the north coast of Northern Ireland. It is open to everyone and receives 11,000 visitors each year. The centre was established in 1965 by Ray Davey, a former chaplain who witnessed the bombing of the German city of Dresden when he was held there as a prisoner of war during World War Two. Returning to Belfast, he was concerned about increasing tensions between Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland and so, with the help of students at Queen’s University, founded Corrymeela.

The centre promotes reconciliation through:

• offering a safe space where people from different communities can meet and build relationships
• working with schools, churches and community groups
• delivering personal development training, team-building and community
• running residential courses with outdoor activities and group discussions
• volunteering in schools to prevent or deal with conflict and tension
• running international youth conferences, designed by young people from all over the world

Iona

Iona is a Scottish island that has been an important site for Christian pilgrimage for over a thousand years. Its ecumenical community was founded in 1938 by George MacLeod with the aim of working for peace, social justice and rebuilding communities that have been damaged by conflict. MacLeod oversaw the project to rebuild the ruined ancient monastery, which is a symbol of hope for worldwide peace.

Around 300 people live in the Iona community. They welcome pilgrims from all over the world, and they pray and engage in social action. The community publishes reconciliation resources, including a magazine. It also hosts the Iona Prayer Circle, an international prayer group that prays for peace.

The Churches Together movement

The Churches Together movement in England has 47 member churches. These member churches work to find new ways in which the Christian denominations can work together to become united in the communion with Christ and one another, and proclaim the gospel together.