Students see signs of hope for Christian unity
The 2011 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January) marks the beginning of an encouraging year for the ecumenical movement in Britain, the Student Christian Movement claims.
The Week of Prayer is closely followed by SCM's Annual Conference, Still Small Voice (4-6 February 2011), for which organisers expect another record turnout for an ecumenical exploration of prayer, and the links between prayer and action.
Jenny Morgans, Chair of SCM's student council said: "We are really encouraged by the revival of interest in inclusive, ecumenical Christianity. Over the past year we have had requests for advice and support from students keen to establish ecumenical student groups, and conference is a great opportunity for students from different backgrounds to meet and explore their faith together."
The ecumenical conference will bring together students from all over Britain, as well as international students, to explore different approaches to prayer and how prayer relates to action.
The key note speakers will be Dr Nicola Slee; feminist theologian, writer and poet and the Rev Dr Kenneth Leech; veteran social justice campaigner and founder of the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint. The programme also includes workshops on topics including Orthodox prayer, community organising, mental health, drumming as prayer, discipleship and different ways of reading the Bible, as well as a Campaigns Corner, and a Prayer Walk around the grounds.
The Student Christian Movement is an ecumenical student-led movement passionate about faith and justice. SCM brings students together to explore how to live out the Christian faith in today's world. See: www.movement.org.uk
SCM's 2011 Annual Conference, Still Small Voice, runs from the 4-6 February at The Hayes conference centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire. For bookings and more information see www.movement.org.uk/conference 3. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity runs from the 18-25 January 2011. More information and resources can be found at: www.ctbi.org.uk/511