Those involved in ecumenism are often asked what Christian unity is for. Jenny Sinclair’s recent keynote talk, From Service to Communion: Exploring Humanities for Our Time, offers one contemporary answer to that question.
Delivered at the Catholic Social Action Conference, Humanitas: Flourishing in Action, in the Archdiocese of Liverpool on 10 July 2026, the talk deserves a wider audience.
Sinclair, Founder and Director of Together for the Common Good, reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s vision of Magnifica Humanitas. She argues that the Church must recover an authentic understanding of the human person if it is to respond faithfully to the challenges of our age. Rather than concentrating solely on the delivery of services, she calls Christians to rebuild relationships, strengthen communities and cultivate genuine communion.
The talk is especially relevant to ecumenism because its vision reaches beyond institutional cooperation. Sinclair presents Christian unity as something lived in neighbourhoods, parishes and local institutions, where churches work alongside one another for the common good, while staying rooted in their distinctive traditions.
Drawing on Catholic Social Teaching, she highlights themes that resonate across much of the Christian family: the dignity of every person, vocation, reciprocity, subsidiarity, responsibility, and the rebuilding of trust in fragmented communities.
Among the most thought-provoking sections is her distinction between service and communion. While charitable activity stays indispensable, she argues that the deeper Christian calling is to foster relationships in which everyone is recognised, not merely as a recipient of help, but as someone with gifts, responsibilities, and a vocation to contribute. In an age shaped by individualism, technological change and growing social isolation, this offers a compelling account of what Christian witness can look like today.
Readers of the NWCT website will recognise many familiar themes. The talk reinforces the conviction that Christian unity is not an end in itself, but a means by which the Church can offer a more coherent and credible witness to human flourishing.
It provides an inspiring framework for anyone looking to understand how the Gospel can shape public life in the twenty-first century.
Click here to download the full text of Jenny Sinclair’s keynote talk.
Article by Dr Ian Watson. The talk complements his own reflections on Magnifica Humanitas and the wider vocation of ecumenism as a contribution to the common good.
(Author: )
Programme launched to help churches drive change in their communities
A national programme to help churches drive social change and seek justice has been launched.
Modern Slavery Conference: A Call to Christians Across East Anglia
Saturday 6 February 2027 | Newmarket and Online
Prayers of Hope
A Moment of Prayer and Reflection on Premier Christian Radio
Latest CTE Newsletter
The latest Churches Together Newsletter Highlights Christian Unity and Contemporary Challenges
Norfolk churches set to celebrate Christian unity
An annual celebration of Christian unity, hosted this year by Chapelfield Methodist church.
Norfolk book on patriotism, faith and love
Norfolk County Ecumenical Officer Dr Ian Watson has just published a book about Patriotism and the Desire for Human Flourishing, which grew out of his doctoral research in moral philosophy.
The Spirit of Assisi: Building peace through encounter
Dr Ian Watson reports on an ecumenical and inter-religious gathering in London
When Conviction Meets Conscience
An Ecumenical Reading of Romans 14 by the County Ecumenical Officer
New Convenor for Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney
Rev Helen Hollands, Chair of the East Anglia Methodist District, has taken on the role of Convenor of NWCT – Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney, reports
CTE Conference Report by Rev Fiona Munn
Rev Fiona Munn, the Anglican Denominational Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney, reports on the Churches Together in England (CTE) All Ecumenical Officer Conference 2026
Conscience, Truth and Christian Unity
On St John Henry Newman’s feast day, Dr Ian Watson reflects on respecting the convictions of Christians with whom we disagree.
New CTBI Magazine: Christian unity in a time of division
The Autumn 2026 edition of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Magazine is now available, bringing together news, resources and reflections on Christian unity and the Churches’ common witness
Ecumenism from the Bottom Up
Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer, asks what might Pentecostal experience teach us about where Christian unity begins?
Bowthorpe Church celebrates 40 Years
Christians from across the traditions gathered in Norwich to celebrate forty years of a church built upon a shared commitment to worship, witness and service - Dr Ian Watson reports.
When Faith, Nation and Belonging Meet
The County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney, explains why CTE’s new Kingdom over Nation resource matters for our churches and common witness
Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race
The County Ecumenical Officer reflects on a hymn about human difference, reconciliation and belonging, and why its words speak so powerfully to the search for Christian unity
The Conversations That Keep Churches Talking
What the Malines Conversations can teach all Christians about encounter, recognition and the patient work of Christian unity
Christianity is a Faith of Companionship
The County Ecumenical Officer draws on a recent Christian Art reflection to consider what it might teach us about the ecumenical journey
Latest from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
The latest newsletter from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) brings together news, resources and events from across the ecumenical life of the churches in Britain and Ireland
Becoming Neighbour
A Shared Christian Vocation
When the Cross Is Wrapped in the Flag
Christian nationalism and the search for a better patriotism, by the County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney
Encouragement and Hope in Gorleston
The County Ecumenical Officer visits and discusses unity with Churches in the Community in the east of the county
When Another Christian Cannot See the Point
The County Ecumenical Officer on a conversation about church buildings, and what it asks of us when another tradition cannot see what we see
Can Mary Be a Causeway to Christian Unity?
The County Ecumenical Officer reflects from Walsingham on the Solemnity of the Assumption
Learning the Grammar of Ecumenical Encounter
The County Ecumenical Officer reflects on Christian encounter, and what it means to know ourselves through others
Thetford: A Christian Response in a Time of Division
The County Ecumenical Officer signposts a timely reflection from local Christian blogger Steve Jefroy on events in Thetford and what an authentic Christian response might look like
“Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock”
Looking Ahead to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2027
The God of All the Clans
The County Ecumenical Officer finds hope for Christian unity in the prophecy of Jeremiah
East of England Ecumenical Officers meet up
Eastern regional County Ecumenical Officers gather for fellowship and encouragement in Friends House London - Dr Ian Watson reports
The Courage of Small Beginnings
What Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed and Hannah Arendt’s philosophy of action can teach us about Christian unity, faithful perseverance, and trusting God with what we cannot yet see
Snapshot of ecumenical life in new CTE Newsletter
The latest Churches Together in England newsletter has been published
Around One Presence
Finding Christian unity by drawing closer to Christ by Dr Ian Watson
When Christians Come Together
The County Ecumenical Officer on what it means to come together rather than simply to be together
Journeying Together Towards 2033
Pope Leo XIV encourages a shared Christian witness to the Jubilee of Redemption
The Face of the Other
An exploration on presence, holiness, and the ecumenical encounter before words are spoken
Duty Before Dialogue?
Giuseppe Mazzini and Unitatis Redintegratio in the Moral Calling for Christian Unity
Towards a Larger Ecumenism?
The County Ecumenical Officer writes on the Unity of the Church and the Unity of Humankind
The Waveney Valley Ecumenical Partnership
Encouraged by a Living Witness to Christian Unity in the Waveney Valley - The County Ecumenical Officer reports
Whom Do We Trust?
Christian division as a crisis of testimony – a view by the County Ecumenical Officer
Alien and at Home: Notes on Being a Catholic in Ecumenical Space
A personal and philosophical reflection by Dr Ian Watson on belonging, strangeness, and the unexpected gifts of the ecumenical journey
Unity Before Agreement?
The County Ecumenical Officer reflects on why some of the most important advances in Christian unity began with Christians learning how to remain in relationship despite disagreement
The Most Holy Trinity and the Call to Christian Unity
On Trinity Sunday, the County Ecumenical Officer reminds us that the Church seeks unity because God himself is unity
Beyond Babel? An Ecumenical Reflection on Magnifica Humanitas
A provisional personal response from the County Ecumenical Officer to Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical from an ecumenical perspective
Pilgrimage, Fellowship and Christian Friendship in Walsingham
Reflections from the National Pilgrimage 2026 by Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney
Unity in Action Close to Home
What Global Ecumenical Trends Can Teach Us About Christian Unity in Norfolk and Waveney
An Update on Unity in Action
Encouraging signs from the Ecumenical Movement –
an update for Spring and Early Summer 2026
Brothers and Sisters in Christ
An open letter of gratitude, hope and encouragement from Dr Ian Watson to Christians Across Norfolk and Waveney, marking nearly three years as County Ecumenical Officer
Kingdom Over Nation
A new ecumenical resource developed through Churches Together in England to aid churches in dealing with the issues associated with Christian nationalism
New Anglican DEO for Norfolk and Waveney
Rev Fiona Munn has been appointed as the new Anglican Denominational Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney. Here, she gives a short introduction of her current role, background and ecumenical hopes
The Seamless Tunic and the Unity of the Church
Dr Ian Watson reinforces the notion of the Seamless Tunic as an Ancient Symbol with an Ecumenical Future