The annual CTE All Ecumenical Representatives Conference 2026 took place at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, from Tuesday 29 September to Thursday 1 October 2026. The conference is for all ecumenical representatives working within regional or intermediate ecumenism, County Ecumenical Officers, Denominational Ecumenical Officers, National Ecumenical Officers, and others with an interest in Christian unity. The conference aims to strengthen relationships, share best practice, and encourage collaborative Christian witness through ecumenical dialogue, reflection, and practical engagement.
Rev Fiona Munn reports:
I started my role as a Church of England Denominational Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney six months ago, so this was my first time attending the Churches Together in England Conference. It was refreshing to meet so many others who engage in similar work and to hear such diverse voices. Around one hundred Christians from a wide range of denominations gathered at the Hayes conference centre in Derbyshire to explore the theme of Ecumenism: Belief, Identity, and Belonging. The group came from across England and even included participants from Scotland, Wales, and Denmark.
The content was stimulating as we heard from several speakers reflecting on the conference themes. Shemara Hoyte and Andy Flanagan helped us consider our response to Christian Nationalism and introduced us to the resource Kingdom over Nation. We heard inspiring local ecumenical stories from a range of contexts and pondered how ecumenical structures do the work of offering radical welcome with a spotlight on Christian Aid. Doral Hayes helped us explore the Good Samaritan story with the aid of artwork and rich conversations followed. She concluded that ‘Christian unity is not sameness but relationship across difference’. With these concepts in mind, we can approach even difficult topics which can so easily divide us as churches.
Ben Aldous presented for us on ecumenism and evangelism. The panel conversation that followed was particularly fascinating as it included viewpoints from a Church of England, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Orthodox and URC perspective. Evangelism may be a difficult concept for some traditions. But there was agreement around the expression of God’s love in Christ offered to all.
We also did a thought-provoking “Ecumenical Fast Forward” as we walked ahead to 2036 with predictions for the state of the world and the church in that time. It felt sobering and helped us to consider what our mission and ministry priorities could look like today. The worship sessions were another place where diversity was represented thoughtfully and well. These ranged from silence in the Quaker tradition to Roman Catholic night prayer and rousing Salvation Army worship. We spent time studying the Bible together and we prayed together.
I valued the space for social interactions whether that was over lunch, in the bar, or over coffee. We met people from vastly different backgrounds, with diverse theological and cultural outlooks. We laughed together, reflected together, and listened to each other’s stories. I took part in the walk on Wednesday afternoon exploring the local countryside and railway heritage. I loved the opportunity this gave for longer conversations.
The conference felt truly ecumenical and diverse. This diversity shaped each of our conversations and helped us consider new perspectives. I gained insights and understanding and feel encouraged to continue to push into ecumenism in my local context.
***
Churches Together in England (CTE) is the national ecumenical instrument supporting and encouraging churches from a wide range of traditions to work together in unity. They bring together more than 50 National Member Churches: www.cte.org.uk/MemberChurches
Article posted by Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer. Readers may be interested in the following articles from CTE and Network Norfolk that relate to Kingdom over Nation and Christian Nationalism.
Rev Fiona Munn is the Denominational Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney and also Pioneer Minister for St. Faith’s Church Gaywood, which is a Local Ecumenical Partnership: pioneer@stfaithsgaywoodlep.org.uk
Main photo courtesy of CTE showing all delegates at the conference. Photo of Fiona provided by her.
.
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
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
From Service to Communion
A Timely Vision for Christian Social Action
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