Society for Ecumenical Studies AGM

The society held its AGM this evening at St Joseph's church in KensIngton. It's one of the groups which has brought together theologians and others who are enthusiastic about Ecumenism. Many have long memories of when there was a real hope of a united Protestant church in the UK and some of them were instrumental in trying to create it. Times have changed though and the society's membership has shrunk. Nevertheless it voted to continue under the chairmanship of Elizabeth Welch and to forge new links and look for new ways of working. I think one of the useful roles it may be able to explore is to connect gras roots experience with 'national' levels of theology. Because it is a voluntary group, perhaps it can achieve some things more informally working with some of the other more formal bodies to which people are appointed?
Early days perhaps but there are possibilities and given the number of people who were there with Milton Keynes connections there could be the chance of a local link up with an ecumenical area which could suggest some other possibilities.

The main meeting was followed by the ecumenical reminiscences of David Gamble, ex President of the Methodist Conference. His stories from right through his ministry highlighted just how often local situations saw people from different traditions working side by side.
This reinforces the thought that I have that at grass roots levels very often local church 'cultures' are formed which transcend the wider denominational cultural differences which have divided people. There is sometimes then the frustration of feeling that 'we've done it, why can't they?' The answer is not a simple one of course, but its an important one because it makes us really stop and think about what forms and constitutes our identity.

The society has its own website on which it will be possible to find their report of the meeting and the text of David Gamble's address. Its address is http://www.ecumenicalstudies.org.uk/

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