“The CCN has no doubt gone through great changes but it has I believe, remained firmly rooted in the commitment of Reconciliation…” So reflects Kenyon Wright who coordinated the reconciliation work at Coventry Cathedral from 1970 to 1981.
Kenyon further reflected the need for healing the wounds of history on two levels, “The first level would be local or national – concerned with reconciling people and structures… for example… in South Africa, in Ireland, in Palestine.”
The second “global poverty… and our human relationship of exploitation with the earth and its ecology”
Indeed, as not many may know, it was through him that the Community of the Cross of Nails was established from what had before been rather loosely connected Cross of Nails Centres around the world.
It was in January 1974, 40 years ago, when the establishment of the Community of the Cross of Nails was first publicised. In the Coventry Cathedral Network Magazine No 19 Kenyon Wright set out the purposes and objectives of the Community of the Cross of Nails. At that time 48 centres were at work worldwide that were to become part of this new network. The establishment of the CCN was meant to bind together Cross of Nails centres so that they could support each other in their continued commitment to reconciliation. The centres would share a common ‘discipline of Christian living’, ‘pray for one another’ and aid each other with a ‘programme of study and action throughout the world ’.
The Community of the Cross of Nails has grown significantly and we continue to hear of other groups doing excellent work and wanting to be part of our inspiring story on a monthly basis – we now have 160 partners, a number that continues to grow just as the number of ICON Schools, both around the city of Coventry and worldwide.
The Reconciliation Ministry Team at Coventry Cathedral would like to thank all Partners, Friends, ICON Schools and individuals for their good work and support.
May the Community of the Cross of Nails continue in its Ministry of Reconciliation as we strive to heal the wounds of history, live with difference, celebrate diversity and build a culture of peace.
You are invited to the next Coventry Cluster on 09.01.2026 in St Michaels House at 7 pm!
Are you a member of one of our Community of the Cross of Nails Partners in Coventry, or a congregation member of the Cathedral itself? Are you interested in thinking and learning more about the work of the Community of the Cross of Nails and our Partners?
If you would like to meet members of other Partners from in and around Coventry, to exchange ideas and learn from each other, to become involved in our work here at the Cathedral and to meet international Partners when they are visiting, you should come to the next Cluster!
We will have Jost Hasselhorn, Board Member of the German CCN and Consultant for Spiritual Life in our Partner the Frauenkirche in Dresden as a speaker. We will also be presenting the new Visitors Programme and discuss the role of the Cluster in it.
If you would like to attend please email [email protected], or call 02476 521 221
–hope to see you there!
You are warmly invited to the third Community of the Cross of Nails Cluster on Thursday the 26th September 2013 at 7.30pm in St. Michael’s House next to Coventry Cathedral. This is an informal group which explores reconciliation ministry and what that means for the city today.
You are warmly invited to join us when a Cross of Nails will be presented to the Parish of St Peter and St Oswald in Sheffield at 10.00 am on 6th October 2013 by Canon David Porter. The Cross will be blessed one week earlier during a service in Coventry Cathedral. Read more
Number of forcibly displaced worldwide: 42.5 million. Last year, 46% of refugees were under 18 years old and 48% were female.’ - UNHRC
Join us in the Coventry Ruins to commemorate the worldwide Refugge Day betweem 10.00 to 16.00 and a Commeorationand hope vigil at 18.30.
On Sunday, 2nd June 2013, Canon David Porter will present a Cross of Nails to the Church of St. Edward King and Martyt in Cambridge. You are invited to participate in this this service starting at 11.00 am. St. Edward’s Church is located on Peas Hill just off the market square next to the Cambridge City Council Guildhall. Read more
