The United Reformed Church (URC) hosted a theological consultation in partnership with the Evangelische Kirche der Pfalz from 7 to 12 October, exploring the theme The Church’s Prophetic Voice: Naming and Resisting Evil.
Discussions focused on war and conflict, the climate crisis and the growing tendency to use Christianity to sow division. Participants considered the challenges facing individuals and institutions as they discern when to provide spaces for quiet reflection, when to speak out and when to take action.
They also reflected on the reluctance of many biblical prophets and how responding to a particular situation may take people in unexpected directions, beyond what they thought they had been called to do or where they believed their gifts lay.
Conversations explored the different historical and geographical contexts of the two churches, as well as their shared experiences and concerns.
A walking tour of Limehouse, east London, highlighted the impact of Empire on the local community. Participants also visited St George’s German Lutheran Church, where a talk on its history explored how former pastors had resisted the persecution of their neighbours, both during the 18th and 19th centuries, at the height of the sugar trade, and during the 1930s and 1940s.
German guests stayed with URC members over the weekend and joined them for worship, before the consultation concluded with a farewell lunch at the URC’s Offices of General Assembly.
Papers from the consultation and further photographs will be published on the URC website in due course.