A Gentle Breeze

A Gentle Breeze People have been showing up unexpectedly at church. The Bible Society’s much-publicised report, The Quiet Revival, records some of this. Over recent weeks, I’ve noticed this reality in my local parish in Malvern, in Worcester Diocese. It’s also been striking that participants across the country in our Reconciling Mission programme have commented on this, during the catch-ups at the start of their action learning groups. It’s something which has encouraged them. One question that this phenomenon raises is how ready our churches are to receive these new visitors. And to receive them gratefully and appropriately. How do we welcome newcomers without jumping on them, or thinking about how we can rope them into filling gaps in our rotas or taking on responsibilities? Part of the answer may come in reminding ourselves that this movement is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in our world. Speaking of the Spirit, Jesus tells his disciples that, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.” (Jn 3:8) We certainly can’t control how the Holy Spirit blows. But when we see signs of the breeze of the Spirit blowing, we can rejoice at what God is doing among us and our neighbours. Let us therefore be ready to welcome new visitors with open hands and hearts, while listening for what has drawn people to our church. And give thanks to God.

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Being Missional Today Conference, 10 June, Coventry Cathedral

On 10 June Reconciliation Initiatives, Coventry Cathedral, Church Urban Fund, and the Iona Community hosted the Being Missional Today conference at Coventry Cathedral.  Over 160 participants joined 20 speakers to explore themes of disruption, liminality and reconciliation in missional thinking today. Click here to watch a short highlights reel from the day.

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Keynote Conversation

The keynote conversation between Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, and Revd Dr Al Barrett, Rector of Hodge Hill Church, is available to watch on our YouTube channel. Please follow the link below.

The programme included participative plenaries and seminars, creative workshops, a guided tour of Coventry Cathedral from Dean John Witcombe, plus opportunities for reflection and connection. 
We are delighted by the positive feedback about:

• “The rich conversation and being able to reflect prayerfully on what mission truly is.“
• “The opportunity to share thoughts and perspectives with like-minded people from different denominations and places around the country.“
• “The quality of the speakers, the venue, the lunch, the diversity of delegates, the workshops – all of it really – it was a fantastic and inspiring day.”
• “The conversational style used for the presentations, engaging us as participants to be more than spectators.”

RI Kenya Project Manager

RI Kenya Project Manager

Reconciliation Initiatives (RI) and the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) are working in partnership to deliver pilot learning and development programmes in Kenya in 2025 and 2026.
We are delighted to announce that Revd Fedis Nyagah has been appointed as the Project Manager who will work with Alastair McKay and a team of Kenyan facilitators to deliver RI’s latest offering: “Practical Peacemaking:  A Learning & Development Programme for ACK Bishops, Clergy & Spouses.”

Fedis believes “that resilient and reconciled leaders have the potential to bring healing not only within the Church but also across the communities they serve and together.”  She looks forward “to being part of nurturing a generation of peacebuilders committed to reconciliation with God, with self, and with one another.”

Read more about the project here.

Update on Reconciling Mission

The 4th cohort gathered at Coventry Cathedral for the annual Reconciling Mission conference, on 18 March 2025.

In May, the 5th cohort began their journey with a week-long residential at Bestwood Lodge, Nottingham. The cohort comprises of participants from the dioceses of Durham, Newcastle and Southwark.

Some of the Cohort 5 Reconciling Mission programme participants.

Recruitment for a 6th cohort is now underway. See the brochure below.

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Chair of Trustees: The Rt Revd Moira Astin, Bishop of Crediton

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Reconciling Mission Book

Alastair McKay and David Brubaker have their book manuscript accepted by Bloomsbury Press. The book will be titled Reconciling Mission: Realizing God’s Reign through Community Engagement. 
It is due for publication in January 2026. For a sneak preview follow the link below to hear Alastair set out six key threads linking the case studies explored in the book.

Filmed at the 2025 Reconciling Mission Conference.

The book draws on the theoretical framework used in the Reconciling Mission programme, along with two foundational Biblical narratives.  It includes case studies from England and the USA, and concludes by drawing together six key threads or themes that emerge from the case studies.

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Prayer requests

We welcome your prayers for Reconciliation Initiatives. In particular for:

• Fedis Nyagah and the emerging work in Kenya;
• The 4th and 5th cohorts of Reconciling Mission programme as they continue their journeys;
• The successful recruitment of a 6th cohort for 2026; and
• Moira Astin as she begins serving as the Bishop of Crediton.

Thank you for remembering us in your prayers. May you be blessed as you join us in God’s reconciling work.

Grace and peace to you,

Alastair McKay, Executive Director

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Our mailing address is: Reconciliation Initiatives, 7 Howey Close, Malvern, WR14 1WB, United Kingdom