You are warmly invited to pray for Ukraine on 24 August 2026, for its churches, for an end to war and the building of peace.

24 August 2026 is the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.

Please also pray for Ukrainian exiles living in Somerset.

Pope Leo XIV challenges humanity on Artificial Intelligence.

‘Magnifica Humanitas’ is publlshed on 15 May 2026.

Father Ayoob Adwar from Iraq visited Wells in the summer of 2026, and met with former colleagues Bishop Michael Beasley and Canon Jonathan LLoyd.

Fr Ayoob escaped from Mosul/Nineveh after it was destroyed in war, and is now an Anglican Priest in the Diocese of Southwark.

Useful new resource and Bible study from CTE to help local churches respond to ‘Christian nationalism’.

You can download it free.

The Presidents of Churches Together in England have condemned the antisemitic attack on Manchester Synagogue on 2 October 2025.

Their public statement is here

Three hundred attend Roman Catholic Mass celebrated at Wells Anglican Cathedral, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Celebrant was Father Tony Pazahayakalam of Wells Catholic Parish of St Joseph and St Teresa.

It was preceded by a Joyful Rosary in the Lady Chapel.

Statement by CTE Presidents on 23 September 2025

Church leaders condemn misuse of Christian symbols

21 September 2025

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January 2026 with the theme ‘One Body, One Spirit’.

Senior church leaders call for peace in Gaza

Tim was a key player in the ecumenical life of Somerset. See brief obituary here.

Church leaders are encouraging churches across Somerset to prepare for the General Election, by being ready to organise a local hustings for candidates and encouraging residents in your local community to register to vote.

Ben Aldous is particularly interested in mission, ecumenism and intercultural theology. He spent 16 years in Cambodia and South Africa firstly as a church planter and latterly as a parish priest. He helps host and curate conversations amongst denominational church leaders with the portfolio of mission from across CTE’s 52 member churches. He is the author of The God Who Walks Slowly (SCM 2022) and ‘Lived’ Mission in 21st Century Britain (SCM 2024). Ben is a research fellow at The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham.

From left to right: Bishop Nigel Stock (Anglican), Divisional Commander Paul Billard (Salvation Army), Regional Minister Nigel Manges (Baptist), District Chair Jonathan Pye (Methodist), Bishop Declan Lang (Roman Catholic), District Chair Dan Haylett (Methodist), Divisional Commander Gill Billard (Salvation Army), Regional Minister Gary Woodall (Baptist), Bishop Michael Beasley (Anglican). The new URC Moderator has not yet been appointed.

We continue to pray for peace in Gaza, Palestine, Israel and Lebanon.

Ecumenical resources are available for local churches to mark the Season of Creation 2023 starting on 1 Septermber. This year’s theme is ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’. Click here for prayer and action resources.

Church news from Europe

News from the world wide ecumenical movement

The theme of this year’s Education Sunday on 10 September is ‘The Armour of Light’.

Click here for details