A Visit from Dean John, Part 2: Potential Next Steps for Pullen
Part 1 was a travelog about the visit to NC and to Pullen by Rev. John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral in England.
This second part speaks to ways in which this international partnership is already woven into Pullen’s identity, opportunities to connect even more strongly with the Community of the Cross of Nails, and questions we can continue to ponder. Note the information below about the open invitation for Pullenites to make a pilgrimage to Coventry in October 2024.
How did we get here?
The Community of the Cross of Nails network was formalized in 1974, and Pullen was presented with a cross in 1977 in recognition of our long interest in working for peace and justice and bridging divides. In his Focus on May 12, Dean John pointed out the cross of nails that hangs in the back of our sanctuary and noted that Pullen is now one of the longest continuous partners.
Rev. H. C. N. (“Bill”) Williams, Provost of Coventry Cathedral, presenting a cross of nails to Rev. W. W. Finlator, Pullen’s senior minister, at a service held on October 30, 1977.
In 2012, Coventry’s reconciliation ministry team undertook an in-depth review of its own past, present, and future. One result was a distillation of the CCN’s commitments to these three priorities:
healing the wounds of history,
learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity, and
building a culture of justice and peace.
On May 12, John told us he had witnessed these commitments resonating at Pullen, whether named explicitly or not. What would it be like for us to openly acknowledge a calling to honor these commitments of the heart?
What does the network mean to the partners?
Anyone who does hands-on work for peace, justice, and reconciliation will agree that it is hard labor with a long time line. Partners in the CCN network share the journey with each other, both burdens and joys.
A microcosm of the network is our relationships with our siblings (and also CCN partners) in Cuba and the Republic of Georgia. Through Primera Iglesia Bautista in Matanzas, Cuba, we make lasting friendships at an individual level even though our governments have been enemies for decades.
Visitors from Matanzas at Pullen, September 2014.
Former Rev. Canon Sarah Hills presenting a cross of nails to Pastor Orestes Roca and the congregation of Primera Iglesia Bautista, Matanzas, Cuba, February 7, 2018. (In background: Erin Newton, CCN–North America board member; and Mark Pendleton, board President)
Through Peace Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, we support people who are building interfaith alliances, combating social stigmas, and countering persecution by government and religious authorities.
How can individual Pullenites participate in CCN activities?
Pilgrimage: Interest is growing at Pullen for an adult/young adult pilgrimage to Coventry. John recommended timing a visit around the international gathering October 15–18, 2024. We have a copy of the agenda from the May 2024 gathering, and the October event will be similar. At least one group of German friends has already committed. These gatherings usually occur twice yearly, and Pullenites attended in person in 2012, 2018, and 2023, and virtually in 2020. There will be options for group sightseeing or personal travel before or after the gathering. A meeting to share information and to assess interest will take place at Pullen on Sunday, June 30, 2:00–3:30 pm ET, room 310. A Zoom link has been set up and is available upon request.
Newsletters: Anyone interested in learning more about CCN thanks to John’s visit can read monthly newsletters at https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/reconciliation/community-of-the-cross-of-nails/resources, or subscribe and receive them via email (Alice Farnhill, Alice.farnhill@coventry.anglican.org). The latest issue was released on June 6—coincidentally, amid 80th-anniversary D-Day observances in Europe.
Sharing of the CCN Litany of Reconciliation via Zoom: A monthly Zoom gathering takes place on third Thursdays, noon–12:30 ET, to share a brief meditation and one of several versions of the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation with CCN participants from the US, Canada, and Cuba. Dean John hopes to offer his impressions of his visit to NC at the June 18 gathering. All are welcome to join at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82501462596?pwd=Q1ZmNjNGZmhuekI0Rld1RTVPT1liUT09, Meeting ID: 825 0146 2596, Passcode: 746888.
Pullen foyers: Although not necessarily branded as such at Pullen, foyer groups were one of the early requirements of CCN partners as a way to bring together people in a faith community who may not otherwise have had an opportunity to connect deeply. Ours have operated continuously—except for a COVID-19 pause—since 1979. Small groups of 6–8 participants are mixed and re-formed each fall. Groups meet at least once in each represented home for a simple meal “in the style of the house,” and are open to all ages. Church membership is not required and there is no set agenda. Sign-up information will be publicized in August.
Coventry interns: Pullen’s matching gift from the Phil Letsinger bequest to CCN helped to create an endowment for annual intern stipends, and the returns on the investment are now ready to use. However, post-COVID, finding US-based candidates interested in working with the reconciliation team in Coventry for 6–12 months has been very difficult. Alice Farnhill, CCN Coordinator, communicated this week that they would soon be “interviewing a possible US intern candidate, for the year from this September,” which she found very encouraging. Pullen has offered to pass the word to friends in the Alliance of Baptists about this recurring opportunity, and we are also seeking other contacts. Additional details about the position are here and can be shared widely.
Regional partner gatherings: Coventry is encouraging regionally close CCN partners to connect more intentionally. For example, Chapel of the Cross and St. Paul’s A.M.E. churches in Chapel Hill, Pullen, and the Duke Center for Reconciliation could plan and host a joint gathering at least once a year, with a co-determined theme and agenda. Does this seem like an opportunity we would appreciate?
CCN Sunday: The last Sunday in September (this year, the 29th) is designated as “an opportunity for all worship communities involved with the CCN to pray together as one body in a part of their morning service, and a chance for us all to reconnect our communities with why the CCN matters, why Coventry still inspires, and where our own stories connect. A different global region of the CCN leads in producing an online service each time” (https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/reconciliation/community-of-the-cross-of-nails). Pullen contributed its “Commonwealth of Love” video to the US partners’ compilation of resources in 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkENO7c0JDQ, start point 1:30) and commemorates the day in worship each year. In 2024, the German partners will prepare resources.
Additional visitors: John would like for as many of us as possible to meet Rev. Mary Gregory, the Canon for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral (during the October pilgrimage?), and for her eventually to visit Pullen. Would we like to host additional visitors in the future, either from Coventry or from other partners in the network?
—Erin Newton (with Ian McPherson)
