We are a network of individuals, churches, Christian organizations and institutions in the United States and Canada who, inspired by the story of Coventry Cathedral in England, share a common commitment to work and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation.
We maintain a supportive and collaborative relationship with the Canon for Reconciliation Ministry at Coventry, currently Canon David W. Porter. Over the past few decades, Coventry Cathedral’s work for reconciliation has been in some of the world's most difficult and longstanding areas of conflict. More...
This page is currently under construction.
Over the years an important part of membership in the Community of the Cross of Nails has been a commitment to practice the Common Discipline. Many long-time CCN members have incorporated into their lives this balanced provision of time for prayer, study, work, family life, relaxation, worship, and personal growth. It is both personal to the community using it and also highly adaptable to widely differing social and political climates; it is a stabilizing influence in a world threatened to its core by destructive influences, and yet it also makes provision for growth and change.
Each parish, congregation, or institution is free to adapt the details of the Discipline to its own local situation. In CCN-North America, the Common Discipline has its roots in the Benedictine rule of life.
GROWING TOGETHER IN HOPE
By Canon David W. Porter, Coventry Cathedral
...Each of our CCN Partners have their specific context and distinctive ethos within which they serve. So what does it mean for us to share together in the ministry of reconciliation?
As we look to the purpose of the Community of the Cross of Nails in its next phase of development, three things mark the practical expression of our common commitment to work and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation. ...Healing the wounds of history... Learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity...Building a culture of peace.
Read the full text here.
All SAINTS DAY 2011
A Report from Coventry and Erfurt, Germany
By the Very Rev. Mark B. Pendleton
In my role as CCN-North America president, I traveled to Coventry in September and Erfurt, Germany in October.
In England I joined in conversations with CCN leaders from Germany and Poland. We met in St. Michael’s House, the former Deanery, which is undergoing a major redesign so that it can be used for future conferences and meetings for all those engaged in the ministry of peace and reconciliation. We celebrated the Feast Day of St. Michael and All Angels on September 25 at Coventry Cathedral with Canon David Porter offering the sermon. 2012 will be the Jubilee year for Coventry marking 50 years of the new cathedral.
In Germany I stayed at the historic Augustine Monastery where Martin Luther began his studies as a monk in 1505. The sermon was given that Sunday by the Rev. Paul Oestreicher, a Companion of the Cross of Nails. Paul was as passionate and prophetic as always. The German CCN continues its many activities in ministries around Germany and Eastern Europe.
Our reflections at these gatherings included the newly-articulated themes of proclaiming Coventry’s and the CCN’s ministry of reconciliation in our time.
- Healing the Wounds of History
- Learning to Live with Difference and Celebrate Diversity
- Building a Culture of Peace
We hope that we can connect with one of these priorities in our ministries and pray them forward into your context. Please continue to pray for the work of the Community of the Cross of Nails.
NEWS
A message from Carrie Staab
CCN-North America Intern, Coventry, UK
"It’s incredible to think that I’m more than halfway done with my internship here. The first six months were
filled with people asking how we’re all settling in, and I think the next six months we’ll hear more people
asking about when we finish and what we plan on doing after! While the end is only a few months away
and I’m looking forward to being back near my family come August (and starting a year with Episcopal
Service Corps in New Haven), there is still a lot of time left here, and lots of work to do." Read full message here.
March newsletter from Coventry Cathedral
Read the newsletter here.
Recommended reading
Go to the resources page for a list of suggested readings.
2012 internships are available at Coventry Cathedral
Applications are now being accepted for an internship at Coventry Cathedral starting in August, 2012. Travel costs, board, and a stipend included. Must be 18 years of age or older. Some university education preferred. More here.
Annual Meeting of the CCN-North America
Board members met in Connecticut with Canon David Porter (England) and Nina Bachman (Germany) during their annual meeting. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Erin Newton, Canon David Porter, and the Rev. Dr. Matilda Dunn. Standing are the Rev. Canon Anne Stevenson, the Very Rev. Mark Pendleton, Nina Bachman, and JoAnn Ward.
Canon for Reconciliation presents cross of nails
Christ Church Cathedral in Connecticut received a Cross of Nails from Canon David Porter from Coventry Cathedral, England on September 18 for its service to the homeless and hungry in downtown Hartford. Eleven meals are served each week at the Cathedral and at nearby Bushnell Park, aweekly Eurcharist is held in the park each Saturday, and clothing and personal care items are given away on Sundays. Canon for Reconciliation David Porter delivered the homily before the presentation of the Cross of Nails. Listen here.