Mike Royal
@mikearoyal.bsky.social
250 followers 200 following 47 posts
General Secretary of Churches Together in England
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mikearoyal.bsky.social
Speaking on unity at Norwich Cathedral earlier this week (photo credit Keith Morris / Network Norfolk) #ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
TOMORROW - "The Creed as Lived Reality" webinar from the Society for Ecumenical Studies on Wednesday 15 October at 7.30 pm

A conversation between @oikoumenewcc.bsky.social President Rev Dr Susan Durber and Rev Prof Paul Fiddes @ox.ac.uk

cte.org.uk/sfes-cree...

#Nicaea2025
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
📣 Applications for The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund close on 31 October.

If you are a Christian aged 18 to 35 from one of our Member Churches, don't miss the opportunity to get a grant to experience #ecumenism abroad.

Apply at cte.org.uk/snelsonfund

#SnelsonFund #ChurchesTogether
mikearoyal.bsky.social
If you are a young leader with an ecumenical heart, this grant fund could be for you… #ChurchesTogether
churchesengland.bsky.social
📣 Applications for The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund close on 31 October.

If you are a Christian aged 18 to 35 from one of our Member Churches, don't miss the opportunity to get a grant to experience #ecumenism abroad.

Apply at cte.org.uk/snelsonfund

#SnelsonFund #ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
"We say it again – an attack against one religious community is an attack against us all"

@churchesengland.bsky.social Presidents speak out against hate crime following the attack on the Peace Community Centre and Mosque.

cte.org.uk/cte-presiden...

#ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
A great meeting today with friends from many of our Charities and Networks in Association and @ctbi.bsky.social

We gathered to start talking about how we can work better together to equip and inspire churches without overloading them with our individual messages.

#ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
"...and also international development as chair of @christianaiduk.bsky.social Aid.

"I can’t wait to be working with her alongside the other Presidents of Churches Together in England”

- General Secretary, Churches Together in England, Bishop @mikearoyal.bsky.social

#ChurchesTogether #Ecumenism
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
October is #BlackHistoryMonth in the UK.

cte.org.uk/black-his...

"For @churchesengland.bsky.social Black History Month is more than cultural observance; it is a moment with deep ecumenical significance." - Min @shermarafh.bsky.social

#ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
The sun is shining on our #ecumenical gathering today. Wonderful to have local and regional colleagues from #ChurchesTogether groups across England with us this week
Around 100 local and regional #ChurchesTogether people photographed on the lawn at The Hayes, Conference Centre
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
"An attack against one faith community is an attack against us all. "

The @churchesengland.bsky.social Presidents have issued a joint statement condemning yesterday's synagogue attack and antisemitism.

cte.org.uk/cte-presiden...

#ChurchesTogether #ChristianUnity
Words of the statement: We are horrified at the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, a Holy Day for the Jewish community. We stand with the Jewish community at this time and categorically reject all forms of antisemitism. Those who hold this ideology must be challenged and must never be allowed to win.

We pray for the Jewish community, who will be deeply traumatised by this event. We pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones. We thank the emergency services for their swift response, and we recognise with respect how, once again, they have put themselves in harm’s way to protect the community. We pray that all will come together in condemning this senseless attack.

An attack against one faith community is an attack against us all. We commit ourselves to work for positive relationships between faiths and communities in our nation, now and always.
Reposted by Mike Royal
christianityuk.bsky.social
The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury has been named as Sarah Mullally. She will be the first female holder of the role.

What do we know about Sarah and the role of Archbishop of Canterbury?

www.christianity.org.uk/article/the-...
The Archbishop of Canterbury - Christianity
Who is the Archbishop of Canterbury? How are they appointed? What's the history of the role?
www.christianity.org.uk
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
"The Cross and the Gospel of Christ must never be co-opted to support the messages that breed hostility towards others"

@churchesengland.bsky.social Presidents express "deep concern" about the misuse of the symbols and words of the Christian faith

Full statement: cte.org.uk/unconditiona...
mikearoyal.bsky.social
Proud to have signed this statement alongside other church leaders about the co-opting of the Christian cross at the “unite the kingdom rally” that featured in The Mirror and The Times newspapers this weekend.
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
We invite you to join the #ecumenical call to #PrayForPeace in the Holy Land

Share this prayer by Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Diocese of Jerusalem and stand in solidarity with those affected by the violence in the Holy Land

youtu.be/ZWBTnZJpkro

#ChurchesTogether #PrayTogether
A Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land
YouTube video by Difference
youtu.be
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
We join the global call to #PrayForPeace by @oikoumenewcc.bsky.social 🙏

This prayer by Archbishop Hosam, Diocese of Jerusalem, helps us to stand in solidarity with those affected by the violence in the Middle East

We believe the gravity of this moment demands a visible, united Christian witness
Text of prayer: Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: 

In your mercy, provide for all those in Gaza and beyond who suffer from hunger and starvation, that they may be given both physical bread to nourish their bodies and heavenly bread to sustain their souls. Prayer text cont: By the power of your Spirit, bring a speedy end to this cruel war, the release of all captives, care for the sick and wounded, comfort for those who have lost loved-ones, and the opening of a pathway for a just and lasting peace here in the very homeland where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ministered during his earthly life; 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

Amen
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
Today we're sharing 3 perspectives from @churchesengland.bsky.social Principal Officers on 'The Quiet Revival' + other recent reports about church growth

Are our Member Churches flourishing and/or fading?

cte.org.uk/flourishi... by Mission & Evangelism specialist, Ben Aldous @jazzgoat.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
The final perspective in today's series about church growth comes from CTE's Principal Officer for Ecumenical Relations and Development, @doralh.bsky.social

Doral looks to local and regional working together and the potential of reviving God's church 'as one'

cte.org.uk/flourishi...

#Ecumenism
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
Here's the second of our articles on how our Member Churches are flourishing and/or fading.

Principal Officer for Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations, @shermarafh.bsky.social, views 'The Quiet Revival' as a #Pentecostal minister

cte.org.uk/flourishi...

#ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
jazzgoat.bsky.social
Good to witness the anti-racism, anti-fascism, solidarity with Palestine gathering at Westminster yesterday on my way to Lambeth where good conversations and good canapés built deeper relationships #ecumenical
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
Senior leaders from across the church traditions in the UK have called for an end to the war in Gaza

cte.org.uk/joint-statem...

"We continue to have faith (in) a peace that upholds all human dignity and that provides for the flourishing of all communities"

📸 credit Mohammed Ibrahim on Unsplash
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
📢 JUST OUT CTe-News September 2025

All the latest #ecumenical news and stories including:

🕊 Middle East prayers for peace
🌍 Apply now for Young Ecumenists grants
🎆 Perspectives on the church revival

... and a new National Ecumenical Adviser for @churchofengland.org

#ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
jazzgoat.bsky.social
There are now close to 150 MAs, DMins and PhD's in our mission research library dating from 2000 onwards. Authored a MA or PhD over the last few years around the broad topics of mission, evangelism or church planting? #mission #ecumenical @churchesengland.bsky.social

cte.org.uk/mission/rese...
Mission Research Library
If you have a thesis you'd like to suggest for this library, please contact CTE's Ben Aldous.
cte.org.uk
Reposted by Mike Royal
churchesengland.bsky.social
UK Eastern Christian Bishops representing more than 2.5 million faithful call on Parliament to reject Assisted Suicide in a historic joint letter.

The Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Lords tomorrow, Friday 12 September 2025.

cte.org.uk/eastern-chri...

#AssistedDyingBill
mikearoyal.bsky.social
A joy to meet up with my dear ecumenical friend Bishop Dr Joe Aldred. Such a fountain of wisdom and knowledge #ChurchesTogether
Reposted by Mike Royal
jazzgoat.bsky.social
Very good to meet with Fr Dragos Herescu representing the Romanian Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to begin the process of membership into CTE with General Secretary Bishop @mikearoyal.bsky.social #Orthodox #ecumenical