European Conference 2026 in Milton Keynes, UK
„Healing from Conflict“
Joint Conference der Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR), der Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Pax Christi (England und Wales), CHIPS (Christian International Peace Service) und Church and Peace
The Church and Peace conference in 2026, entitled “Healing from Conflict”, was special for being held jointly with four other Christian peace groups: the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR – the England and Scotland branch of IFOR), the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Pax Christi (England and Wales) and CHIPS (Christian International Peace Service). It was held from 24 to 26 April at the Kents Hill Park conference centre in Milton Keynes in England. The conference provided participants with the opportunity to learn, reflect, gain inspiration and meet other people committed to peace work. It also helped Church and Peace connect with the British members of our European ecumenical peace network, and get to know our UK partners better.
On the Friday night, there were welcomes and introductions from each of the organising groups. We were also joined by online participants for the peace prayers for Ukraine and other parts of the world which we take it in turns to facilitate every Friday night at 7.30 pm UK time, 8.30 pm CET. Our morning keynote on Saturday was by Jane Kinnimont, Chief Executive of the United Nations Association (UK), who joined us by Zoom. In a fascinating talk, Jane reminded us of the principles in the UN Charter and presented different scenarios for the future of the UN. Jane reminded us that while people in the Western world have experienced 80 years of peace, 2.7 trillion US dollars were spent on arms and war in 2025 – many times more than the UN’s budget.
After a coffee break, we attended one of six workshops, all of which appealed – an impossible choice! Church and Peace board member Martin Tiller, who is also a chair of Christian CND, taught the use of role play for exploring arguments against nuclear weapons with Christians. John Cooper of FoR led an interactive session on the militarisation of faith and society. Church and Peace members Ana and Otto Raffai of RAND in Croatia motivated us to have courage for peace in these warlike times. Marcellina Priadi of CHIPS talked of work for peace and healing in Darfur. Revd Canon Kate Massey of Coventry Cathedral spoke of the inspiration offered by art for reconciliation work. Catriona Robertson of the Iona Community engaged participants in a fingerprint labyrinth to promote the right to peaceful protest.
The afternoon keynote was by Church and Peace board member Siniša Klem, a Baptist theologian from Croatia. He reflected on the story of Cain and Abel as a lens for understanding ethnic conflict. Siniša’s central point was that by recognising our own potential not only to be victims, but also to be perpetrators of violence, we can help break cycles of violence and contribute to reconciliation.
Later in the afternoon, there was another incredible choice of practical workshops. Lisa Cumming of Quakers in Britain offered an exploration of the ‘two hands of nonviolence’ when dealing with the far right: saying no and engaging in dialogue. Revd Dr Girma Bishaw, the director of the Gratitude Initiative, talked of how to create psychological space for healing. Rev Nathanael Reuss gave insights into how to support survivors with complex PTSD. Revd Clive Fowle, who has done reconciliation work in Croatia, spoke of how to connect compassionately in spite of our differences. Rike Flämig of the Refo Moabit community in Berlin showed how to use the body and dance in individual and collective healing processes. Erin Blythe spoke about spaces of memory in Colombia.
The evening social activity brought much joy and creativity. Cas Moyo from CHIPS led Sip’n’Paint, in which participants painted on the theme of peace while sipping a non-alcoholic drink. People painted – in whatever way – as a spiritual activity, with some chatted in the process. It was a warm and friendly occasion.
On Sunday morning we went offsite to Christ the King Community Church in Milton Keynes. This is a type of church few of us had heard of before: the same space is used by a combined Protestant church – Baptist, Methodist, Church of England and United Reformed – and by the local Catholic parish. We attended the morning Protestant service and stayed for tea and cake afterwards. We were made very welcome. The church was perfect for our ecumenical conference. It was a pity we didn’t have time to stay for the Catholic service too.
The conference ended with reflections on what we would each take away from the weekend, and thanks to the many people who contributed to running the event so well (including the busy interpreters and those who gave lifts to the station). There were prayers to remember peacebuilders who have died, including those who were killed during their peace work.
It was moving to meet so many people engaged in peace-building and peace communities, for whom the importance of peace is a natural part of their faith.
