2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church, which was held in Nicaea (now Iznik, Turkey) in the year 325. The statement of the faith that we know as the Nicene Creed originated in the Council, though it was later amended at the First Council of Constantinople in 381.
In honour of this significant anniversary, our conference will focus on the historical development and theological significance of this key text which the Book of Common Prayer envisages will be said at every celebration of Holy Communion.
We will explore how the Creed reached the Prayer Book in the form that we know today, and reflect on what it teaches us about the nature of God.
We will also think about the use of the Creeds in contemporary parish life, particularly in catechesis and in shaping the faith of present- day disciples.
Our final session will focus on that other, much neglected Creed found in the Prayer Book, the Creed of St Athanasius.
The Christian Creeds, as found in the Book of Common Prayer, represent a spiritual anchor which keep present-day believers firmly united to the historic Faith. Our hope is that our engagement with these ancient liturgical texts will strengthen and enrich our faith in the living God.
Keynote speakers
The Revd Dr Mark Smith,
Dean of Clare College, Cambridge
The Revd Dr Cally Hammond,
Dean of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
The Revd Dr Tom Woolford,
Vicar of All Saints’, New Longton, Diocese of Blackburn, and Tutor in Theology at Emmanuel Theological College
The Revd Dr Jo Kershaw,
Tutor in Liturgy, College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, and Director of the Mirfield Liturgical Institute
A series of devotional addresses will be given during conference services
The Chaplain to the conference will be the Revd Jonathan Beswick, Vicar of St Peter’s, London Docks.
The conference begins with Evensong on Thursday, 11 Sept (registration from 3.00pm) and finishes after Saturday lunch. The conference brochure can be viewed here.
All bedrooms are en-suite, single (unless Twin-bedded is requested, which will be the same price per person and must be booked together). Please indicate if you require a ground floor room, if you have accessibility requirements or need a special diet when you book your ticket.
The College has ample parking. If you are travelling by train please indicate when booking.
We will arrange for trains at main arrival times to be met by taxis at Kemble station (approx. 3 miles away). All fares are payable to the driver. Taxis will also be arranged for the return journey.
August 22 is the booking deadline. Places and accommodation are available on a first come first served basis. Attendees will receive further information ahead of the conference. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Booking will open soon!
The PBS is offering a limited number of bursaries for clergy, ordinands and people under 30 to attend the full residential conference for a fee of only £50, or £25 for non-residents.
To apply for a bursary, please complete and submit this form before August 4th.
Applicants should state their qualification for a bursary, eg. ‘First year ordinand at Wycliffe Hall’.
It is expected that recipients of Conference bursaries will become full members of the Prayer Book Society.
We are dependent on the generosity of our members to make this possible. If you are booking for the conference and would like to make an additional donation towards the bursary fund, please use the donation form below:
