Reconciling Practices: Listening, Praying, and Witnessing in the Midst of Division

From 2017 to 2020, ten seminarians from five different Anglican seminaries met to discuss the difficult topics that have caused division and conflict in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Representing the Anglican Church in North America, The Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Continuum, these seminarians desired to humanize the conflict by pursuing embodied experiences of disagreement and reconciliation, even while recognizing that resolution in the form of agreement would be virtually impossible. Reconciling Practices recounts their journey in the hope that the experiences of these seminarians might serve as a model for the Anglican Communion. In the words of the Most Rev. Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, this book shows us “how it is indeed possible to encounter one another not as opposition or other, but as beloved children of God.”

Praise for Reconciling Practices
“Intentional reconciliation amidst deep disagreement is hard work. It is also necessary work for all who choose to follow Jesus in his Way of Love. But what does this look like? Outlining the interactions of a cohort of very different students from five seminaries, Reconciling Practices shows how it is indeed possible to encounter one another not as opposition or other, but as beloved children of God.” —The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and Author of Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times

“Through an experiential lens this text shares the commitment, pain and surprising trajectory of practicing reconciliation, rooted in Christ, that is the call of every Christian (2 Cor 5:20). As both the church and the world face increasing and polarizing divisions, formation in these practices of reconciliation will be essential. This book offers us a way into that work with honesty and with the hope that remains rooted in the reconciling love of God.” —The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

“This is the honest account of a brave project, which under other leadership might have been a facile account of a cosmetic project. Kudos to Robert Heaney and his team for having the courage to invite strangers to the same table and, perhaps even more to the seminarians for being willing to stay there when any other choice would have been easier—a parable and a path for a broken church.” —Garwood P. Anderson, Ph.D., Dean of Nashotah House and Professor of New Testament

“This book is a testimony to what is possible when people of faith take risks for the sake of pursuing the kind of Christian unity that values each human person. It is a refreshingly honest account of listening to and learning from diverse theological perspectives—and the challenges this listening brings. A must read for anyone wanting to engage more deeply with difference for the good of the Church.” —The Rev. Dr. Gabrielle Thomas, Assistant Professor of Early Christianity and Anglican Studies, Candler School of Theology, Emory University


ABOUT THE EDITORS
Robert S. Heaney is Professor of Theology and Mission, Virginia Theological Seminary. He is author of Post-Colonial Theology: Finding God and Each Other Amidst the Hate (2019) and, with William L. Sachs, The Promise of Anglicanism (2019).

Jacques Hadler, Jr., retired from Virginia Theological Seminary where he served as Director of Field Education and taught courses in Practical Theology and Cross-Cultural reflection, currently provides spiritual direction and coaching and consults on multicultural ministry and reconciliation.

Hartley Wensing serves as Associate Director of the Virginia Theological Seminary Center for Anglican Communion Studies where she provides leadership to projects supporting cross-cultural and reconciliation ministries.