Bishop Robert writes: “I warmly commend the Lent Course Celebrating Nicaea, which has been specially commissioned and written for chaplaincies in our diocese to use in 2025. Please do consider engaging with the course in your Chaplaincy this Lent. As we are all conscious of the pressures of secularism, 2025 is a unique opportunity to join in celebrating with the global church the marvellous and mysterious faith we share in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Please note that although chaplaincies from across our diocese enjoyed facilitating this course over Lent, it can be enjoyed at any time of year as it is a hugely important and focused way for us all to be thinking through our faith.  Please do take a look:

What is the Lent course?

This year marks 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea took place. From it came a creed that later evolved into the Nicene Creed we say each Sunday, a vital statement of orthodox Christian belief. Nicaea is now Iznik in modern-day Turkey, and is in our diocese. Within the Anglican Communion, we therefore have a unique reason to mark this anniversary, which we’re calling Celebrating Nicaea. One of the aspects of this celebration is a special Lent course. Designed for members of our chaplaincies who regularly say the Creed together in a Sunday service, the course will enable us to spend five sessions during Lent looking closely at the words of the Creed, and seeking to understand their meaning and significance more deeply. 

How can it be run?

The course will need a leader in each place, who could be a Reader or an ordained minister or another person with confidence leading a small group discussion.

Watch a recording of an introductory session with Revd Donald McFadyen here:

For any enquiries, please contact Revd Evelyn Sweerts: evelyn.sweerts@europe.anglican.org