The story of The Community of the Cross of Nails, born from the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in 1940. Today, it works in 40 countries to build peace, heal the wounds of history and enable people to grow together in hope. This illustrated guide tells its remarkable story from the beginning, reflecting on the meaning of reconciliation today.

Oliver Schuegraf

OLIVER SCHUEGRAF

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Dedication

Foreword

Introduction

Notes

Foreword to the English Edition

Healing the wounds of history

Learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity

Building a culture of peace

Introduction to the English edition

Part One: Coventry’s Mission of Reconciliation

1. ‘Father, forgive’

2. The Reconciliation Message of the double cathedral

3. The Cross of Nails

4. Reconciliation with Germany

4.1. Kiel

4.2. Dresden

5. The beginnings of the Community of the Cross of Nails

Part Two: The Worldwide Community of the Cross of Nails

6. The Community of the Cross of Nails today

6.1. Wurzburg Cross of Nails Ecumenical Initiative

7. Germany

7.1. Youth Workshop 'Bauhof', Halle

7.2. Frauenkirche, Dresden

8. Great Britain

8.1. The Cornerstone Community, Belfast, Northern Ireland

8.2. Lagan College, Belfast, Northern Ireland

8.3. Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre, Rugby, England

9. ‘Johannes Rau’ International Education and Conference Centre (IBB), Minsk

10. North America

10.1. Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati

10.2. St Paul's Chapel, New York City

10.3. St James the Apostle, Montreal

11. Musalaha, Jerusalem

12. South Africa

12.1. Church of the Good Shepherd, Protea

12.2. HOPE Africa, Cape Town

12.3. Church of the Ascension, Klein Drakenstein

13. All Saints Cathedral, Khartoum

14. The Reconciliation Centre at Coventry Cathedral

14.1. Dealing with religious conflict

14.2. The Peace Declaration of Alexandria

14.3. The Peace Declaration of Kaduna

14.4. Conclusions

Part Three: Reflections on a Theology of Reconciliation

15. Introduction: Forgive your brother or sister from your heart

16. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves

17. Be reconciled to God

18. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you

19. For we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard

20. Endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father

21. We have not ceased praying for you

22. In conclusion: Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you

Bibliography

Acknowledgements of Photographs

The Community of the Cross of Nails came into being as a result of the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in November 1940. Amid the destruction, two medieval nails were found lying in the shape of a cross - seen as a prophetic sign for the need of forgiveness and reconciliation, the people of Coventry offered forgiveness to the people of Germany at Christmas, just weeks after the bombing. Today, the Community of the Cross of Nails has 160 centres in 40 countries, working and praying to build peace, heal the wounds of history and enable people to grow together in hope through conferences, teaching in schools and prisons, and pilgrimages. This illustrated book tells its remarkable story from the beginning. It is also a work of contextual theology, offering reflection on the meaning of reconciliation in the contemporary world and relating experiences of imaginative forgiveness from Cape Town to Ground Zero. Published as part of Coventry Cathedral's golden jubilee celebrations, this celebrates its continuing ministry of reconciliation.

Oliver Schuegraf is a Lutheran theologian who was a member of the cathedral community in Coventry, before returning to his native home of Germany. Today he is an ambassador for the Community of the Cross of Nails and for the work of Coventry Cathedral.

The Community of the Cross of Nails came into being as a result of the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in November 1940. Amid the destruction, two medieval nails were found lying in the shape of a cross – seen as a prophetic sign for the need of forgiveness and reconciliation, the people of Coventry offered forgiveness to the people of Germany at Christmas, just weeks after the bombing. Today, the Community of the Cross of Nails has 160 centres in 40 countries, working and praying to build peace, heal the wounds of history and enable people to grow together in hope through conferences, teaching in schools and prisons, and pilgrimages. This illustrated book tells its remarkable story from the beginning. It is also a work of contextual theology, offering reflection on the meaning of reconciliation in the contemporary world and relating experiences of imaginative forgiveness from Cape Town to Ground Zero. Published as part of Coventry Cathedral's golden jubilee celebrations, this celebrates its continuing ministry of reconciliation.

This illustrated book details the Community of the Cross of Nails, exploring themes of reconciliation and forgiveness from its origins to contemporary applications. Suitable for readers interested in theology and peacebuilding.

\["For those seeking hope and healing in their lives", "The Cross of Nails inspires forgiveness and peace", "You will discover the power of community and love"\]

This book explores the powerful journey of reconciliation through the Community of the Cross of Nails.

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The inspiring story of the worldwide Community of the Cross of Nails, which began in the ashes of the blitz-destroyed Coventry Cathedral in 1940, after a local vicar bound three surviving medieval nails together to form a cross, and the Cathedral’s Provost, Richard Howard, had the words ‘Father, forgive’ engraved on the walls of the ruined chancel in 1948. The story is told memorably here by a German Lutheran pastor / theologian who served in Coventry between 2002 and 2006 as Co-ordinator of the community. Coventry Cathedral stands out, of course, for its continuing work of reconciliation, and is known to many through its Litany of Reconciliation that is prayed every week. This book’s fifteen examples of Cross of Nails Centres around the world make compelling reading. That can only be a sample, as there are now more than 160 centres, made up of different denominations, varied in the work they do (including church communities and schools, NGOs and a young offenders’ penal institution), and found all round the globe, from Dresden to Belfast, Cape Town to 'Ground Zero', Jerusalem to Khartoum. Part Three of the book – 'Reflections on a Theology of Reconciliation' – is particularly profound and worthy of serious thought. Read this book, if you care about reconciliation, and if the story of the Cross of Nails inspires you.

The Cross of Nails

Cross of Nails

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