Ninety AIF members and guests met at The Hayes Conference Centre (photo above) over August Bank Holiday weekend to explore the theme of standing in the gap between our different church traditions. We were helped by facilitators Susan & Stefan Smart with Marion Syms, while others helped with the children and young adults.  There were different programmes for each of the age groups.  The adults spent time listening and reflecting in small groups, and in workshops, as well as in prayer. The first workshop gave the opportunity to experience various ways into prayer using imagination and a contemplative walk. Later more opportunities for different types of prayer were offered as well as insights into how to approach prayer in different ways according to our personalities.

Ruth Reardon explained the meaning and history of the AIF Triptych.

As ever, communal eating was an important part of the weekend; the fellowship enjoyed over meals was, as always, a source of great joy and this year again there was a picnic lunch on the Sunday which allowed us to extend our free time in the afternoon. 

We celebrated our diversity as well as our union: Night Prayers were led by the young adults; an Anglican tradition Eucharist was enlivened by the contributions from the children’s groups; there was a Methodist Communion service and a Roman Catholic Mass.
Unusually this year there were four celebrations of long lasting Interchurch marriages.  Pat & Keith shared their ruby wedding celebrations with those present and the following day Elaine & Les joined with Jill & Anton to celebrate 50 years together with cake at afternoon tea and at the Conference Dinner we celebrated Liz and Rufus 25 years together.       

(A full report on the Annual Conference can be found here.)

Over the weekend 20th to 22nd May seven young people, aged 10 to 15, gathered to have a great time in each other’s company and to think about the various ways to express their own choice to follow God as opposed to having it expressed for them.  More accurately six gathered to do so with input from one more who had recently done just that.

Rufus & Liz hosted the event with input from Helena and the Rev Bev (see above photo).  Between the mayhem of talking late and being silly there were excellent opportunities for these young adults to ask in a "what if" sense and to explore in a "why not" atmosphere and to walk joyfully with God. It was evident that the opportunity to "consider confirmation" or another kind of Christian affirmation was taken up by all and each thought, prayed, reflected and celebrated the chance to have questions answered to the best of the ability of the adult leaders, who excelled in patience, love and other Christian virtues.

Considering Confirmation leaflet