The Coronation and Interchurch Families

The Coronation and Interchurch Families - A Symbolic Alignment

Melanie Carroll • May 6, 2023

The Coronation and Interchurch Families - A Symbolic Alignment

This weekend we see and celebrate the coronation of the monarch and the ceremony of crowning the new king, a ceremony we have heard much about because of King Charles III’s desire to be inclusive and ecumenical by including of people from other denominations, faiths and traditions. But what if anything does that have to do with interchurch families and the issues they have and face?

In case you didn't know an Interchurch Family typically refers to a family in which the partners come from different Christian denominations. For example, one spouse may be Catholic while the other is Protestant.

Now symbolically, the coronation of a monarch represents the beginning of a new reign and the assumption of new responsibilities - so maybe not so different from a marriage at its start if we think about it.

However the Coronation also represents the continuation of a tradition and the passing down of authority from one generation to the next - and on a symbolic level we might even say that could perhaps represent the growth of those partners as they have their children and move towards the acts of christening or other symbolic acts of faith that occur generationally too.

In the context of interchurch families, the coronation could symbolize the coming together of two different traditions to create something new. Just as a new monarch assumes the responsibility of leading their country, an interchurch family must navigate the challenges of reconciling their different beliefs and practices in order to create a strong and unified family unit.

Additionally, the coronation often involves a public display of unity and support towards the new monarch from a range of people of different persuasions across the country. In a similar way, an interchurch family may need to seek support and understanding from their larger community, whether it be their respective church communities or their friends and extended family.

Overall, while for most there may not seem to be a direct or obvious connection between the coronation and interchurch families, symbolically both can be seen as representing the challenges and opportunities that come with the merging of different traditions and the assumption of new roles and responsibilities.

In the context of the coronation of King Charles III, it represents a continuation of the tradition of monarchy in the United Kingdom, something that for some may seem immutable, for others redundant, and for most just an interesting activity and time to celebrate. But yet, as we see in the preparations and inclusions that have made the news because they seem a little out of the norm for most coronations, it can also be an opportunity for change and evolution. Changes, even small ones such as including others who in the past may not have been included can potentially address issues faced by different groups, including interchurch families, by promoting understanding and inclusivity across different traditions, denominations and faith.

Furthermore, the coronation of King Charles III can also serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and collaboration within families and communities, regardless of religious or cultural differences. It could be an opportunity for interchurch families to come together and celebrate the new reign, while also acknowledging the unique challenges they may face in working towards greater understanding and harmony.

So this weekend many Interchurch Families will celebrate both at home in their own family units but also out in the world, in their shared churches, in their own churches, in the hope that all churches may find it in time to more easily become places of radical welcome and inclusion too, places where vows are offered, where the anointing of baptism or the charism of confirmation happens with the welcome and attendance of others joined in faith and unity together, even in their different forms of tradition.

And as the Association of Interchurch Families we offer our thanks for the service of the Monarch and

'As children of the Kingdom of God

We welcome you in the name of the King of Kings,

God Save the King! '

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Happy New Year! January —The Courage to Begin Again

By Melanie Carroll • January 1, 2026

JANUARY — The Courage to Begin Again January is a month often framed by fresh starts, renewed hopes, and the desire to step into the year with intention. For many interchurch families, however, the idea of “beginning again” is not simply about turning the page on a calendar; it is a rhythm woven into their very way of life. Interchurch families live at the intersection of traditions, expectations, and identities. As a result, the courage to begin again is not seasonal — it is habitual. Yet January gives us an opportunity to name that courage, honour it, and recognise the spiritual depth it carries. Beginning again may be as practical as shifting Sunday worship patterns because a child’s schedule has changed, or as emotional as revisiting conversations about belonging that have long been sources of tension. It may involve addressing unresolved experiences from last year — a moment when a priest or minister misunderstood your family dynamic, or when extended family expressed opinions about your choices to raise your children in both traditions. For some, beginning again may be choosing to return to church life after a season of being stretched thin or feeling spiritually exhausted. The idea of “courage” can sound dramatic, but for interchurch families it is often quiet, steady, and almost unnoticed. It is the courage of showing up in a church that is yours but not fully yours. It is the courage of continuing to pray for unity when you feel the strain of disunity most sharply. It is the courage of teaching children that they are not divided but doubly enriched, even when the world struggles to understand that reality. January invites us to reflect on the difference between courage as a moment and courage as a practice. A single moment of bravery can be powerful, but interchurch life asks for something more: a patient, ongoing willingness to step forward, again and again, even when the way is uncertain. Beginning again in this context is not naïve optimism; it is a spiritual discipline rooted in hope. For many interchurch families, hope is what sustains the courage to begin again. Hope that the churches we love will continue to grow closer. Hope that our children will be able to live out their faith identities freely and fully. Hope that our own callings — lay or ordained, formal or informal — will be recognised and supported in both of our traditions. January reminds us that these hopes need tending, and tending requires courage. Scripturally, we often turn to passages that speak of new beginnings — “Behold, I am doing a new thing” or “His mercies are new every morning.” But for interchurch families, it may be equally valuable to reflect on the stories where God’s people must take small, faithful steps into uncertain territory. Abraham setting out “not knowing where he was going.” Peter stepping onto the water with trembling confidence. The disciples returning again to the upper room to pray and wait when they did not know what God would do next. These moments resonate deeply with interchurch experience. Beginning again is not about control; it is about trust. It is about trusting God with your family’s decisions, your children’s spirituality, and your own dual belonging. It is about trusting that unity is not only a prayer but a promise — one that will unfold over time, even if we do not yet see the full picture. January also encourages us to reflect on the internal dimension of beginning again. Many interchurch families carry memories of past experiences — some beautiful, some painful. The courage to begin again includes the courage to forgive, to heal, to remain open. Unity in the home requires unity of heart, and unity of heart requires the bravery to keep loving generously across difference. Perhaps you find yourself this January feeling hopeful, or perhaps tired. Perhaps you are longing for clarity about church commitments, or simply grateful for the stability your family has found. Whatever this year begins with for you, hear this blessing: Your courage is seen. Your hope is holy. Your faithfulness is part of the very story of Christian unity that the whole Church longs for. As we enter 2026, may you find the gentle strength to begin again — not because January demands it, but because God is already ahead of you on the path, welcoming you into the year with grace. Melanie Carroll - Executive Officer

A Christmas & New Year Prayer

By Melanie Carroll • January 1, 2026

Eternal God, at Christmas we give you thanks for the gift of your Son, born among us to bring light into the world and to draw all people into your reconciling love. As the Association of Interchurch Families, we come before you as those who live daily across Christian traditions, seeking to hold together faith, family, and unity in Christ. We give thanks for the churches and friends who walk alongside us, support us, and share in this calling. At this turning of the year, we pray that the light of Christ, first seen in the manger, may continue to shape our shared life. Grant to your Church and all people a generosity of spirit, patience in difference, and a deepened commitment to the unity we share through birth and baptism. As one year ends and another begins, renew our common resolve to listen well, to learn from lived experience, and to bear faithful witness together to the truth that unity in Christ does not require uniformity, but is grounded in Love. May the joy and hope of Christmas remain with us in the year ahead, strengthening our partnerships, guiding our discernment, and drawing us ever more deeply into your peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Word made flesh, the light of the world, now and for ever. Amen.