Education and Ethos the focus of Dublin Anglo Nordic Baltic Theological Conference
From the Diocese of Dublin Communications Office, Church of Ireland
The Anglo Nordic Baltic Theological Conference takes place in Dublin for the first time next week. Delegates from all over Europe, in particular the Nordic Baltic countries, as well as participants from Ireland and Britain, will focus on the theme ‘Education, Ethos and Social Transformation’.
The conference will be hosted by the Church of Ireland College of Education, by kind permission of the Principal Dr Anne Lodge, from August 27 to 29.
The Anglo Nordic Baltic Theological Conference has been taking place every two years since 1929. It takes the form of a ‘Theological House Party’ and provides an opportunity to share theological ideas in an analytical way in an informal and friendly setting. This is the first time in its 84-year history that it will take place in Ireland. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, is its chairperson.
The conference will be attended by church people and scholars from many parts of Europe. Apart from being exposed to a variety of styles of theology, the conference enables Lutherans and Anglicans to foster a sense of mutual understanding in the Nordic-Baltic context. Set against the background of the Porvoo Agreement, the conference is an important forum where delegates of member churches can meet and talk as members of the same family allowing genuine conversation and engagement to take place.
Principal of the Church of Ireland College of Education, Dr Anne Lodge, with the steering committee of the Anglo Nordic Baltic Theological Conference the Revd Dr Miranda Threlfall–Holmes, Vicar of St Mary Magdalene Belmont and St Laurence, Pittington, Durham; the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson (chair); and the Revd Dr Mika KT Pajunen, Theological Advisor to the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The conference is taking place in the Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin.
Photo Credit: Church Of Ireland
The three-day conference draws together a broad range of people associated with this year’s theme. Keynote speakers from Ireland include the Revd Dr Ian Ellis, Professor Brian MacCraith, the Revd Dr David Tuohy, Dr Tony Walsh and Dr Gerry Jeffers.
Areas covered will include ethos and education, educational ethos in legal and social contexts, and social transformation and ethnic diversity in Ireland today. Aspects of the life and work of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough will also feature in the conference.
The participating churches share a responsibility for education and the preparation of children and young people for informed participative citizenship together with a sense of mission and service which expresses itself in social action.