The CCCW Archives – “a central part of the architecture of world Christianity.”

A glowing endorsement of the value and significance of the archive papers held at the CCCW was recently given by Derek Peterson, an expert on East African Christianity.

Peterson’s recent book Ethnic Patriotism and the East African Revival: A History of Dissent drew heavily on research he carried out at the Centre, as described in our current ‘Spotlight on the Archive’ feature.

The HMC are delighted to announce that Prof David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge and HMT Ex-Officio Trustee has been awarded The Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation. Prof. David Ford is Founder and Director of the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme.

Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation

The Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation will once again to be awarded next month during a prestigious event at Coventry Cathedral.

The peace prize is an annual accolade that was relaunched in 2010 to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz. It honours initiatives, organisations, individuals or projects that have made an exemplary contribution in the areas of peace, reconciliation and campaigns for social and environmental wellbeing. This year’s prize will be presented to Prof. David Ford, Founder and Director of the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme. After the official award ceremony, Prof. Ford will be facilitating an inter-faith conversation among his colleagues on the role of inter-faith dialogue in global peace building. The conversation will include Senior Rabbi Alexandra Wright (Jewish) at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, Dr. Aref Ali Nayed (Muslim), Founder and Director of Kalam Research & Media (KRM) and Libyan ambassador to the UAE until July this year, and Jerry White (Christian), a policy adviser on partnerships and learning in relation to post-conflict stabilisation who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for his work on banning land mines.

David Porter, Canon for reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, said:

“I am delighted that Prof. David Ford of the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme is receiving this award, in a world where misunderstanding so easily prevails between religions. We are privileged and excited to welcome such distinguished guests to the city and look forward to listening to their conversation.”

The judging panel is made up of the Lord Mayor, the Bishop of Coventry, the Dean of Coventry Cathedral, and Madeleine Atkins, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University. Past winners of this prestigious prize include Responding to Conflict, a leading organisation in the field of conflict transformation, and Cord, who work alongside people displaced by violent conflict to rebuilding their lives and communities.

The ceremony will be held on November 14^th, 7pm at Coventry Cathedral and is open to all, no ticket required. The beautiful oak and oxidised brass award being presented on the night was designed by local artist Rachel Sutton, a Coventry University arts graduate.

Notes to editor

More information is available at www.coventrypeaceprize.org.uk

The Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings will give two talks on Henry Martyn.

He will also be giving the annual Benson lecture at Truro Cathedral on Saturday 13 Oct 2012, 5.30pm.  The title of the lecture will be, ‘Henry Martyn: Son of Cornwall and Missionary Scholar’. http://www.trurocathedral.org.uk/

Bishop Kings will give the Cambridge sermon, at St John’s College, Cambridge on Sunday 21 Oct 2012, 6.30pm. The title of the sermon is ‘Henry Martyn: Scholar, Missionary and Translator’. http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/chapel_and_choir

Commerative Evensong for the Bicentenary of Henry Martyn at 6.30pm, Wed 17th October, St John’s College Chapel. http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/current-service-list