Archbishop of Canterbury extends course on reconciliation to schools and church groups

More than 400 young people gathered in the Archbishop’s Gardens of Canterbury this week to celebrate the expansion of a course focused on reconciliation.

The initiative, known as ‘The Difference’, is an integral part of the Most Revd Justin Welby’s ministry of reconciliation. Earlier this year, Archbishop Welby announced the extension of the course to secondary schools, offering resources designed to equip young people with the skills to constructively navigate differences and disagreements.

Through a series of engaging sessions, participants engage in meaningful dialogue, practical exercises and reflective activities designed to foster empathy, understanding and resilience. Developed in collaboration with youth workers and education experts, the course has been pilot tested in several churches across the country.

Addressing the participants, Archbishop Justin emphasized the importance of community and diversity, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ example of embracing all, regardless of differences. He emphasized the essential role of the Church as “agents of transformation in the world”, despite internal disagreements and conflicts.

“The Difference Course,” noted Archbishop Justin, “changes lives because it does what God asks. It values ​​diversity because God created diversity. Unity is sought, not unanimity. It doesn’t say you all have to think the same, it says you can be different because you are different. It’s simple and fun.”

“I did it with some friends a few years ago to see if it worked and how it was, and it was just amazingly helpful. And the difference doesn’t simplify much. The biggest mistake we can make in reconciliation is to simplify the complicated. Relationships are incredibly complicated, whether in a youth group or a family, or between Israel and Palestine, or in Ukraine or in a civil war. They are incredibly complicated.”

Lambeth Palace

Activities during the event extended late into the evening, including football skills workshops run by education and social inclusion charity Football Beyond Borders. Participants were invited to contribute prayers for peace, explore materials from the Difference course, and experience an engaging “prayer maze”—a walking meditation focused on peace and reconciliation.

Archbishop Justin concluded: “This country can do two things in your lifetime to be the most diverse country on Earth. It can be the most generous, amazing, caring, transformative, exciting place where diversity is celebrated and is a gift. Or we can turn into our little groups and miss what God wants for us. And it’s not my wife that will make that difference, it’s your fate – the young people who are here and those like them.

“Thank you for being here. It’s amazing that you are. And my challenge to you is that I believe God is calling you to put Jesus at the center of your life, to change the way this world works. That is within our reach. Let’s make it happen. Thank you.”

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