We live in divided and uncertain times. Conflict and suffering dominate the headlines, and many of us are left asking the same urgent question: What can I actually do? How do we resist injustice without perpetuating the cycle of harm? How do we build something better? And how do we love our neighbour when division feels so deep?
These aren't abstract questions for us at Coventry Cathedral. They're woven into our very foundations – literally and spiritually. Our Cathedral was destroyed in the Blitz of 1940, and in the rubble, Provost Dick Howard spoke words that would define us: "Father forgive." Those two words became our calling: to be a place and people of reconciliation, healing the wounds of history one encounter at a time.
But what does that look like in practice? How do we live out that calling in a world that often feels more divided than ever?
Interview with Reverend Su McClellan
In Episode 6 of Coffee with the Canons, Canon Nitano Muller sits down with Reverend Su McClellan.
Su is the Associate Minister at Coventry Cathedral and Strategic Church Engagement and Advocacy Advisor at Embrace the Middle East, who work with Christians across the region to tackle poverty and injustice in the region.
Her work at Embrace is nurtured by the Cathedral’s ministry and is strengthening her commitment to raising awareness of the Middle Eastern church amongst UK Christians, reflecting that we are all part of the one household of God (Ephesians 2:19)
Su firmly believes that priestly ministry is ultimately about reconciliation. In a world that is so divided and fractured, the message of 2 Corinthians 5:19 is a powerful reminder that we are all called to this ministry. In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself…and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
The conversation explores the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict, how differing but deeply held theological interpretations can prevent churches and individuals holding conversations and spaces of lament for fear of generating more heat than light or causing disunity within their own communities.
We hope this conversation helps you to create space for conversation to deepen understanding and help people see through another’s eyes, both on an individual level and from a church perspective.
Why This Matters Now
If you're asking these questions – if you're wondering how to be a force for good in a broken world – this conversation is for you. At Coventry Cathedral, we are¬ a living community rooted in the belief that reconciliation is possible, that healing is possible, however first comes the hard part of learning to be better neighbours to each other to allow space for truths to be spoken from all sides. That reconciliation cannot come from forgiveness alone but first justice must be heard. Check out our resources below for further learning and listening.
Listen In
Whether you're new to these conversations or you've been following Coffee with the Canons from the start, listen to the full episode on Spotify here or Apple Podcasts.
Further Resources:
Gracious Dialogue: A Guide to Listening and Speaking Well About Israel and Palestine: https://shop.embraceme.org/gracious-dialogue?srsltid=AfmBOopt8WxpMOH_GMCDsA7xfAFNjvhipl7XvhSOnvJV2vTJKCsogRsp
Further listening on the Middle East with the EMBRACE Podcast: https://embraceme.org/podcast
