Classifying the Community of the Cross of Nails is a difficult task. Is it a social ministry? Is it a pastoral ministry? Is it a spiritual ministry? Involvement in the St. Paul-Chapel of the Cross Center of the Cross of Nails embodies all of these. Involvement in the Cross of Nails is involvement in the ministry of reconciliation.

What is the ministry of reconciliation? The dictionary defines “reconcile” as a verb meaning to re-establish a relationship, to settle or resolve, to make compatible or consistent, and to bring onself to accept. The national Cross of Nails organization, CCN-USA, sets the foundation of the ministry as the hope that the growth and new life inherent in a healing process will be able to mend any breakage or discord in the world, no matter how devastating it may be. The ministry involves a disciplined spiritual life of prayer and study as well as an action oriented component. The national organization’s ministry seeks to break down the unconscious barriers of nationalism, culture, race, class, and religious prejudice.

But what does all that mean to us, right here, in Chapel Hill and Carrboro? When asked how to make a difference for peace in the world, Bishop Curry once responded that we must say to ourselves: “Let peace begin with me.” We cannot begin by saving the world. The ministry of reconciliation must be attentive to those issues close at hand. In The St. Paul-Chapel of The Cross Center of the Cross of Nails we are involved in a process of reconciliation in ever widening circles that reach out first from our relationship to God, next to our relationships in our families and community, and then extend to issues of discord affecting our national and international communities. The process is ongoing and is different for each Cross of Nails member, with reconciliation efforts occurring simultaneously at each level.

If one had to classify the efforts of our Cross of Nails center, it could be called ‘education and outreach.’ We meet on the third Sunday of each month for informative and/or action oriented meetings. In February, we began a four-part series on race relations in our community. At the same time, involvement in the ministry of reconciliation is a personal experience, and one of the benefits of our Cross of Nails Center is the support and fellowship shared among our participants. What can the ministry of reconciliation mean to you? Please join us in the Community of The Cross of Nails to find out.

Joyce and Lew Roland of St. Paul AME describe their connections with Cross of Nails:

“ We became interested in Cross of Nails in March of 2000 when the relationship between the two Chapel Hill parishes became official and we became officially a Cross of Nails Center in Chapel Hill. We began attending the meetings held monthly at the Chapel of the Cross and St. Paul AME shortly after that. In December of 2001, Steven Stanley invited us to attend the Fall regional conference of the National Cross of Nails held at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC, representing St. Paul, since St. Paul was now part of the sister parish/Cross of Nails relationship. The meeting was right after 9/11 and everyone was trying to deal with the spiritual, political, and emotional fallout related to the terrorist attacks. It became obvious to everyone that we did not know a lot about Muslims and their religious beliefs and practices. We came home from that meeting very touched by the sharing of information that occurred at the conference. We met Cross of Nails members from all over the United States and learned the history of the Cross of Nails, especially the Germany and England connection. Canon Andrew White was part of that assembly and others who work for understanding and reconciliation between previously warring countries. I think we came back from that meeting very motivated to get more involved in promoting ‘truth and reconciliation’ activities however we could. One thing led to another and, before 2002 was over, we became active participants in the local Cross of Nails group. Joyce became vice president of the local group.

“ In thinking over our involvement, we both conclude that being involved in Cross of Nails gives us a global perspective of activities in the world that attempt to address ‘peace and reconciliation.’ We particularly liked the idea of the church being a leader in bringing about truth and reconciliation at the international, national, and local level. (Think globally, act locally, perhaps). We truly feel as part of a group such as this we can have a tremendous impact on effecting change in the world in which we live. Effecting change in places such as Protea Village in South Africa is a first step in being a part of trying to bring about forgiveness, truth, and reconciliation with our prayers and involvement in that situation in South African that may be seen as very akin to the sociopolitical changes in the U. S. over the last 40 years. It is difficult to put in a few words what we hope to achieve by being involved in this organization, but often becoming involved is the first step in effecting healing in our own lives. We both grew up in the segregated south of the '50s and '60s, and have witnessed and been the beneficiaries of many of these changes. After four decades, the sociopolitical climate in the US has improved, yet much remains to be done at all levels. Our involvement in Cross of Nails represents our commitment to doing our part as part of the Faith community to bring about more love and forgiveness in the world. It is part of our personal belief that this is what God would have us do. In our own way we are trying to bring about truth, reconciliation, and forgiveness in the world in which we live.”

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