Theme and Day Trips
The fifteen previous British Reformed Fellowship (BRF) family conferences have had some wonderful themes but union with Christ, the subject in July 2022 in N. Ireland, is perhaps the most appealing. The New Testament is replete with references to our being “in Christ” and His being “in” us. Explicitly combining both concepts, I John 4:13 brings in the Holy Spirit sent by the Lord Jesus as His presence: “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
Union with Christ in Reformed theology, according to Heinrich Heppe, is “a real, wholesale, spiritual and indissoluble union of the person of the elect with … the Redeemer… The implanting of the elect into Christ is thus the beginning of all appropriation of salvation, of all fellowship in salvation and in glory.”
Our two main speakers, Profs. David J. Engelsma and Brian Huizinga from America, will open up and develop our glorious subject in six addresses:
1) Union and the Covenant – Prof. Engelsma
2) Union and Election – Prof. Huizinga
3) Union With Christ’s Death – Prof. Engelsma
4) Union With Christ’s Resurrection – Prof. Huizinga
5) Union and Marriage – Prof. Engelsma
6) Union and the Antithesis – Prof. Huizinga
Rev. Angus Stewart from N. Ireland will give a theological-historical lecture on “John Calvin on Union With Christ” for the Genevan Reformer has much to say on our mystical union with the Lord Jesus.
The first day trip (Monday, 11 July) will take us to Mount Stewart on the northeast shore of Strangford Lough. This beautiful mansion possesses world-class gardens and more than 5½ miles of lovely walking trails, with woodland, farmland, a lake, a hidden glen, monuments and red squirrels. Mount Stewart is associated with fascinating events in Irish, British and European history, especially centring on Viscount Castlereagh, who was central in managing the coalition that defeated Napoleon and at the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), and including the 4-day visit of Hitler’s ambassador, Joachim von Ribbentrop!
Wednesday’s day trip will include an 800-year-old Norman Castle; a “magic hill,” which some reckon involves leprechauns; some beautiful scenery, embracing lakes, mountains and the coast; and an impressive monument to, and a wide-ranging presentation about, the man who burned down the White House!
Attendees and Venue
Like previous BRF conferences, the 2022 gathering will have a rich international flavour, with people coming from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Norway, Singapore, the United States, etc., as well as saints from various parts of the British Isles. It all makes for very interesting fellowship over meals and through the week, as we enjoy our union with Christ and, therefore, with one another. We will also be joined by a number of day visitors.
Lord willing, the conference will run from a Saturday afternoon/evening to the morning of the next Saturday (9-16 July, 2022) and the venue is Castlewellan Castle, Co Down, N. Ireland. The cost is very reasonable and includes three meals a day. For more about this beautiful Victorian castle, with its secret panel, forest, lake, arboretum, gardens, hedgerow maze, sporting activities, amenities, etc., click here.
The booking form and now the programme are available. These two hyperlinks contain more information about the BRF and the 2022 summer conference, plus contact details for the appropriate booking secretaries: Briana Prins (US & Canada), Lisa Ong (Singapore) and Kristin Crossett (British Isles and everywhere else).
