The first of two well attended conferences entitled ‘Christians Awakening to a New Age’ was held in 1991. Exposure to teaching from other faiths and learning to meditate had caused people to re-examine their Christian beliefs. Later, the name was changed to ‘Christians Awakening to a New Awareness’. Many experienced a great relief in finding others who were similarly expanding their understanding of Christianity and CANA was formed.

In subsequent years of conferences, retreats and sharing, groups were held around the country, and our numbers grew.

In 1999 a group of members created a study paper entitled Exploring Ways Forward for Christians in the Twenty-First Century.

Later we published a book, A New Framework for Christian Belief. These have been followed by a number of study papers and a further book, Awakening to a New Awareness: stories of contemporary Christians.

CANA today

Numbers continue to grow, attracting both laity and clergy who are refreshed by being amongst people who are exploring faith in an open way. CANA is more of a web-like organism than an organisation and is run by a Core Group of volunteers.