St Paul's Cathedral

Please note that this podcast has been edited to remove any poems read out at the workshop due to copyright issues. Poems which were read out were at 00.05.25.517 - 'The Kingdom' from the collection 'Hm'm', at 00.23.50.331 - 'This To Do' which can be found in Collected Poems, at 00.33.52.143 - 'Kneeling' which can be found in Collected Poems and at 00.43.16.446 - 'The Gap' which can be found in 'Frequencies'. R.S. Thomas is one of the finest poets of the 20th century. His subject matter is the search for God, and his insights into the life of faith – from rebellion to reverence – are razor-sharp. Seamus Heaney described him as ‘a loner taking on the universe, a kind of Clint Eastwood of the spirit’. This workshop was originally to be led by Mark Oakley, Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Carys Walsh led the workshop in his place. The Revd Dr Carys Walsh is Tutor and Lecturer in Christian Spirituality at St Mellitus College in the London Diocese, and has a Phd in Christian Spirituality, focussing on the Sacramental Vision of R S Thomas. She previously worked in the Ministry Division of the Church of England, selecting those who go forward for training to be ordained, and as a psychotherapist. Recorded 14 April 2018.

Sermon by the Reverend Canon Tricia Hillas, Canon Pastor, at Evensong on the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 29 April 2018.

Sermon by Paul Woodbridge, Tutor in New Testament and Director of College Placements, Oakhill College, at Sung Eucharist on the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 29 April 2018.

Sermon by The Reverend Prebendary Stephen Coles, Vicar, St Thomas the Apostle, Finsbury Park, at Evensong on St George's Day, Monday 23 April 2018.

What is it that makes you who you are? In the West we live with a passionately autobiographical sense of self – I am who I am so long as I can tell my own story. Research tells us that people are more afraid of dementia than cancer because loss of identity is the worst thing we can imagine. But are there other ways to think about this? Beginning from the experience of people whose identity is seemingly dissolving in dementia, two of our greatest theologians will consider what it really means to be a human being. They will reflect on what roles our bodies, communities, faith and memories play, and ask how God in the person of Christ invites us to a radically new consideration of our humanity in all its variety and vulnerability, including its place in the very heart of the divine life. John Swinton is the Director of The Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability and the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. His theology is founded in his background in nursing, ministry and healthcare chaplaincy. His books include Dementia: Living in the Memories of God, winner of the 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize for best contemporary theological writing, and Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship (both SCM Press). Rowan Williams is the Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and was formerly Archbishop of Canterbury. He is a poet and theologian and the author of numerous academic and popular works of theology, including Being Christian, Being Disciples, and Being Human: Bodies, Minds, Persons (all SPCK). Chaired by Canon Tricia Hillas and recorded on 16 April 2018.

The Reverend Canon Dr Jennifer Smith, Superintendent Minister, Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, preaches at Evensong, the Third Sunday of Easter, 15 April 2018.

The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley, Chancellor, preaches at Evensong on the Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sunday 8 April 2018.

The Reverend Helen O'Sullivan, Priest Vicar and Chaplain at St Paul's Cathedral, preaches at the service of Festal Evensong on Easter Day, 1 April 2018.

Part of the 2018 Lent Sermon Series: Reel Spirituality - Faith and Film. The Reverend Rosemary Morton, Minor Canon and Succentor, explores the film 'Paddington' directed by Paul King (2014) and the ways in which it might open up our understanding of God, the world and the life of faith. Sermon recorded at Evensong on Sunday 25 March 2018.

Part of the 2018 Lent Sermon Series: Reel Spirituality - Faith and Film. The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley, Canon Chancellor, explores the film 'Life is Beautiful' directed by Roberto Benigni (1997) and the ways in which it might open up our understanding of God, the world and the life of faith. Sermon recorded at Evensong on Sunday 18 March 2018.