Current Programme
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St Martin-in-the-Fields Education Programme 2011/2012
Radical Compassion: The Gospel and Social Justice
This autumn our series seeks to examine the radical implications of Christ’s life and transforming compassion in relation to issues of social justice. What is Christ saying to the poor, marginalised, and the struggles of our time? Can we rediscover a theology of liberation for today?
The lectures will take place in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church from 7.00pm – 8.30pm. They are free and no booking is required. There will be a retiring collection to cover some of the costs of the programme.
Monday 19 September The Revd Professor Nicholas Sagovsky: Compassion and Justice
Professor Nicholas Sagovsky’s experiences in advocacy and justice for refugees and asylum seekers as a member of both the Independent Asylum Commission and the Churches Refugee Network provide the basis for his discussion of the Gospel in relation to issues of social justice.
Monday 3 October Revd Clare Herbert: Compassion and Protest
As an ‘out’ lesbian priest and active campaigner on behalf of gay and lesbian Christians, Revd Clare Herbert has plenty of experience in fighting for what she believes in. This lecture will explore the ways she has come to terms with needing to express both protest and compassion.
Monday 17 October Neil MacGregor: Compassion and Art
In this lecture the Director of the British Museum uses images to help us enter more profoundly into our understanding of the radical compassion of Christ captured in some of our greatest art treasures, whilst asking the question: Can these works of art speak to our present and deepen our own compassion and humanity?
Monday 31 October Nicola Slee: Compassion and Empowerment
As a poet and theologian who has looked extensively into the relationship between women and spirituality, Nicola’s lecture will address how the radical compassion shown throughout the gospel can lead to female empowerment.
Wednesday 16 November Terry Eagleton: Compassion and Power
Widely regarded as Britain’s most influential literary theorist, Terry Eagleton will consider the contemporary relevance of the Gospel’s critique of power and the use of violence, drawing on themes discussed in his 2010 Richard Price Memorial Lecture ‘The New Atheism and the War on Terror’.
Monday 20 February Dr Robert Beckford: Compassion and Freedom
Dr Robert Beckford is one of the most prolific black documentary presenters in Britain and will use his knowledge of racial tension to discuss Christ’s radical compassion in relation to freedom.
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| Christ Our Light from the Saint John's Bible |
Living the Questions
The poet Rilke speaks of 'loving the questions themselves' as part of our spiritual journey. Living the Questions is an opportunity to question afresh the core issues of the Christian faith accompanied by a number of leading American theologians such as Marcus Borg and Walter Brueggeman. A twenty minute dvd is followed by group discussion with other pilgrims and sceptics. The course offers the chance to name and explore your questions, share your experience - and form a community for a stage of the journey.
Sessions run from 12.15-1.45pm on Sundays in the Austen Williams Room, 6 St Martin's Place WC2N 4JJ (buzzer for the AW Room on the front door entry system) and you are welcome to eat with the group afterwards. Come as a one-off to see how you find it - each session is self-standing and we hope you will want to stay.
The course runs through the educational year in three modules*:
Term 1: Invitation to Journey
1. An invitation to Journey - 11 Sept 2011
2. Taking the Bible Seriously - 25 Sept
3. Thinking Theologically - 2 Oct
4. Stories of Creation - 23 Oct
5. Lives of Jesus - 6 Nov
6. A Passion for Christ: Paul - 20 Nov
7. Out into the World - 11 Dec
Term 2: Reclaiming the World*
8. Restoring Relationships - 8 Jan 2012
9. The Prophetic Jesus - 22 Jan
10. Evil, Suffering and a God of Love - 5 Feb
11. The Myth of Redemptive Violence - 12 Feb
12. Practicing Resurrection - 26 Feb
13. Debunking the Rapture - 11 Mar
14. Reclaiming the World - 18 Mar
Term 3: Call to Covenant*
15. A Kingdom without Walls - 13 May
16. Social Justice: Realising God's Vision - 20 May
17. Incarnation: Divinely Human - 10 June
18. Prayer: Intimacy with God - 17 June
19. Compassion: The Heart of Jesus' Ministry - 24 June
20. Creative Transformation - 8 July
21. Embracing Mystery - 15 July
*Please check back here for confirmation of dates for Terms 2&3
Venue: The Austen Williams Room, 6 St Martin’s Place (buzzer for the Austen Williams room on the front door entry system)
For further details contact Revd Rosy Fairhurst on t: 0207 766 1108 and leave a message or e: rosy.fairhurst@smitf.org
