Autumn thinking and learning in our Cathedrals

Durham, Guildford and St Edmundsbury Cathedrals have launched an autumn season of lectures and talks on key issues spanning child poverty, theology and music, interfaith dialogue in a dangerous world and the US presidential race.

Lectures and talks at Durham, Guildford, Bradford and St Edmundsbury Cathedrals

Starting this week in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, its series of Big Issues lectures opens with “A Different God? A Different Mountain?”, a talk by Dr Ed Kessler MBE. Ed is the founder and President of the Woolf Institute and a leading thinker in Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations.

He is also Chair of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees and Fellow of St Edmunds College, Cambridge. In his talk, he will address the question: In an increasingly polarised and dangerous world, what’s the point of interfaith dialogue?

Wed 9 October – 7pm

“A Very British Scandal” follows with Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, who asks why do so many British children live in poverty.

Wed 30 October – 7pm

The series concludes with “Climate Change: Science and Solutions” on Wednesday 20 November at 7.00 pm with Professor Rachel Warren.

Interdisciplinary synthesist Professor Rachel Warren is Professor of Global Change and Environmental Biology at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, UK. Rachel is a joint author of a Nobel Peace Prize-winning intergovernmental report on climate change (2007) and co-authored the UN Environment Programme’s Making Peace with Nature report (2021).

Lectures are free to attend but booking is advised. You can book here.

 

Durham Cathedral is inviting people to put their questions to national leaders and experts this autumn with the announcement of two events that will delve into critical issues affecting both the UK and the global community: criminal justice, and the US Presidential Election.

The free events on Thursday 17 October and Tuesday 5 November are part of a series from the Durham Cathedral Institute. The Institute is a public square initiative, bringing the UK national conversation on major political, social and ethical issues to the North East.

The first event, “Rough Justice? Do We Have The Criminal Justice System We Deserve” will ask whether Britain’s criminal justice system is working – and, if so, for whom?

This pressing question will be explored in depth by former Old Bailey judge and best-selling author of Unlawful Killings, Wendy Joseph, KC, together with other distinguished experts.

The second event, “Prospects for US Politics: An Election-Day Conversation”, on Tuesday 5 November at 2pm, will take a look at what is at stake in this year’s US Presidential Election for the UK and the world. Dr Fiona Hill, Chancellor of Durham University and former presidential advisor, will discuss these critical issues in conversation with The Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham.

Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham said:

“At Durham Cathedral we are delighted to offer these opportunities for the community to engage with leading experts on such pivotal issues in God’s world today. 

“These events are not just about listening, but about participating in meaningful dialogue that can shape our understanding and responses to the challenges we face. All are welcome to join us, ask questions, and be part of these important conversations.”

Both events are free and attendees will be invited to join the debate by submitting questions to the speakers. Free tickets can be booked online on the Durham Cathedral website here.

When booking a ticket, members of the public have the option to donate to support the work of Durham Cathedral Institute.

 

And Guildford Cathedral will welcome the Revd Prof Jeremy Begbie to its next Theology Hub in the cathedral on 24th October.

Rev Prof Begbie is a theologian and professionally trained musician and will be speaking about the relationship between theology and music.

He is currently Thomas A. Langford Distinguished Research Professor of Theology at Duke Divinity School and is also an affiliated lecturer in the Faculty of Music at Cambridge.

He has performed as a pianist and conductor, speaks and teaches internationally, and is the author of many acclaimed books. He has taught theology at Duke, Cambridge and St Andrews. He is no stranger to Guildford, having been ordained in the Cathedral, and we are delighted to welcome him back.

His presentation will feature a grand piano!

‘Precisely because it’s saturated in good news, theology is not only demanding, but endlessly exhilarating,” he said.

Tickets are £10 and can be booked here.

 

Bradford Cathedral will see the official launch of a series of short  films for a secular society called: ‘You Need to Talk about God’.

Created by the Revd Canon Robin Gamble, former Bishop’s Advisor for Church Growth in the Leeds Diocese, and film-maker,  Tom Harmer of Faith + Bones films, they cover subjects including:

• Does He exist
• What about science and suffering?
• Where does Jesus fit in and why we all need to make up our minds.

The Revd Canon Robin Gamble said: “As a society we are suffering from ‘God Amnesia’. We are not so much God rejectors as God forgetters.

“These films are designed to get us all talking, thinking and remembering.”

Launch event in Bradford Cathedral at 7pm on 24 October. All welcome. Further information can be found here.