Sunday Forum

A Sunday lunchtime series in which some of the liveliest contemporary theologians and spiritual teachers speak about the challenges, contradictions and joys of being a Christian in the world today. Each event includes time for questions and answers.

The events take place 1-2pm on the first Sunday in the month in the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral. Admission is free, un-ticketed and open to all, and seating is first come, first served.

You can watch videos of previous Sunday Forums events here

Sunday Forum 2012

St Paul’s Cathedral, 1 – 2pm on the first Sunday of the month.

A Sunday lunchtime series in which some of the liveliest contemporary theologians and spiritual teachers speak about the challenges, contradictions and joys of being a Christian in the world today. Each event includes time for questions and answers.

The events are in the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral, admission is free, unticketed and open to all, and seating is first come, first served.

5 February

Joseph: Insights for the Spiritual Journey

Sara Savage

Joseph’s story is one of the most dramatic and best-known in the Old Testament. From favourite son, he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers; from being a prisoner in a foreign gaol he becomes the most powerful man in Eqypt and his brothers then fall into his hands to punish or forgive: full of dramatic reversals, risks and reconciliations, it is human life writ large. Dr Sara Savage is a social psychologist working in the Psychology and Religion Research Group at the University of Cambridge. In Joseph:Insights for the Spiritual Journey (SPCK 2011) she retells his story, interweaving psychological expertise with Biblical insights, illuminating some of the hardest trials of life - including depression, grief and stress - and ultimately pointing to ways of transformation.

4 March

The Re-enchantment of Morality: Wisdom for a Troubled World

Richard Harries

Today's society is in a state of confusion aboutthe basisof our morality. Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford, will illustrate the relationship between Christianity and the decisions we make, drawing on the biblical theme of Divine Wisdom and the radical teachings of Jesus, giving profound appeal back to morality. His book The Re-enchantment of Morality(SPCK 2008), shortlisted for the Michael Ramsay Prize for outstanding theological writing, considers the four great drivers of human conduct - sex, money, power and fame - and offersguidance in the many decisions we all have to make. Richard Harries was Bishop of Oxford from1987-2006 and now sits in the House of Lords as an independent Life Peer and is Honorary Professor of Theology at King’s College, London.

1 April, Palm Sunday.

Dancing in the Dark: some thoughts for Holy Week

Adrian Newman

Holy Week and Easter Sunday are the pinnacle of the Christian year, taking us day- by-day through theessential spiritual discipline of contemplating the trial and crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection of Christ. This pattern of suffering, death and resurrection is at the heart of Christianity and illuminates every aspect of our humanity. The Rt Revd Adrian Newman, The Bishop of Stepney will reflect on how to keep dancing when our world is filled with darkness and difficulty.

6 May

The Meaning in the Miracles

Jeffrey John

The Gospel miracles can be difficult for us as 21^st century people to engage with, and we often get stuck on literalism – did this really happen? – and so miss their meaning. The Very Revd Jeffrey John, Dean of St Alban’s Cathedral and author of The Meaning in the Miracles (Canterbury Press 2001) will explore the Gospel miracles’ prophetic and theological significance, and in particular, how the healing miracles challenge us to consider if and how we ourselves want to be healed.

3 June, Trinity Sunday

Hildegard of Bingen’s Vision of the Trinity

June Boyce-Tillman

The Trinity is one of the most difficult ideas in Christianity to get to grips with - everyone from St Augustine onwards wrestles with it, and Trinity Sunday is notoriously many preachers least favourite day of the year. But this Trinity Sunday we will look at Hildegard of Bingen’s Vision of the Trinity and see if we can find a way, with her, to fall in love with the interconnectedness of God, the world and ourselves. The Revd Professor June Boyce-Tillman is Professor of Music at Winchester University, author of The Creative Spirit: Harmonious Living with Hildegard of Bingen (Canterbury Press 2000) and founder of the Hildegard Network which brings together arts, healing and theology.

1 July

Dreaming of Home

Michael Mitton

 Finding a sense of home, a special place of acceptance and belonging, is a universal human longing. Michael Mitton will consider the sense of homecoming as an essential part of both personal development and spiritual renewal, and how we can go about finding our true home within God's eternal kingdom, including identifying forces within us that may hinder this search. The Revd Canon Michael Mitton, author of Dreaming of Home(BRF 2012) is a writer, spiritual director and the Fresh Expressions Adviser for the Derby Diocese, as well as being the author of numerous books including Wild Beasts and Angels, A Heart to Listen and Restoring the Woven Cord on Celtic Christianity.

There is no Sunday Forum in August, but we will return on 2 September with the John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, speaking about the Living Jesus.

For films of previous events please go to www.stpauls.co.uk/View-St-Pauls-Videos

St Paul’s Forum

St Paul’s Forum runs a programme of events at St Paul’s Cathedral exploring Christian life and spirituality. The programme is open to all and will continue with retreats, reflective study days, services, public debates and talks. For full details of the programme and other events run by St Paul’s Forum, please contact us at:

St Paul’s Forum, 3b Amen Court, London EC4M 7BU

Join our mailing list by emailing with the subject: Subscribe to Forum Mailing List or call 020 7236 3553.