St Paul's Cathedral

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.

Is Christ on the cross our brother in suffering or our King in triumph? Jesus’ death is at the heart of Christianity, but the four Gospel accounts are very different and the cross has been seen as both the throne of God’s glory and the place of ultimate desolation and defeat. In addition we have 2,000 years of interpretations, paintings, poems, theologies and liturgies that add to the complexity, and sometimes to the confusion. Paula Gooder and Mark Oakley will look at different aspects of the cross through the gospels and poetry, exploring some of what we might learn from it not only of sin and reconciliation, but also of new life, love, freedom and creation made new. Recorded 13 March 2018 at St Paul's Cathedral.

Part of the 2018 Lent Sermon Series: Reel Spirituality - Faith and Film. The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Precentor, explores the film 'The Dresser' directed by Peter Yates (1983) 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 11 March 2018.

The Psalms are a unique treasury of spiritual insights, central to both Jewish and Christian devotional life. They were also Jesus’ own prayer book, and are full of themes and experiences which fitted and illuminate his life and story, as they do ours. But they move from exquisite beauty and praise to despair and even vitriolic anger, and need wise interpretation. Megan Daffern describes them as Songs of the Spirit; timeless, making connections between past and present, and allowing us to come closer to God in prayer. She will explore some of what she has learnt from studying, translating and praying these extraordinary songs of hope, challenge and wisdom. The Revd Dr Megan Daffern is Chaplain at Jesus College Oxford and lectures in Old Testament at the University of Oxford. Her latest book is Songs of the Spirit: A Psalm a Day for Lent and Easter (SPCK 2017) which includes her own fresh translations of the Psalms. Recorded on 4 March 2018.