The next lunchtime learning sessions will be on the theme of Praying with Classic Prayers. Each month our speaker will take a famous or classic prayer and talk about why that prayer and its themes resonates for them and for today.
Booking will be available shortly, but here are details of each of the sessions:
Praying with St Patrick’s Breastplate
- When: Thu 23 Jan, 2025, 12.30-1.30pm on Zoom
- Leader: Alison Maddocks
This term we are exploring the spirituality of classic prayers, and how they might help us pray today. In the first of our series and fresh from having sailed round the Atlantic coast of Ireland last summer, Alison Maddocks will reflect on the prayer known as St Patrick’s Breastplate.
It’s in many of our hymn books in a version written by Mrs C F Alexander. It is perhaps the best known prayer of the whole Celtic tradition of praying and reflects many of the themes of that tradition, and offers us much food for thought for our own prayers. A copy of the prayer will be sent out with the Zoom link.
Alison Maddocks is the Dean of Smaller Churches, and a priest in this diocese. She and her husband are also enthusiastic sailors.
Praying with the Ash Wednesday Collect
- When: Wed 19 Feb, 2025, 12.30-1.30pm on Zoom
- Leader: Stephen Edwards
This term we are exploring the spirituality of classic prayers, and how they might help us pray today. In the second of our series, the Dean of Worcester will reflect on one of the best known collects of the Anglican tradition.
Many Anglicans used to learn some collects by heart, and as a prayer that used to be prayed every day in Lent, the Collect for Ash Wednesday was one of those most likely to be learnt by heart and widely known. As we prepare for the start of Lent in a fortnight’s time, this collect helps us think about how we might pray and see ourselves before God at this time. A copy of the prayer will be sent out with the Zoom link.
Stephen Edwards is the Dean of Worcester, an enthusiast for church architecture, and the proud owner of a dog called Jorja.
Praying with the General Thanksgiving
- When: Wed 12 March, 12.30-1.30pm on Zoom
- Leader: Bishop Martin
This term we are exploring the spirituality of classic prayers, and how they might help us pray today. In the last of this series, Bishop Martin will explore one of the classic prayers of the Book of Common Prayer, the General Thanksgiving.
This was a late addition to the Prayer Book, being added in 1662 by the man who became Bishop of Norwich at the Restoration. It used to be a staple of prayers at traditional Mattins and Evensong, and is still valued by many as a prayer that helps us “lift up our hearts”. Bishop Martin will explore what the prayer has to teach us about being thankful in our own prayers. A copy of the prayer will be sent out with the Zoom link.
Martin Gorick is the Bishop of Dudley, and Acting Bishop of Worcester.
