Tue 10 Mar: What really matters
This is the third in a series of talks for Lent held in St Mary's parish church on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. The theme of the series is 'moved by love'.
The speaker on 10 March is Professor Mark Chapman known to some of us as the priest who often starts the Levellers Day in Burford by re-telling the story of the three soldiers executed on Oliver Cromwell’s orders in Burford churchyard in 1649. They belonged to a movement popularly known as the Levellers, with beliefs in civil rights and religious tolerance.
Mark Chapman is Professor of the History of Modern Theology at the University of Oxford and Distinguished Fellow of Ripon College Cuddesdon where he taught for 32 years. He has written widely on many aspects of modern church history and theology and is the author and editor of over 30 books. He is now enjoying semi-retirement in Pershore.
This talk addresses the question of the living out the radical justice demanded by the Gospel in relation to love for the poor. It takes as its example the life and work of one of the most interesting slum priests of the late nineteenth century, Fr Robert Dolling of Portsmouth. It contrasts his method of sharing a common life with the destitute of his parish with the 'benevolent picknicking' of the settlement movement, which nurtured many of the architects of the Welfare State. It also looks at some of the later forays by the church into issues of social justice, before offering a few reflections for the future.
Doors open at 7pm. Admission free. Donations towards expenses and Christian Aid. Everyone is welcome.
Talks arranged by Churches Together in Charlbury.