Westminster Abbey

Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.   In this episode, The Reverend Helena Bickley-Percival contextualises the hymn Abide with me – from its origins and Biblical inspiration to its miraculous powers for solders in the First World War.   Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.   These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets. 

Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.   In this episode, sub-organist of Westminster Abbey Matthew Jorysz talks through how poetic lines about heaven and angels were turned into a double-choir anthem in Faire is the heaven.   Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.   These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets. 

Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.   In this episode, Stuart O’Hara, a bass lay vicar in the Abbey Choir examines John Milton’s Blest Pair of Sirens and how careful composition is used to turn his words into a glorification of God.   Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.   These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets. 

Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.   In this episode, The Reverend Mark Birch talks about William Blake and the context in which he was writing to produce the well-known verses of Jerusalem.   Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.   These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.   

In his Ascension Day sermon, Acting Minor Canon Ralph Godsall talks about the significance and importance of the day and the different truths it offers. Ascension Day occurs forty days after Easter Day and it marks Christ’s Ascension into heaven. It is a celebration of the power and authority of the lordship of the risen Christ and the commissioning of his disciples to continue his work. The Ascension is closely connected with the theme of mission and anticipates the birth of the worldwide Church.

The Dean speaks about those who died at Gallipoli and those who have died in conflict since whilst drawing upon ideas the Book of Revelation wants to offer us: We should be known not forgotten. We belong together not apart. The Dean also tells a personal story about his Grandfather, who was saved by his bible and a cigarette case during the First World War. ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey by allied forces on 25th April 1915. What followed was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. In Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC Day not only commemorates those first landings at Gallipoli, but also all Australians and New Zealanders who have given of themselves in the service of their countries and communities in the years since. Westminster Abbey has been closely associated with ANZAC Day commemorations from the very beginning. Services of Commemoration and Thanksgiving continue to be held regularly at the Abbey.

On Easter Day, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle reminds us that Thomas needed proof of Jesus’ Resurrection, before reflecting upon what it means to be a Christian. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Beginning with the Gospel according to Matthew 27:57-66, The Reverend Dr James Hawkey talks about the day of stillness, the reality of Jesus’ death and the significance of it today. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

On Good Friday, The Reverend Mark Birch focuses on the distinction between the cross and the crucifix, and how we remember Jesus’ death as a perversion of justice. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle considers the Gospel according to John on Maundy Thursday, comparing the atmosphere in the city of Jerusalem to the words Jesus is sharing with his disciples. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Beginning with a reading from the Gospel according to Mark, The Reverend Dr James Hawkey discusses the sentiment of Palm Sunday in relation to the story and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

On the fifth Sunday of Lent, the pivot between Lent and Passiontide, The Reverend Mark Birch considers the significance of pivotal moments. The reflection begins with a reading of John 12:20-33. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Following a reading of John 3:14-21, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle reminds us of tales of snakes within the Bible and ponders the idea of temptation during Lent on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Beginning with John 2:13-22, the reflection by The Reverend Dr James Hawkey on the third Sunday of Lent explores how people respond to sacred space as part of their worship. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

On the second Sunday of Lent, The Reverend Mark Birch reflects on Peter’s denial of Jesus and how it is represented visually on the altar of the Lady Chapel with a crowing cockerel statue. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

On the first Sunday of Lent, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle considers the imagery of the shifting season and the role of nature within Lent, following a reading of Mark 1:9-15. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Beginning with Matthew 6:16-21, The Reverend Dr James Hawkey explores the significance of the cross of ash being marked on foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Join the Westminster Abbey community from wherever you are in the world with this upcoming series of reflections, including a Bible passage and a prayer from Abbey priests. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil and Tim Livesey, Chief Executive, Embrace the Middle East discuss discuss dignity and hostility   Archbishop Bashar Warda is Archbishop of Erbil. Ordained a priest in 1993, he joined the Redemptorist order of Flanders in Belgium two years later. After receiving his MA at the Catholic University of Louvain in 1999 he returned to Iraq. In 2009 the Synod of Bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church elected him for service as a bishop. Bishop Warda was consecrated in July 2010. Tim Livesey is Chief Executive of Embrace the Middle East, a medium-sized UK charity which works with 50 civil society and church affiliated partners helping to sustain Christian social witness in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel and Iraq, including the Chaldean diocese in Erbil.

Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE discusses dignity and imprisonment with a guest speaker from the Prison and Probation Service.