Seminars
The National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast includes a full programme of seminars, which will take place from 9am to 10:30am after the main breakfast event.
24 June
Westminster Abbey service and tour – 5.00 pm for Evensong followed by tour
Those who are in London on the Evening of Monday 24th June, ahead of the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, are warmly invited to Westminster Abbey for Choral Evensong at 5:00 p.m.
Westminster Abbey has been the Coronation Church since 1066, and the place of Royal Weddings and Funerals. An early fore-runner of Parliament met in the Chapter House and close links with the Houses of Parliament are maintained through St Margaret’s Church, ‘The Parish Church of the House of Commons’. Today Westminster Abbey is the spiritual home of the countries of the Commonwealth, whose annual Observance is celebrated here, and each year over 1 million visitors and ½ million worshippers come to this unique place of Christian witness.
Choral Evensong is sung every day: this is a service of readings from the Bible, Psalms and Prayers. After the service, there will be a welcome from the Dean and Chapter, and then an opportunity to be taken on a tour around the Abbey in private.
25 June
Gunning for God – answering the objections of the New Atheists – a talk and Q & A with Professor John Lennox
*Fully booked*
Professor Lennox recently published a book titled: “Gunning for God: Why the New Atheists are Missing the Target” in which he addresses questions such as:
• Are God and faith enemies of reason and science?
• Is religion poisonous?
• Is atheism poisonous?
• Is the atonement morally repellent?
• Are miracles pure fantasy?
• Can we be good without God?
• Is the God of the Bible a moral despot?
• Did Jesus rise from the dead?
In this seminar Professor Lennox will address any of these topics according to demand and will be happy to answer questions. It promises to be a lively and thought-provoking hour with one of the today’s most eminent Christian apologists.
Bible and Society: the role of the Scriptures in shaping 21st Century Britain
*Fully booked*
In a recent survey for Bible Society, around 55% of the adult population of England and Wales say that they never read the Bible. Yet leading writers, historians, politicians, journalists, artists and scientists frequently state that you cannot understand British culture without appreciating the role of the Bible.
How, then, have the Scriptures historically shaped the cultural landscape of this country, how might they continue to do so in the 21st Century, and how can appreciating these connections help more people rediscover the value of the Bible?
This panel discussion will be hosted by Bible Society with special invited guests.
The difference that Faith makes to Development – a presentation and Q & A with Christian Aid Director, Loretta Minghella
*Fully booked*
In the past religion has often been considered as a negative factor in development. Recent years have seen a change in some attitudes; so does religion help or hinder development?
Join us to explore why Christian Aid believes that Christianity is ‘good news for the poor’.
Service of prayer and worship in the chapel of St Mary Undercroft – led by Andy Flannagan, Colin Bloom and Claire Mathys
The service will be led by Andy Flannagan (Director of the Christian Socialist Movement), Colin Bloom (Director of Conservative Christian Fellowship) and Claire Mathys (Director of Liberal Democrat Christian Forum) and will include time for intercession, celebration and reflection.
A tour of the Palace of Westminster – led by a Parliamentary Guide
The UK Parliament is one of the oldest representative assemblies in the world. The site of the Houses of Parliament is the Palace of Westminster, a royal palace and former residence of kings. The layout of the Palace is intricate, with its existing buildings containing nearly 1,200 rooms, 100 staircases and well over 3 kilometers (2 miles) of passages. Among the original historic buildings is Westminster Hall, used nowadays for major public ceremonial events. Join us for a tour of the wonderful building straight after the Breakfast.