Westminster Abbey

A lecture given by Jenny McCarthy, a journalist and author who grew up in Northern Ireland and now lives in London.

Part of Hope, Westminster Abbey Institute’s 2020 spring programme.

A lecture given by James Hawkey, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey. Dr Hawkey is a fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, and a visiting lecturer at King’s College London.

Part of Hope, Westminster Abbey Institute’s 2020 spring programme.

A podcast on the fourth Sunday after Trinity marking the re-opening of the Abbey for public worship - the final episode in our series of Sunday worship podcasts produced during lockdown. Worship podcasts will be produced for feast days and major anniversaries from now on. Please subscribe to be notified of releases. A service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the nave of the Abbey. Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease, Queen’s Almsman Introduction: Canon HawkeyReading:  Matthew 11: 16–19, 25–30 Dr Mariama Ifode-BleaseAddress: Canon HawkeyAnthem: Edward Elgar O Hearken thou

Prayers and Blessing: The Reverend Mark Birch Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

Saint Peter is the Abbey’s patron saint, and on St Peter’s Day the Collegiate Body and wider Abbey community would usually be celebrating with a Festal Eucharist. This year we mark St Peter’s Day with a special podcast which includes a reading by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. This episode reflects on the Abbey’s dedication to St Peter, and on the inspiration St Peter offers us in the life of faith. A 15-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the Sacrarium in front of the statue of St Peter by the High Altar. Introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Reader: Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal Introduction: Canon HawkeyReading: Matthew 16: 13–19 HRH The Princess RoyalAddress: The DeanAnthem: Palestrina Tu es Petrus

Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

The Rule of St Benedict tells us to offer hospitality as if we were entertaining Christ. Recorded in the monastic ‘Cellarium’, which is now a café, this podcast considers themes of welcome and hospitality, as lockdown begins to ease, and places of hospitality begin to re-open. But what do we gain by being hospitable to one another? Perhaps, quite literally, everything.

A 20-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week.

Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Address by The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor

Reader: Major General Christopher Ghika, General Officer Commanding London District and Major General Commanding the Household Division Introduction: The DeanReading: Matthew 10: 40-42 Major General Christopher GhikaAddress: The Reverend Mark BirchAnthem: Sir William Harris Strengthen ye thy weak hands

Prayers and Blessing: The Dean Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

CS Lewis’s writings have offered inspiring commentary on the Christian faith to people from across the world over many years. This week’s podcast draws inspiration from some of Lewis’s writings and reflections. A 17-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in Poets’ Corner by the memorial to CS Lewis, Anglican scholar and spiritual writer, which was dedicated in 2013 on the 50th anniversary of his death. Introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Address by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader: Dr Linda Yueh, Executive Chair, Royal Commonwealth Society Introduction: Canon HawkeyReading: Matthew 10: 24–39 - Dr Linda YuehAddress: The DeanAnthem: John Tavener The peace that surpasseth understanding

Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

In the gospels, Jesus gathers the disciples around him, and then sends them out to share his mission in the world. His mission is our mission, yet we do not possess it. Rather it can become the narrative which gives shape to our lives.

A 22-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week at the North Door, which was originally the grand entrance of the Abbey.

Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle

Address by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian

Reader: The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Westminster and Deputy High Steward of Westminster Abbey, Councillor Jonathan Glanz

Introduction: The Dean
Reading:  Matthew 9: 35–10: 8  The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Jonathan Glanz
Address: Canon Hawkey
Anthem: William Walton The Twelve
Prayers and Blessing: The Dean

Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).

This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

The Holy Trinity can sometimes sound a bit like a mathematical problem (‘Three in One, and One in Three’), but this podcast explores whether it is, in fact, a key to understanding not just God, but ourselves, and the kind of relationships for which we are made.

A 19-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the 13th century Chapter House in the East Cloister – originally a meeting place where the monks gathered with the abbot to pray and discuss the day’s business.

Introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian

Address by The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor

Reader: Dame Cressida Dick, The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service

Introduction: Canon Hawkey
Reading:  Matthew 28: 16–20 Dame Cressida Dick
Address: The Reverend Mark Birch
Anthem: John Sheppard Libera nos, salva nos
Prayers/Blessing: Canon Hawkey

Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).

This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

Dame Cressida Dick's reading was recorded in May.

A special ecumenical episode bringing Christian leaders together to celebrate Pentecost.

A 15-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week on the Cosmati pavement – a 750-year old pavement in front of the High Altar where coronations have taken place for hundreds of years.

Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle

Address by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian

Reader: Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain

Prayers: Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster
The Reverend Michaela Youngson, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church

Introduction: The Dean
Reading: John 20: 19-23 Archbishop Nikitas
Address: Canon HawkeyPrayer: Cardinal NicholsAnthem: Thomas Tomkins O sing unto the Lord a new song

Prayer: The Reverend Michaela YoungsonBlessing: The Dean

Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).

This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Anglican Communion Sunday for worshippers everywhere.

A 17 minute service of prayers, reading, sermon, music and blessing recorded this week in the north transept where pilgrims and visitors have entered Westminster Abbey for hundreds of years.

Introduced by the Reverend Canon Anthony Ball, Canon Steward

Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle

Reader: The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon.

Introduction: Canon Ball
Reading: John 17: 1–11 (Archbishop Idowu-Fearon)
Address: The Dean
Anthem: Ralph Vaughan Williams O Clap your hands

Prayers and blessing: Canon Ball

Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).

This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.