The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster

#AdmiralPhillip

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales attended a Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Work of Sir John Tavener at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 11th June at 12 noon.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster

We must admire the strength of character and determination of Edith Cavell and her commitment as a nurse to care for all without discrimination. She stands as an icon, an example and an inspiration, alongside Florence Nightingale whom we honour today and for whom we thank God, of nursing at its best, even in the most difficult circumstances. Simply expressed, the praise is of the highest. She was a good nurse.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester attended the annual Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day at Westminster Abbey on Friday 25th April 2014.

Speaker: Claire Foster-Gilbert, Director, Westminster Abbey Institute

Chair: The Right Honourable The Baroness D’Souza CMG, Lord Speaker

Even if we know what is the right thing to do, and we want very much to do it, what then gives us the courage to act? What reminds those in public office of their vocation to serve? Powerful stories of journeys that resonate with the stories in our own lives can waken the giant within and remind us that the best, most interesting lives are lived for others. In this lecture, Claire Foster-Gilbert described the ‘hero’s journey’ as a map for lives of public service.

Speaker: Claire Foster-Gilbert, Director, Westminster Abbey Institute.

Why should we be moral? What motivates public servants to keep serving the common good? Claire Foster-Gilbert argues that our moral sensibilities arise from the way we perceive the world around us. She suggests perceptions that can refresh our vison and evoke a will to be good, describing the spheres of interdependent life in which all participate; the sacredness of creation; the priesthood of all humanity; and the Sabbath principle.

Speaker: Claire Foster-Gilbert, Director, Westminster Abbey Institute.

A robust moral decision is one that clearly identifies the moral issues at stake and takes them into account. For those in public office, being able to explain how they came to make such decisions is also critical. In this lecture, Claire Foster-Gilbert offers a framework for making comprehensive and comprehendable moral decisions by describing goal-based, duty-based and right-based thinking processes.

Audio includes:

Wilfred Frost reads 'Remember Me' by David Harkins

George Frost reads his Poem following the dedication of the Memorial Stone.

Joanna Lumley reads 'A Sonnet of Sorts for a Star' by Joanna Lumley/Richard Stilgoe