Rowan Williams Live Lecture 2023

"Contemplative life and urban mission"
We are delighted to welcome back the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who delighted us with back in 2014 with his lecture on the Gospel of John. This lecture addresses some intriguing issues in modern contemplative spirituality and its missional opportunities. Bishop Rowan tells us, “We will look briefly at two twentieth century figures - Mother Maria Skobtsova and Madeleine Delbrêl - who attempted to live out a contemplative vocation in the setting of modern urban poverty, and will ask what we can learn from them about integrating contemplation and action.”

[@robertfraser908]

A wonderful talk. Though Rowan does not say this, there is a clear and suggestive affinity between these two remarkable women and one of their contemporaries: Simone Weil (1909-1943). Weil's insistence on what she calls "attention", a losing of oneself as one looks, is very reminiscent of the ideal of "contemplation" explored in this lecture. Is this affinity simply a reflection of the mood of those times or of something deeper.? It would be good to discuss these things.

[@Jimboken1]

Rowan who was Justin Welby before Justin Welby was Justin Welby.

[@williamwilkes503]

You surely jest!

[@Joeonline26]

Welby has done an excellent job of overseeing the final collapse of the Church of England. Archbishop Carey presided over female ordination in the 90's, Williams promoted islamic extremism in the 2000's and Welby has recently overseen the blessing of same sex unions under his leadership!🙃🤡🤡 The C of E is absolutely finished.

[@sweekongfoong3189]

How Christianity has strayed to a salvation of my soul only. Becoming a toothless and benign. Mother Maria theology of being Christian is to be in solidarity to all of creation. The failure to see this is where the church failure to climate change lies.

[@JB-wf6ef]

There is no sound :(