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Westminster Abbey

332 episodes - English - Latest episode: 19 days ago - ★★★★ - 14 ratings

Sermons, services and reflections from Westminster Abbey and lectures on issues of faith, ethics, politics and public policy-making from the Westminster Abbey Institute.

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Episodes

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Easter Day

March 31, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Holy Saturday

March 30, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.27 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Good Friday

March 29, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.58 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Maundy Thursday

March 28, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Palm Sunday

March 24, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.45 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 17, 2024 00:05 - 4 minutes - 3.9 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 10, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.07 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Third Sunday of Lent

March 03, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Second Sunday of Lent

February 25, 2024 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.22 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: First Sunday of Lent

February 18, 2024 00:05 - 2 minutes - 2.61 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2024 00:05 - 2 minutes - 2.43 MB

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

Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Trailer

February 07, 2024 08:30 - 40 seconds - 652 KB

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

Symposium: Dignity and Hostility

January 23, 2024 13:49 - 1 hour - 70.3 MB

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 ...

Dialogue: Dignity and Imprisonment

January 03, 2024 09:57 - 1 hour - 72 MB

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

Symposium: The End of the Elizabethan eras

July 21, 2023 15:52 - 1 hour - 61.4 MB

This discussion focuses on exploring the clash of cultures in Tudor and Modern times

NHS 75th Anniversary: Address by Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England

July 05, 2023 15:14 - 7 minutes - 6.48 MB

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, discusses the NHS. 'We come together today not to celebrate an idea, but to celebrate all those who have breathed life into it, who have made it mean something real to tens of millions of people over three quarters of a century, and who continue to give us hope for the future.'

NHS 75th Anniversary: Sermon by the Dean of Westminster

July 05, 2023 15:07 - 4 minutes - 4.29 MB

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle talks about the history, significance and importance of the National Health Service.

Institute Symposium: Harnessing technology

January 11, 2023 11:14 - 1 hour - 56.6 MB

A discussion regarding the potential use of technology to heal divisions in public life. Featuring  Rory Cellan-Jones, former BBC technology correspondent; Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle and Dr Michael Burdett, philosophical theologian and Assistant Professor, Nottingham University. 

The Bishop of Kensington Tribute

June 14, 2022 12:41 - 8 minutes - 7.65 MB

Read from the Nave Pulpit

Imran Khan - Grenfell Memorial Tribute

June 14, 2022 12:34 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

Read from the Nave Pulpit

Jon Snow Grenfell Tribute

June 14, 2022 12:26 - 8 minutes - 8.28 MB

Read from the Nave pulpit

Desmond Tutu Choral Evensong - Address by The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu

June 10, 2022 09:26 - 10 minutes - 9.24 MB

The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, gives the Address at a Choral Evensong with Thanksgiving for the life and work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Benefact Group service - Testimonial by Jay Blades

June 09, 2022 14:18 - 2 minutes - 2.61 MB

Television presenter Jay Blades MBE gives a the testimonial at the Benefact Group Service of Thanksgiving. The service celebrated that over £100 million has been raised for good causes by the Benefact Group.

Testimonial by Jay Blades at the Benefact Group service

June 09, 2022 14:18 - 2 minutes - 2.61 MB

Television presenter Jay Blades MBE gives a the testimonial at the Benefact Group Service of Thanksgiving. The service celebrated that over £100 million has been raised for good causes by the Benefact Group.

The Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture 2022: Securing a Europe of peace, freedom and justice

May 24, 2022 15:39 - 58 minutes - 54 MB

Lord Adonis gives the 36th annual Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture at Westminster Abbey. Money has long been associated with moral danger and the deliberate parting with it is generally seen as something to be honoured and encouraged. But globalisation of markets, environmental degradation and the rise of technology have created new geographies of ethical risk which national governments find it hard to tackle. Knowing how money talks and that much change is needed, how do we work out where...

Address given by Lord Sentamu during Florence Nightingale Service 2022

May 12, 2022 11:40 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

The Rt Reverend and Rt Hon the Lord Sentamu of Lindisfarne and Masooli gave the Address during the service to commemorate the life of Florence Nightingale.

Florence Nightingale Service 2022 - Address given by Lord Sentamu

May 12, 2022 11:40 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

The Rt Reverend and Rt Hon the Lord Sentamu of Lindisfarne and Masooli gave the Address during the service to commemorate the life of Florence Nightingale.

ANZAC Day Service 2022 - Dean's Address

April 25, 2022 14:51 - 10 minutes - 9.53 MB

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, gives the Address during the the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day 2022.

Dean's Address for ANZAC Day Service 2022

April 25, 2022 14:51 - 10 minutes - 9.53 MB

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, gives the Address during the the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day 2022.

Service of Thanksgiving for The Duke of Edinburgh - Address by The Dean of Windsor

March 29, 2022 15:36 - 8 minutes - 8.05 MB

The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, talks about The Duke of Edinburgh in his Address.

Address at The Service of Thanksgiving for The Duke of Edinburgh

March 29, 2022 15:36 - 8 minutes - 8.05 MB

The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, talks about The Duke of Edinburgh in his Address.

Tribute at Service of Thanksgiving for The Duke of Edinburgh

March 29, 2022 15:17 - 4 minutes - 4.26 MB

Doyin Sonibare, a Gold Award holder from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, gives a Tribute, talking about how the Duke of Edinburgh's Award has benefited her.

Service of Thanksgiving for The Duke of Edinburgh - Tribute by Doyin Sonibare

March 29, 2022 15:17 - 4 minutes - 4.26 MB

Doyin Sonibare, a Gold Award holder from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, gives a Tribute, talking about how the Duke of Edinburgh's Award has benefited her.

Audio: Serving as a Leader? lecture

December 31, 2021 12:42 - 1 hour - 65.2 MB

Audio of the conversation with the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick as she draws on her long experience in the police force and now as its most senior leader to discuss the meaning of serving as a leader.

One People Oration: Serving as a Leader?

November 25, 2021 18:31 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

In the Christian tradition, leadership is service. But what does that mean? That leaders should be infallible, all-powerful, and all-knowing, as our sometimes pitiless comments on their competence can imply? No human being can be so godlike, but if not that, then what is service? How do leaders retain confidence with humility? Decisiveness with an open mind? Competence to meet a present crisis with continuous learning for future ones? Where and how do leaders learn to be of the greatest possi...

In conversation: Serving as a Leader? discussion

November 25, 2021 18:31 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

A conversation featuring Director of Westminister Abbey Institute, Claire Foster-Gilbert about the Serving as a Leader? talk.

The Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture: Money, Bias and the Geography of the Heart

November 17, 2021 10:42 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MB

Loretta Minghella gives the 35th annual Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture at Westminster Abbey. Money has long been associated with moral danger and the deliberate parting with it is generally seen as something to be honoured and encouraged. But globalisation of markets, environmental degradation and the rise of technology have created new geographies of ethical risk which national governments find it hard to tackle. Knowing how money talks and that much change is needed, how do we work ou...

Sung Eucharist for The Feast of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey - Sermon

October 19, 2021 12:02 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB

The Reverend Canon Carl F. Turner, Rector of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, gave the sermon for the Feast of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey

Sermon at Sung Eucharist for the Feast of The Translation of St Edward the Confessor 2021

October 19, 2021 11:06 - 9 minutes - 8.46 MB

The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, gave the sermon at Sung Eucharist for the Feast of The Translation of St Edward the Confessor on 13th October 2021.

Judges Service - Sermon

October 01, 2021 15:05 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

The Venerable Sheila Watson, Preacher of Lincoln's Inn, gave the sermon.

Abbeycast - Sermon at the Florence Nightingale Service 2021

May 13, 2021 15:44 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

Listen to the Sermon delivered by The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London during the Florence Nightingale Service 2021. The Reverend pays thanks to nurses and healthcare workers on the front line during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Sermon was delivered on what would have been Florence Nightingale's 101st birthday.

Abbeycast - ANZAC Day service: Sermon by the Dean of Westminster

April 26, 2021 15:45 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MB

Listen to the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle's sermon given during the ANZAC Day service on Sunday 25th April 2021.

Abbeycast - A podcast for the Feast of the Annunciation

March 25, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MB

This 32-minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey’s magnificent Chapter House. Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor Address by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: Sarah Clarke OBE, Lady Usher of the Black Rod  Ave Maris Stella from Le tombeau de Titelouze – Marcel Dupré Introduction: The Reverend Mark Birch  Reading: Luke 1: 26-38 Sarah Clarke Prière à Notre Dame from Sui...

Abbeycast - A podcast for Ash Wednesday

February 17, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MB

This 28-minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Florence Nightingale Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Introduced by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Address by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader: Janet Hoyle  Miserere – William Byrd  Introduction: Canon Hawkey  Reading: Isaiah 58: 1-12  Janet Hoyle Erbarm’ dich mein, O herre Gott BWV 721 – JS Bach Address: The Dean Anthem: Kyrie eleis...

Abbeycast - A podcast for Candlemas

February 02, 2021 15:02 - 19 minutes - 18 MB

This 19 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey’s magnificent Lady Chapel. Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Address by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor  Reader: Janet Hoyle    Introduction: The Dean Reading: Luke 2: 22-40  Janet Hoyle Address: The Reverend Mark Birch  Anthem: Nunc Dimittis, Stanford in A  Prayers and Blessing: The Dean   Music: Performed by th...

Abbeycast - A podcast for the Feast of the Epiphany of The Lord

January 06, 2021 16:30 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Feast of the Epiphany of The Lord. This 14 minute service includes a reading, an address and music, recorded this week at the crib. Introduced by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor  Address by Canon Hawkey Introduction: Canon Hawkey Epiphany Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12 The Reverend Mark Birch Address: Canon Hawkey Anthem: Jonathan Dove, The Three Kings Music: Performed by the C...

Abbeycast - A podcast for Advent Sunday

November 29, 2020 09:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

This 19 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week at the two Jesse Trees, made by the sculptor Benno Elkan, and representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments.   Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Address by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor    Reader: Carol Hawkey   Introduction: The Dean Reading: Mark 13: 24-37 Carol Hawkey Address: The Reverend Mark Birch  Anthem: Fra...

Abbeycast - A podcast from Westminster Abbey for the Feast of Christ the King

November 22, 2020 09:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MB

A podcast from Westminster Abbey for the Feast of Christ the King. This 16 minute service includes an introit, prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week on the Abbey's magnificent Cosmati pavement in front of the High Altar.   Introduced by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Address by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor    Reader: David Fugurally, Department for Education, Fellow of Westminster Abbey Institute    Introit: ...

Abbeycast - A podcast for ‘The Parable of the Talents’

November 15, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on ‘The Parable of the Talents’. This 15 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey's magnificent Nave.   Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Address by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Reader: The Reverend Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker, Priest Vicar of Westminster Abbey    Introduction: The Dean Reading: Matthew 25: 14–30 Th...

Cerys Matthews reads from a letter

November 11, 2020 14:34 - 1 minute - 1.45 MB

Cerys Matthews reads from a letter written by a widow after attending the burial of the Unknown Warrior at the Centenary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior on Wednesday 11th November 2020.

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