Past Events

Please join us (on-line) for an introductory talk, as we begin our new theme - Today's Big Questions: towards a Christian Response.  We are privileged to welcome Dr Jessie Rogers, who will help us prepare for a series of discussions on some of the thorny issues of our day.  Jessie will guide us, as we seek wisdom together.   "Scripture tells us that fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions (Prov 18:2). Those of…

Are you curious about the different sides of the migration debate? Do you seek a balanced view from a Christian perspective?   Migrants and refugees are often quickly vilified by governments and in the media, and seen as a 'problem' to be dealt with. In a short talk and discussion, Megan Knowles from the Jesuit Refugee Service UK will share her experience of why people can be against welcoming migration, touching on the fears of what we lose as well…

The Community invite you to a talk by our researcher Dr Cormac Begadon (University of Durham) to take place at 74, Howe Close, Colchester CO4 3XD. The talk, detailed below, will be followed by Evening Prayer for the beginning of Advent, and you are invited to stay for a glass of mulled wine and mince pies. 'From Georgian Spa Boxes to Asian Porcelain: what recent excavations at our last house in Liège tell us about convent and school life there…

HOW FAR DO YOU GO: WHAT ARE THE LIMITS OF PROTEST AND DIRECT ACTION AS A LEGITIMATE EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH? Christians are called to stand up for the oppressed and to speak out against injustice. Protest, nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience are important parts of our Christian tradition that have strong Biblical roots. But there can be serious and costly personal and public consequences of such actions. In this conversation we will explore moral, ethical and faith questions…

In this year's Lent Course, we will focus on poverty; one of 'today's big questions'. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Poverty 2024 report states that six million people were in very deep poverty in 2021/22 in the UK.  Nearly four million people experienced destitution in 2022, including one million children (that being 3 times as many as in 2017).  With the cost of living crisis that situation is set to worsen. We will be using ACT ON POVERTY resources collaboratively developed…

  As part of our series TODAY'S BIG QUESTIONS: TOWARDS A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE, we are delighted to welcome back Christine Allen, whose previous experience (see below) and current role at CAFOD, mean she is well placed to help us explore this question.  Christine will speak to the topic via ‘CAFOD’s work and the scriptural concept of jubilee’.     Christine Allen Biography: Christine Allen has been Executive Director of CAFOD, the development arm of the Catholic Church in England and…

We are thrilled that Prof Tina Beattie has agreed to address us on the topic of just war and pacifism - looking at the ethical dilemmas posed by current global conflicts, as part of our Big Questions series. Tina has written and researched extensively on Catholic approaches to just war and pacifism and we are keen to hear and discuss with her this most pertinent topic. Once you have registered above you will be sent a Zoom link on or…

We need to talk about gender: Christian Approaches to challenging questions for changing times  with Prof Tina Beattie 8th October - 7pm at New Hall   Refreshments will be served at 6.30pm   We begin a second year of our series 'Today's Big Questions: towards a Christian Response' with an in-person talk by Prof Tina Beattie. The talk will take place at New Hall. Tina will explore the ways in which church teaching is becoming more pastorally sensitive to issues…