The Church of England has a presence in every community and does remarkable work at local level. However, in public discourse a rich, thoughtful Christian perspective is less often heard. In this lecture we will look at why public witness matters, times when the Church has done its public witness well in the past, and how we might go about it in the present to ensure the transforming story of Christian faith is re-told in a compelling way in today's society.

Speaker: Rt Revd Graham Tomlin, Director of the Centre for Cultural Witness, based at Lambeth Palace in London.

After chaplaincy and teaching roles at Wycliffe Hall and Oxford University, Bishop Graham went on to be founding Dean of St Mellitus College. Soon after becoming Bishop of Kensington he was very involved in the response to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 and was the Vice Chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community. He is the author of many books, including Looking through the Cross; The Widening Circle; Luther’s Gospel: Reimagining the World; Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea and Other Countercultural Notions and most recently Navigating a World of Grace: The Promise of Generous Orthodoxy.

Tuesday afternoon: John 20:1-18 - When Personal Testimony Becomes News.

This tender encounter between Mary and Jesus is a personal conversation, an encounter and an act of witness to the news that would change the course of human history. We will take time together to consider what this chapter has to say to us as Jesus' witnesses today, as we explore interactively the place of personal testimony in sharing the news that changes lives.

Speaker: Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, Bishop of Doncaster here in our own diocese.

Lunch can be provided for £7 per head, Chicken and Vegetable pie served with Mushy Peas and Gravy or Vegetarian Pie with a side of homemade Mushy Peas and Gravy (V), Cake and Fruit. Please select the relevant lunch add-on to your ticket. Please note there is a £1.30 booking fee on top of the cost of lunch. If this causes a problem for you please email Suzanna Schofield - Suzanna.Schofield@Sheffield.anglican. org Tables will also be available for those who prefer to bring their own lunch.

This event is particularly for clergy and authorised/licensed lay ministers.

Others who are involved in church ministries are also very welcome.

The Bishop of Sheffield's Annual Lecture (Tue)