We greatly look forward to our 2025 Lent Course, in which we will explore the poetry and prose of the great 17th century writer and Anglican divine George Herbert. Several of his poems, such as ‘The God of love my shepherd is’, ‘Teach me, my God and King’ and ‘Let all the world in every corner sing’ are familiar as much-loved hymns. Others are less well known and dramatize an occasionally troubled but always deeply personal relationship with God. Links to the poems and prose to be studied will be made available on line before each session and via handouts on the evening.

The course will be led by Martin Amherst Lock who read English at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and led last year’s fantastic Lent Course on John Donne.

There is no need to book. Do just come along on the following dates:

Wednesday 12 March
Biographical background: Herbert the metaphysical poet

Wednesday 19 March
The Temple: Herbert the country parson

Monday 24 March
‘His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine Till ev’n His beams sing, and my music shine’: reciprocity and dialogue

Wednesday 2 April
‘So we freeze on Until the grave increase our cold’: rebellion, despair and death

Wednesday 9 April
Arise, Arise; And with his burial-linen dry thine eyes’: hope and resurrection

Each session will start at 7pm in the Cloister and conclude at 8pm with sung Compline, providing an opportunity for prayer and reflection as the Church approaches the Easter Feast.

The bar will be open for refreshments from 6pm onwards.

The overall course outline can be found in the attached file.

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This service begins at St Bartholomew the Less with a drama performed by the children of the Family Service.

Celebrant: The Reverend Marcus Walker, The Rector
Deacon & Preacher: The Reverend Rosamond McDowell, Associate Priest

Introit: Hosanna to the Son of David – Weelkes
Mass Setting: Communion Service in F – Darke
Passion: according to St Matthew – Victoria
Communion motet: God so loved the world – Stainer