The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Williams of Oystermouth, former Archbishop of Canterbury, renowned theologian, and acclaimed poet, visited Lancing College on Wednesday 26 February. Throughout his time on campus, Bishop Rowan invited our community to explore themes of faith, creativity, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence through a series of talks, which began with a sermon at the whole school Eucharist in the Chapel.

In his sermon, Bishop Rowan encouraged those present to reflect on what it means to live with purpose and authenticity in a rapidly evolving world. To listen to the sermon, please follow this link.

Following the service, he led an intimate poetry reading in the Theatre, where he shared personal works and invited attendees to reflect on the creative process of writing prose. Drawing from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, he posed the question, ‘What seest thou else?’, encouraging listeners to consistently look beyond, and to embrace deeper insights when engaging with poetry.

Later, Bishop Rowan turned his attention to the pressing topic of artificial intelligence, leading a discussion with selected Sixth Formers. The conversation explored the implications of AI on human identity, ethics, and spirituality, challenging pupils to critically analyse its influence on society.

Bishop Rowan’s much-anticipated time at Lancing College left a lasting impression on students and staff alike.