Download details about upcoming CMF opportunities in 2024 here.
Theology& seminar series at Newcastle Cathedral, Thursdays at 3.30-5.00pm.
Open to all – please email c.pacitti@newcastle.anglican.org to express an interest.
Continuing this popular series of talks exploring the intersections between theology and ‘other’ disciplines.
2025
4th September: Lee Taylor – Theology& Joyful Fun
Fr Lee is the Vicar of Berwick-Upon-Tweed (still quite new at only 3 months in) and also works for OneBodyOneFaith as Chaplain to Rhythm and Member Care. In both these roles he strives to encourage people to encounter God’s lavish hospitality and joy.
He is in a Civil Partnership with Charlie and they are owned by 2 cats and a 1976 VW camper van.
2nd October: Simon Morden - Theology& Science Fiction. Don't create the Torment Nexus: conversations between church, society, and science fiction
Dr Simon Morden trained as a planetary geologist and geophysicist, realised he was never going to get into space and decided to write about it instead. His award-winning career blends narrative science, science fiction, fantasy and horror. He is a past winner of the Philip K Dick Memorial Award for his Metrozone series of novels set in post-apocalyptic London, and the Rolls-Royce Science Prize for school science education. He lives in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear with his cats and wife.
6th November: Tim Bull: Theology& AI: Living as a Human in an AI World
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our lives and reshaping our future. It raises profound questions in the areas of ethics, truth, privacy, creativity and what it means to be made in the image of God.
Should we embrace this technology with open arms or approach it with caution? How should we live as Christian disciples in a world of AI? How might AI inform or challenge our faith?
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just curious – and whether you’re a believer or not – this session will open your eyes to new ways of thinking and give you plenty to ponder. We will be guided in our exploration by the Revd Canon Dr Tim Bull.
Tim is a true polymath with PhDs in both computer science and theology. Before ordination he worked as a chartered software engineer, and during his ministry he has taught in the areas of preaching, leadership and Christian ethics. He is a residentiary canon at St Albans Cathedral, a member of the Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs Council, and a founder of the AI Christian Partnership.
Tim’s talk on AI was “really accessible, brilliantly communicated, engaging and downright fun, and the students absolutely loved it. They have been talking about it ever since!" — A theological college principal
4th December: Ivor Moody – Theology& Pop Music: Finding the sacred in the secular: a conversation between theology and pop music
Surrounded by a society seemingly immersed in an ever increasing secularism Ivor takes famous, trans-generational secular songs, and sees how we might use them to throw new light on the scriptures, faith and church; it is an exploration of new ways to deepen our Christian understanding, not by turning our backs on secularism but embracing it, to see how modern ‘soundbites’ can throw fresh light on ancient truths.
Now retired, Ivor Moody has been Vice Dean and Canon Pastor of Chelmsford Cathedral since 2010. He was Chair of the Mid-Essex Inter Faith Forum and also Chair of Essex Mind and Spirit, a community voluntary organisation which seeks to promote positive relationships between faith and spirituality and mental health issues, and to challenge the stigma which often surrounds mental health. He also served as Chaplain to the Essex County Council.