One thing is sure – one day we will face our own mortality and the dying and death of those we love. But where do we stand in relation to death, and how do we approach the dying and loss of those we love?

Known as one of the most creative theologians writing today, Sam Wells has become most associated with the practice of being with, as distinguished from three other ways of relating – working for, working with and being for.

Rory Stewart’s podcast The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell has explored the art of disagreeing agreeably and offered captivating insight and detailed discussion of an insider’s view of politics both at home and across the world. Rory Stewart joins us in person to tell us where he stands and to answer our questions.

Ken Loach discusses some of the transformative films he has made and why he wanted to make them, and his method of telling the stories of those who are seldom heard.

Lemn Sissay, inspirational poet, performer, writer and broadcaster, explores the courage to discover one’s true identity, to speak truth to power, and what it means to celebrate your own creativity and unique poetic voice.

This lecture draws on Tom Holland’s historical scholarship and insight into the concept of martyrdom in the ancient world and in Christianity, and Richard Carter’s personal experience of the lives of seven modern martyrs.

Focusing on direct experience of the invasion of Ukraine, this lecture brings together Fr Vitaliy Novak, who has spearheaded humanitarian relief and has come from Ukraine specially to speak for us, and Lindsay Hilsum and Emma Graham-Harrison, both of whom have been reporting from Ukraine.

Our first lecture explores the meaning of reconciliation. This lecture and panel discussion is hosted by St Martin’s in partnership with Embrace, a Christian development charity, supporting Christian partners in the Middle East as they work to transform lives and restore the dignity of excluded and marginalised communities.