Encountering the Sacred
I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the
pearl of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realise now
that I must give all that I have
to possess it. Life is not hurrying
on to a receding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed as transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you.
Taking RS Thomas’ poem “The Bright Field” as their starting point each of our speakers will be speaking about their own encounter with the sacred.
The Church of England and BBC’s Richard Coles chairs the evening and is joined by Neil MacGregor, Nicola Green and Ben Okri
You may also like
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Elif Shafak (10.11)
Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British bestselling novelist, essayist, academic, and activist. She writes in both Turkish and English, and her work has been translated into over 50 languages.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Michael Rosen (03.11)
Renowned for his vibrant performances and engaging storytelling, Michael Rosen has authored over 140 books, including the beloved picture book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Michael Ignatieff (28.10)
Michael Ignatieff is a distinguished Canadian academic, author, and former politician. Educated at the University of Toronto and Harvard, he specialises in human rights, international affairs, and political philosophy.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Chris Bryant MP (20.10)
Sir Chris Bryant MP is a prominent British Labour politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Rhondda (and now Rhondda and Ogmore) since 2001.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Gwen Adshead (13.10)
Dr Gwen Adshead is a distinguished forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist with nearly three decades of experience in the NHS, including work in prisons and secure hospitals like Broadmoor.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Christian Aid Lecture with Mariana Mazzucato (06.10)
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Here I stand at the Annual Christian Aid Lecture with Mariana...
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Cassa Pancho (29.09)
Cassa Pancho MBE is the pioneering founder and inspirational artistic director of Ballet Black, a professional ballet company established in 2001.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Sam Wells interviewed by Julian Worricker (22.09)
Sam Wells is Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, where he leads a unique configuration of commercial, cultural and charitable initiatives, rooted in a vibrant congregational life.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Rowan Williams (15.09)
Rowan Williams is a Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian, and poet, who served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012.
Autumn Lecture Series 2025: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde (14.09)
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is the first woman to serve as the Bishop of Washington, leading the Episcopal Diocese of Washington since 2011.
Morning Song (27.07)
Sung Morning Prayer led by Maddie Naisbitt with music performed by the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields, directed by Olivia Tait.
Great Sacred Music: Vocation (26.06)
A sequence to speak to heart, head and soul, exploring through songs and readings the great classical music of our religious heritage.
Bread for the World (25.06)
Join us here online or in person in St Martin-in-the-Fields for Bread for the World, an informal Eucharist. Led by Revd Richard Carter with a reflection from Jolley Gosnold.
In Every Corner Sing (23.06)
A service of word and music with a focus on global themes on Mondays at 1pm during term-time, featuring beautiful singing from our choral scholars.
Sermon (22.06)
A sermon preached at St Martin-in-the-Fields on the First Sunday after Trinity, Sunday 22nd June 2025, by Revd Richard Carter.
Parish Eucharist (22.06)
Parish Eucharist at 10am on Trinity Sunday, Sunday 15th June, 2025 with Presider Revd Dr Sam Wells, and Preacher Revd Richard Carter.
Contemplative Prayer (21.06)
Nazareth Contemplative Prayer on Saturday 21st June 2025, with Revd Catherine Duce at Duck Cottage in St James’ Park, London.
Morning Song (20.06)
Sung Morning Prayer led by Maddie Naisbitt with music performed by the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields, directed by Jennifer Sterling.
Great Sacred Music: Corpus Christi (19.06)
A sequence to speak to heart, head and soul, exploring through songs and readings the great classical music of our religious heritage.
Bread for the World (18.06)
Join us here online or in person in St Martin-in-the-Fields for Bread for the World, an informal Eucharist. Led by Revd Catherine Duce with a reflection from Mirjam Ngoy-Verhage.















