C of E launches £5m 'Near Neighbours' programme

It is proving an eventful week at the Contextual Theology Centre (PEN's parent body) - with the Centre being one of four hubs for 'Near Neighbours', a £5 million programme to increase engagement between, and social action by, people of different faiths and cultures. It will cover nine boroughs in eastern London, and includes a 'Near Neighbours Fund' which will distribute grants of £250 to £5000.  The programme is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, and will be administered by a new charity created by the Church of England and Church Urban Fund.

Responding to this news, Centre Director Angus Ritchie said: "This is a real vote of confidence in all that Church of England parishes and chaplaincies do to build relationships, capacity and trust in their neighbourhoods. PEN's work - mapping and sharing the stories of good practice - helped to make the case for this investment. The programme will build on these examples of faithful interaction."

Jürgen Moltmann to give lecture at St Mary le Bow

On Tuesday 8th February at 6.15pm this year’s annual Boyle Lecture will be given by renowned theologian Professor Jürgen Moltmann. His subject ‘Is the world unfinished? On interactions between science and theology in the concepts of nature, time and the future’ will receive a response from Professor Alan Torrance. The lecture is open to the public but seating is limited and places are likely to fill up early.
For more details about this event visit the St Mary le Bow website

Owing to the current lack of heating in St Mary-le-Bow, the lecture venue has moved to nearby St Lawrence Jewry, by kind permission of the Vicar. St Lawrence Jewry is on Guildhall Yard EC2V 5AA, and just five minutes’ walk from St Mary-le-Bow. Please note the later start time.