Each year during the months of June and July we organise a series of lectures at St Mary's to engage people in and beyond the Christian community in issues confronting society today. The lectures are normally held on Wednesday evenings and are followed by questions. There is an opportunity to meet the speaker over a glass of wine after the lecture.

In 2009, with the title Vanities and values: A new world order , we welcome Harriet Lamb on trading in an unfair world, Tristram Hunt on Engels and the cost of capitalism, Paddy Ashdown on governmental concepts, Lord Griffiths on taming Mammon and Jamie Drummond on African debt.

In 2008, under the title Conflict and Cohesion, can we live together? (weekly from 10 June to 9 July), we welcomed Rory Stewart on Afghanistan, William Dalrymple on Islam and Islamophobia, Camila Batmanghelidjh on Hug or Hate a Hoodie?, A.C. Grayling on Religion and the State and Sir Richard Dearlove on Do we have enemies?. Further information on the series and speakers can be found here .

In 2007, under the heading Conscience and creativity - Managing the challenges of the 21st century we welcomed Oliver James, Mark Lynas, Lord Butler, Jung Chang and Michael Wood. More information on the 2007 lectures can be found here.

In 2006, under the heading Dreams and dilemmas: Confronting the big issues we welcomed Stephen Tindale, Helen Bamber, Mary Warnock, Melvyn Bragg and Robert Winston. More information on the 2006 lectures can be found here.

In 2005, under the heading Visions and Values: Tales from a Globalised World we welcomed Gillian Slovo, Mark Tully, Lord Bingham, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, and Jonathan Miller.

In 2004, under the heading Trust and Betrayal: Issues in Contemporary Society we welcomed Simon Jenkins, Dr John Polkinghorne, Dr Maleeha Lodhi (the High Commissioner for Pakistan), Baroness Helena Kennedy, and Fergal Keane.

The programme is published in May each year, and tickets may be purchased either on the door, or in advance from the Parish Office.

Right: William Dalrymple will be speaking on Islam and Islamophobia on Wednesday 18 June