The Archbishop of Canterbury will be with us at Greenbelt this summer – to present the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing.
The shortlist was announced at the Bloxham Festival last weekend. Here it is:
Benign Beltran, Faith & Struggle on Smokey Mountain
Stephen Cherry, Healing Agony: Re-imagining Forgiveness
Anne Richards, Children in the Bible
Francis Spufford, Unapologetic
John Swinton, Dementia: Living in the memories of God
Frances Young, God’s Presence: a contemporary recapitulation of early Christianity
The Archbishop of Canterbury will meet with the panel of judges on Saturday and then present the prize on the Sunday at the festival. And we’re working with publishers to be able to programme as many of the shortlisted authors at the festival, too!
The Michael Ramsey Prize was launched in 2005 and is awarded every three years to celebrate the most promising contemporary theological writing from the worldwide church. It aims to:
• Encourage the writing and reading of theology to help the Church in thinking more deeply, acting more wisely, and witnessing more effectively.
• Promote engagement with theology by generating publicity, providing a forum for discussion, and contributing to the popularity of theological literature.
• Provide a vehicle by which the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury can encourage and challenge Christians to love God with all their heart and soul and mind and strength.
•Recognise and contribute to the success of published resources that will encourage all Christians to play a more active role in a worldwide praying, witnessing, and reconciling church.
While he’s with us, the Archbishop of Canterbury has also agreed to do an interview and Q&A (which he wants to be constructive but not necessarily comfortable) and he’ll also take part in our Sunday morning communion service.