On 18th July the Fifth annual Festival of Prayer was held in Cuddesdon church and college. As ever the day was a great success with 200 people from across the diocese and beyond enjoying the sunshine and an opportunity to reflect on their prayer life. Organised by members of BRF and the Oxford diocese, the day began in the parish church with a keynote address given by Professor Mark Williams, a clinical psychologist and Anglican priest, who along with his colleagues devised Mindfulness, a clinically proved form of mental practice to combat depression and suicide. Mark invited us to experience Mindfulness for ourselves and explained the links between the practice and religious practices of prayer. In three workshops during the day he explored people’s questions about the practice. Other workshops on offer during the day included Debbie Thrower, former Pebble Mill presenter, on Prayer in Later Life, Ruth Holgate from the St Beuno’s community on Ignatian Spirituality, June Boyce-Tillman singing the mystery of Hildegard and Tim Stead exploring the concept of Forest church. We were delighted to have Bishop Colin Fletcher present and the new Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon, Bishop Humphrey Southern, concluded the day with prayers.
Next year the Festival falls on the 9th July. As it is booked out eight weeks before the date, put it in your diary now!!