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In 1993, the IRA bomb detonated on Bishopsgate, almost completely destroying the church. Yet vision, creativity and commitment ensured that ten years later it opened its doors once again in a new incarnation – as a Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. For many, St Ethelburga’s has become an iconic symbol of the opportunities for growth and evolution that are hidden within crisis and conflict. This story is at the heart of our approach to working with difference and disagreement.
The life of St Ethelburga was characterised by courageous action in the face of devastation. Ethelburga was a fearless and selfless leader. When the plague came to her doorstep in Barking, Ethelburga gave her nuns a choice: close the doors and pray, or open the doors and serve the community. They chose to serve, even knowing that many of them would die as a result. Ethelburga is our inspiration for putting spiritual values into action in challenging times, for bringing faith and action together as one.
St Ethelburga’s is one of London’s most enduring church buildings. An 800-year-old church site, it has stood for centuries as consecrated ground. Now, surrounded on all sides by development works, skyscrapers, and the economically-driven activity of the City, St Ethelburga’s remains true to its ancient purpose. We continue to offer a space for connection with the sacred and with our deepest human values, protecting them against erosion.
Our Bedouin tent was built as a response to 9/11. The tent is welcoming to all, bringing Eastern architecture alongside the Western heritage of the church. It is a space without hierarchy where differing perspectives can be explored. Reflected in the fabric of our building, this theme of diverse narratives and belief systems co-existing fruitfully, side by side, is present within all our projects.
Join Pat McCabe and Bayo Akomolafe for a conversation that upends our thinking about the monstrous, the chaotic, and the dark. What can indigenous traditions teach us about clear-seeing in times when darkness and chaos are on the rise? What ancient wisdoms can we draw upon, to grow our resilience to live in the heart of the storm?
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Justine Huxley reflects on the impact online work is having on our collective brains, and shares how St Ethelburga’s is innovating new online facilitation tools and looking forward to a future...
In this guest blog, Associate Fellow Anahita Mahmoudi reflects on the millions of people displaced due to conflict or climate, and the need for a deeper transformation in how we approach this...
Guest blogger Azariah France-Williams writes about his experiences of racism within the Church in his new book, Ghost Ship. There is a model of a priest in the Church of England which dominates and...
Inside Stories: stories of resilience during the pandemic is a series of conversations with people who have been displaced by war, conflict or persecution about their lives, thoughts and hopes for...
In this guest blog, Sufi teacher and author Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee writes about radical uncertainty, while watching the Californian wildfires come closer to his home. As the smoke from wildfires...
Clare Martin writes about the story of St Ethelburga’s Centre, how symbols can sustain us, and how visionary imagination plays a crucial role in both personal and collective resilience building. In...
Justine Huxley, reflects on service, resilience and improvisation. This brief interview was completed for the Kalliopeia Foundation, who fund St Ethelburga’s programme, Listening to each...
The following guest blog is written by Imogen Faux, who interned at St Ethelburga’s as part of a fellowship at Year Here, the innovation hub for social entrepreneurs. Shortly after Imogen joined the...
Justine Huxley reflects on St Ethelburga’s most recent online retreat, on the themes of solidarity, and the courage and resilience that come with a long-term vision. “The sun filters...
Justine Huxley reflects on the impact online work is having on our collective brains, and shares how St Ethelburga’s is innovating new online facilitation tools and looking forward to a future...
In this guest blog, Associate Fellow Anahita Mahmoudi reflects on the millions of people displaced due to conflict or climate, and the need for a deeper transformation in how we approach this...
Guest blogger Azariah France-Williams writes about his experiences of racism within the Church in his new book, Ghost Ship. There is a model of a priest in the Church of England which dominates and...
Inside Stories: stories of resilience during the pandemic is a series of conversations with people who have been displaced by war, conflict or persecution about their lives, thoughts and hopes for...
In this guest blog, Sufi teacher and author Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee writes about radical uncertainty, while watching the Californian wildfires come closer to his home. As the smoke from wildfires...
Clare Martin writes about the story of St Ethelburga’s Centre, how symbols can sustain us, and how visionary imagination plays a crucial role in both personal and collective resilience building. In...
Justine Huxley, reflects on service, resilience and improvisation. This brief interview was completed for the Kalliopeia Foundation, who fund St Ethelburga’s programme, Listening to each...
The following guest blog is written by Imogen Faux, who interned at St Ethelburga’s as part of a fellowship at Year Here, the innovation hub for social entrepreneurs. Shortly after Imogen joined the...
Justine Huxley reflects on St Ethelburga’s most recent online retreat, on the themes of solidarity, and the courage and resilience that come with a long-term vision. “The sun filters...
St Ethelburga’s is a ‘maker of peace-makers’. We inspire and equip individuals and communities to contribute, in their own particular contexts, to activating a global culture of peace.
