A Sion College Seminar Supper With Rupert Shortt: The Eclipse of Christianity and Why It Matters

The mainstream Churches are faltering – or even at risk of dying out – in their Western and Middle Eastern heartlands. Surveys confirm that only a minority of people in a country such as Britain now claim Christian allegiance. The pattern is being matched in neighbouring societies. At the same time many opinion formers preach secularist ideology with a fervour shading into dogmatism. Others, unsure of their moorings, feel some residual attachment to spirituality, while being sceptical about the existence of God and other articles of belief.

Rupert is a Fellow Commoner of St Edmund’s College, Cambridge and was formerly religion editor of The Times Literary Supplement. His books include Rowan’s Rule: The Biography of the Archbishop, God Is No Thing: Coherent Christianity, Outgrowing Dawkins: God for Grown-Ups, and Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack.

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A Sion College Seminar Supper with Dr Paula Byrne

We are delighted that Dr Paula Byrne will be our speaker. Paula is a bestselling biographer, author and literary critic. Her doctorate focused on Jane Austen and the theatre, and her biographies since have ranged from the 18th actor and poet Mary Robinson to the witty observations of Barbara Pym. S

he has been living for a few years in the US, but since returning to the UK, she has spoken at many literary festivals, including those at Yeovil, Derby, and Cheltenham.

Online application and payment is available for this event. To apply and pay online you will first need to register if you haven't done so already. Once the Administrator has approved your registration, you will be able to log in and access the online application/payment. You will only need to register once, and for any applications for subsequent events you will need only to log in.

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ANNUAL FEAST OF SION COLLEGE

Apothecaries’ Hall, Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6EJ

The President and Court of Governors request the pleasure of your company at the Annual Feast of the College on Thursday 7th May 2026 at Apothecaries’ Hall, Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6EJ, at 6.45 for 7.15 pm. The dress code is Black Tie (those who have attended the Feast in the past will know that this is interpreted in a variety of ways, including dinner jackets, evening length dresses, traditional national dress, cassocks or court coats!).

We are delighted this year to welcome as our principal speaker Andrew Carwood MBE, Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral. He has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation, having had a significant career as a singer before focussing his attention on conducting and choral direction.

Online application and payment is available for this event. To apply and pay online you will first need to register if you haven't done so already. Once the Administrator has approved your registration, you will be able to log in and access the online application/payment. You will only need to register once, and for any applications for subsequent events you will need only to log in.

Click here, once you have logged in, to access the online application and payment form.