Here is a list of all our upcoming events. Click on the image or text summary to find out more about any of our events and to book your place. If you are planning to attend a number of events, click here to find out about purchasing a Season Ticket.
If you would like to attend an event but find the costs prohibitive, please contact us about our straightforward bursaries programme.
Book Group
Reading: Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
1 June, 22 June, 27 July, 24 August and 28 September 7:30pm
The book chosen by the St James’ Institute Book Group is Richard Rohr’s Falling Upward. Early registration is advisable and numbers are limited. Free to attend, members to purchase their own copy of the book. Click here for further information.
Mid-Year Studies: Pilgrim Course – The Eucharist
Sue Mackenzie, Libby and Ross Hindmarsh, Kumar Rasiah, Christopher Waterhouse
Chatswood, City, Pyrmont, Homebush, Week commencing 5th June
A study on how Christians know and worship God. This four part series reveals the reasons why the Eucharist is celebrated as a memorial of Christ’s saving passion and stands at the very heart of Christian worship. Free to attend, $10 for the booklet.
Our Mob, God’s Story
Louise Sherman and artists
Wednesday 5th July, 4:30pm, St James’ Hall
This new book published by the Bible Society features Christian art works by 65 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. The first half of the book features Old Testament stories and Biblical people, the second half of the book features the New Testament. We meet and discuss art and faith with one of the editors of the book and several of the featured artists. Click here for more.
St James’ Talk: Pilgrimages
Gordon Cooper
Saturday 22 July, 2:30pm-4:30pm, St James’ Hall
Gordon, a St James’ parishioner and Honorary Archivist of St James’, will explore the theology behind pilgrimages, a feature of Christian devotion for centuries, and the extent to which this theology was reflected in popular understanding. The talk will be illustrated and pay particular attention to the popular pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, important also in medieval times. $10. Click here for more.
Slow Church for an Anxious Time
Rt Revd Professor Stephen Pickard
Sunday 20th August, 2pm-4pm, St James’ Hall
The idea of slow church takes its cue from Michael Leunig’s line in Another Way of Being ‘nothing can be loved at speed’. For the church to re-engage people and Australian society it will need to attend to the needs, hopes and anxieties of Australians and especially its First Peoples. We desperately need to recover a pace of life that maximises the possibility of truly meeting others where they at, and find God in our midst. Can the church rise to the occasion? $30 ($25 conc).
SJKS Retreat
Revd Catherine Eaton
5pm Friday 8 to 2pm Sunday 10 September, St Mary’s Towers, Douglas Park
Catherine is an honorary assistant priest at St Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn, with a particular interest in spirituality and contemplative prayer. The retreat is open to all, price includes accommodation and meals. $220 (not included in Season Ticket).
Beyond Belief
Hugh Mackay
Sunday 8 October, 2pm-3:45pm, St James’ Hall
Most Australians (61%) regard themselves as Christian, and 68% believe in God or some ‘higher power’, yet only 8% attend church weekly. Why the gap? And why are we more comfortable talking about “spirituality” than “religion”? Drawing on material in his latest book, Beyond Belief, prominent social researcher and author, Hugh Mackay, will explore these issues with us. $50 ($40 conc) including refreshments.
Martin Luther and J S Bach
Very Revd Andreas Loewe
Saturday 28 October, 3pm-4:30pm
J S Bach scholar and dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, Dr Andreas Loewe, presents a lecture on the work to be performed by the Choir of St James’ later that day, marking Bach’s immense contribution to Lutheran church music, on this occasion honouring the 500th anniversary of Luther’s famous theses and their place in the Protestant Reformation. $30 ($25 conc).
Rector’s Series
Fr Andrew Sempell
Thursday 9, 16, 23, 30 November, 6:30pm-8pm, St James’ Hall
The Revd Andrew Sempell is the Rector of St James’ King Street. In his annual series he discusses issues facing the church, matters of theology and faith. A light meal is provided during these talks, you can attend one event or the entire series. Tickets for the series are $60 ($50 conc) including a light meal, or $20 per session.
Advent Reflection
Revd Canon Peter Yeats
Saturday 2 December, 10am-4pm, St John’s Balmain
The Rector of St John’s Balmain will lead us in a day of quiet reflection to mark the eve of Advent. Tickets are $70 ($60 conc) including lunch and all refreshments.
Advent Studies: Pilgrim Course – Church and Kingdom
Fr Andrew Sempell, Fr John Stewart
Option 1: Monday 27 November, 4, 11, 18 December, 10am-12noon, Clergy House, Chatswood
Option 2: Tuesday 28 November, 5, 12, 19 December, 1pm-2pm, St James’ Hall
In this six part series we are invited to explore how we can ‘follow the way’, experiencing Christian faith not just as a set of things to believe in but as a way of life. Free to attend, $10 for booklet.