Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology

15/10/2026

From Nihilism to God: Challenging a Familiar Story

What happens to our values and sense of meaning when belief in God disappears? And what if the familiar story of Nietzsche’s ‘death of God’ is not quite what it seems?

Join us on Wednesday 25 November for this year’s Lash Lecture, delivered by Professor Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy and Head of Department at the University of Nottingham.

Nietzsche famously associated the ‘death of God’ with the threat of nihilism. Without God, it seems, our deepest values and sources of meaning are placed in jeopardy.

In this lecture, Prof. Ellis will challenge this familiar narrative. Returning to Nietzsche’s own confrontation with nihilism, she will explore tensions within his response and ask whether his rejection of God depends on a particular, contestable understanding of the divine.

Could a different conception of God offer Nietzsche more than he suspects? And what might this mean for our understanding of nihilism today?

Professor Ellis is the author of God, Value, and Nature (Oxford University Press, 2014) and has recently completed The End of Desire: Meaning, Nihilism, and God. Her research explores questions of love, desire, meaning and religious understanding.

📅 Wednesday 25 November 2026
🕕 6 pm
📍 In person

Join us for an evening of philosophical and theological reflection. All are welcome!

Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-lash-lecture-from-nihilism-to-god-challenging-a-familiar-story-tickets-2002618663331?aff=oddtdtcreator

30/09/2026

Looking for a space for reflection and spiritual growth? This event may interest you.

Come and join us for a Silent Retreat Day with “Slow Stitching” at Margaret Beaufort Institute. The theme is “Autumn Gold” - Let Go and Let It Be.

Wednesday 18th November 2026 at 10.30 am-4.00 pm. Welcome coffee/tea and biscuits available from 10am.

Open to men and women. There are only 17 spaces available - BOOK NOW!

Deadline for booking is 10th November.

This retreat will be led by Jacqueline Tevlin, Spiritual Director.

Slow sewing is an invitation to pause and take a gentle approach to each stitch with a focus on the process of creating your textile art rather than aiming for a ‘finished’ product. These slow moments offer opportunities for reflection, enjoying the texture of the remnants and the colour of the embellishments. Items can be repurposed into your own unique craftwork or canvas collage – maybe with the layering of textiles, practicing new stitches or using a leisurely long stitch. Just add scissors and your imagination!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumn-gold-silent-retreat-day-with-slow-stitching-tickets-1991781242313

25/09/2026

What do ecumenism and interfaith dialogue look like in a time of global crisis – and where can we find hope?

This past week, members of the Margaret Beaufort Institute community joined the Cambridge Theological Federation conference, Ecumenism and Interfaith in Global Crisis: Challenge and Hope.

We listened to rich discussions and high-quality research, with speakers approaching the challenges of our present moment from different theological, ecumenical and interfaith perspectives.

Our Principal, Dr Anna Abram, reflected on crisis in three interconnected areas: relationships, cognition and leadership – inviting us to think about how these crises shape our communities and our responses to one another.

It was wonderful to see MBIT students, affiliates and friends taking part in the conference and engaging in conversations across traditions and disciplines.

We came away with much to think about – and with a renewed appreciation of the importance of creating spaces where different voices and traditions can meet, listen and learn from one another.

Thank you to the Cambridge Theological Federation and everyone who contributed to such an inspiring week.

23/09/2026

How do we safeguard what it means to be human in the age of Artificial Intelligence?

This year, we have a unique opportunity to reflect together on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.

As we enter an increasingly AI-shaped world, questions about human dignity, creativity, responsibility and our collective future become ever more pressing. The Margaret Beaufort Institute invites you to explore these questions through Communal Lectio Divina – a contemplative practice of reading, reflection and shared listening.

Our first gathering will take place on 11 November, with Fr Ed Hone as our initial Lectio reflector.

📅 11 November 2026
📍 St Edmund’s College Chapel & Weston Room, Woolf Institute, Cambridge

Adoration: 11.00–11.20 am
Coffee from 11.30 am
Communal Lectio Divina: 11.45 am–1.00 pm

Further gatherings:
17 February – Prof. Jennifer Schooling
14 April – reflector TBC

You are warmly welcome to attend Adoration, Lectio Divina, or both.

Find out more and register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/adoration-communal-lectio-divina-4872273

17/09/2026

Have you always wanted to study theology but felt unable due to your situation, circumstances, finances, or other reasons? Don't worry. This academic year, we're here to support you. You can participate in various events or audit academic modules alongside other Master's students.

Learn about these opportunities through our latest newsletter. To get reminders and invitations directly, simply subscribe, and you'll receive updates in your inbox every two weeks.

https://mailchi.mp/mbit/michaelmas2026-13850141

16/09/2026

What can centuries of Christian spiritual wisdom teach us about living faithfully today? 🌿

From the Early Church to contemporary expressions of faith, Christian spirituality has developed through a remarkable diversity of traditions, practices and voices across East and West.

Next week, we begin Christian Spiritual Traditions East and West – an online course exploring this rich history and asking how traditions from the past can speak meaningfully to questions of faith, spirituality, culture and identity today.

Together, we will encounter major figures and approaches to Christian spirituality, explore their historical and theological contexts, and consider both the diversity and continuity of Christian spiritual life through the centuries.

📅 Starts Monday 21 September 2026
⏰ Mondays, 2.00–4.30 pm
💻 Online
🎥 Sessions are recorded and course materials are available through our online portal
🪙£230 for all sessions
📜 Certificate of Attendance available on request

Course leaders include Dr Gemma Simmonds, Dr Dragos Herescu, Dr Karen O’Donnell, Dr Jenny Leith, Dr Christoph Schneider and Dr Eleni Ponirakis.

There is still time to join us!

👉 Find out more and register via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christian-spiritual-traditions-east-and-west-tickets-1998426397150

11/09/2026

🍂 Let go. Slow down. Let it be.

Join us for Autumn Gold – a Silent Retreat Day with Slow Stitching at the Margaret Beaufort Institute.

A gentle day of silence, guided reflection and creativity, led by Spiritual Director Jacqueline Tevlin. Take time away from the usual busyness, enjoy the meditative rhythm of slow stitching, and make space for reflection and spiritual growth.

🧵 No special sewing experience needed
📅 Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 10.30 am–4.00 pm
📍 Westminster College, Cambridge
🍂 £48, including a themed stitching kit and welcome refreshments
✨ Open to women and men

Only 17 places available.
Booking closes 10 November.

👉 Book your place: [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumn-gold-silent-retreat-day-with-slow-stitching-tickets-1991781242313

08/09/2026

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) (Luke 1:46 ,55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

The world celebrates people for what they become. Today, the Church celebrates Mary simply because she was born 💙

👉 Read our reflection: https://ewtn.co.uk/article-gb-before-the-world-knew-her-name-what-marys-birth-teaches-us-about-human-life/

05/09/2026

What happens when people from different Christian traditions and different faiths come together in a spirit of friendship, understanding and shared hope?

We invite you to read our latest post, “Celebrating Ecumenism and Interfaith,” and discover reflections on the importance of building bridges, deepening understanding and celebrating the richness of our diverse communities.

📖 Read the full post here:
https://www.mbit.cam.ac.uk/news/post/celebrating-ecumenism-and-interfaith/