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Community news << Back The Lay Community of Saint Benedict is a living community, shaped by prayer, study, friendship, and service. These updates are shared for those who wish to come to know the Community a little more. Friends newsletter << Back Newsletter Summer 2026 Subscribe to Newsletter Newsletter archive FULL LIST OF EVENTS Therefore we intend to establish a school of the Lord's service

Listen with the e ar of your heart Reimagining the way of Saint Benedict today Come and discover Who are we? A Benedictine Community Who are we and what is our spirituality? Find out about our beginnings and where we are headed... Read more Prayer online Daily prayer Find out how to join us in our online abbey church for prayer times throughout the day. Read more Formation Studying together Click below to explore our study and formation programmes for different ages. Read more Space for young people to connect 18 - 35s Young adults The Balanced Life Project is for young adults seeking balance, spiritual formation, and a place to explore the big questions. Read more Teenagers Teen retreats Find out more about our programme of events and retreats for 13-18s held around the country. Read more Families Families group The LCSB supports all ages on the journey of faith through its own provision for families and in partnership with other projects. Read more We shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.

Welcome to LCSB Young Adults << Back Our young adults group is made up of people from all over the country aged 18-35, studying, in work, or anywhere in between. We meet together online, and in person on retreats and trips during the year. We welcome all young adults, at whatever stage of life you are at, and whether or not you're a member. Scroll to find out more, and if you'd like to know more about being part of our young adults programme, please watch the video below and/or contact Lucy at comms@lcsb.uk Annual events Young adult crosswalk A crosswalk is a walk of witness, a chance to build new friendships in faith and journey together with other young Christians, in preparation for the Easter weekend. In previous years we've carried a cross from Wolverhampton to Wales, staying in church halls along the way. Why not join us in 2027 - details to follow, but put 21-25 March 2027 in your calendar! Pilgrimage to Taize This year we've also gone on pilgrimage to Taize - a wonderful time of faith and friendship. Other activities The Balanced Life project Our goal in the Balanced Life project is to help young people to structure their lives in a sustainable and balanced way around four areas of focus (or pillars): finding purpose; making connections and forming good relationships; cultivating healthy habits; and making a positive impact on the world. Please visit our Balanced Life page for further information about the project: Balanced Life project Retreats Come and spend a weekend with other young adults, exploring and deepening in the Christian faith! Our last retreat was all about discovering the Divine Office, the way that the Church prays with the Psalms. We ate together, sang together - in a mixture of languages! - and prayed together! Which of you desires life and longs to see good days?

Welcome to LCSB teens! << Back See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life. Our teens group is a welcoming group of year 7 to 13s, who meet up with the rest of the Community two to three times a year during our Easter and Summer Gatherings, and separately for their own dedicated retreats and other events; in the run up to our Easter gatherings, we take part in the annual teens crosswalk - a four day walk across Wales during Holy Week carrying a big cross! Keep an eye on this page, Instagram and Facebook for updates on events, and w atch our video above for more info about our group. If you'd like to contact our teens team, please email Pete at youth @lcsb.uk .

Caring for creation group Teach us to respect and love our beautiful world, and all whose lives we touch … Give us courage to pray each day, and work for your kingdom of justice and peace. All life on earth is connected and inter-dependent. What we do, or don’t do, to live sustainably, has an impact across the world that is becoming ever more apparent, and will have an even greater impact on the lives of generations yet unborn. We touch the lives of people everywhere, and are called to show respect and love in the choices we make. Our caring for creation group was formed to encourage and support Community members in taking prayerful action, personally and in collaboration with others, in response to the climate and ecological emergency. Why not join us when we mark the Season of Creation . See here f or this year's programme. For Benedictines, creation is not just a resource — it is a sign of God’s presence and love. Living the Rule today means taking responsibility for the earth and passing it on in good health to future generations. Conversion of life means ongoing transformation. Today, that includes ecological conversion: changing our habits so that they are life-giving for the earth and for those living in poverty. As we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.

All LCSB events << Back Please scroll for a list of general events hosted by the Lay Community; events aimed at specific groups are linked below. Our External events page lists some events organised by others. We also meet regularly for prayer. Please visit our Prayer page to find out more. Family events Regional groups Teens events Young adult events Event photos 2026 Summer Gathering 21-23 August 2026 Details and booking for our 2026 Summer Gathering are available here: Summer Gathering 2026 | LCSB If you are not a Community member, you are very welcome! Please do contact Sharon, the administrator, if you've any queries: admin@lcsb.uk . Season of Creation 1 September-4 October 2026 The Season of Creation runs from 1 September to 4 October (the feast of St Francis of Assisi). It's a special year this year as we mark the 800th anniversary of St Francis of Assisi's death. The Community has chosen this year's theme "Caring for Creation at a time of crisis: how should we live?" . We shall be marking the Season with specially themed Sunday evening services and talks. Please click below for more details, with registration details to follow. Season of Creation 2026 Interfaith Week 13-20 November 2026 Our community marks Interfaith week each year. Check back here for details in due course, and see our programme of talks from other years below. Previous years' talks Advent programme: Caring for humanity 1 -24 December 2026 During Advent we reflect on the call to care for humanity, especially those sisters and brothers most in need of support, practical help and prayer. In preparing for the coming of Christ we share, celebrate and give thanks for all those acts of kindness and compassion that nourish our Community and our world. Advent 2025 The LCSB annual covenant service January 2027 ‘Renewing the covenant and, thereby, strengthening and binding our relationship with God’ 2026 service Lent programme 10 February-21 March 2027 Our Lent programme consists of special weekly talks by speakers from other communities hosted by young adults from our Community, alongside our regular gatherings for prayer, reflection, and fellowship. Click below for more information and to sign up to one or all of the talks. Information to follow Adults crosswalk 2027 dates to be confirmed We walk, carrying a cross, from Shrewsbury to Cefn Lea in Wales, being welcomed by various parishes, villages and groups en route. Information to follow Easter Gathering 26-28 March 2027 Friends and members gather each year for the Easter Triduum - the highpoint in our church year. All are welcome. Information to follow St Benedict Week July 2027 We are a lay-led, inter-generational, ecumenical and inclusive Benedictine community engaged with the world, with a mission to inspire people with the Gospel of Jesus and create a new generation of fans of St Benedict. We invite you to celebrate St Benedict Week in the company of a rich diversity of Benedictine communities, around his feast on 11 July. Dates for 2027 to follow. 2026 programme We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life

Prayers from Home << Back Monday at 7:30pm Prayers from home Click here Click to attend zoom meeting Co-Ordinator Jacky Chong jackychong@btinternet.com With Blessings Galore tomgrufferty1@gmail.com August 3rd Jacky Chong August 10th Richard Belfrage August 17th Cloe Maple August 24th Barbara Brownlee August 31st Tom Grufferty September 7th Jacky Chong September 14th Walter Essex September 21st Jacky Chong September 28th Eryl D 'Souza October 5th Tom Grufferty Monday 10th August Richard Belfrage The Lay Community of St Benedict website@lcsb.uk Video Archive - 2026 Video Archive - 2025 Video Archive - 2024 Video Archive - Lent 2024 Prayers from Home - My journey through Covid and beyond Meeting hosted by the Lay Community of St Benedict LCSB Home (in new tab) LCSB Jan 2023 As we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.

LCSB - a video introduction Welcome to our video page! We've gathered a few videos about various aspects of our Community and Community life - just click on each image. If you're interested in any of the groups, or in joining us for daily prayer, please visit the relevant pages and contact us for information. And for all of our videos do visit our YouTube channel: LCSB YouTube channel

External Links NEXUS - October 2025 "I warmly endorse the celebration of the Benedictine way of living the Gospel. Blogs, talks and podcasts will highlight the inspiration that St Benedict brings to people's lives today, while community events and times of prayer will enable active participation in this way of life. St Benedict says that guests are to be received with humanity and humility, two qualities that I hope will characterise the experience of those taking part in the week." Dom Christopher Jamison, Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life

Advent: Caring for Humanity 2025 1 - 24 December 2025 << Back During Advent this year we shall be reflecting as a community on the call to care for humanity, especially those sisters and brothers most in need of support, practical help and prayer. In preparing for the coming of Christ we shall share, celebrate and give thanks for all those acts of kindness and compassion that nourish our community and our world. Please scroll for our programme of talks. Lord of hope and life, Advent is come, and we pray that it be in our homes and in our hearts as we heed the cry of the prophets: ‘Arise, awake, look around and see!’ With open hearts we ask to walk these days with you, mindful of so many who live in need of consolation, strength, hope, peace and justice. Help us to see this world in the light of Advent knowing that fullness of life comes from the shelter, care and kindness we give and, in turn, receive. In this time of stillness and waiting we offer ourselves, just as we are, in faith and in love, and in response to your call. 2025 programme 1st week of Advent We're offering a series of talks this Advent. On Thursday 4 December 2025, at 20.00 Aidan Hughes will talk about 'A Hope and a Future': working with marginalised people in North East England, and Pip Weitz will share about connecting points in her life. See Aidan's video here See Pip's video here 2nd week of Advent Thursday 11 December 2025, 20.00 Talk: Care for humanity on the West Bank Speaker: Tim Livesey See Tim's talk here 3rd week of Advent Our regular weekly prayers continue throughout Advent: see here for details. If you'd like to join us, please register at enquirers@lcsb.uk 4th week of Advent Our regular weekly prayers continue throughout Advent: see here for details. If you'd like to join us, please register at enquirers@lcsb.uk

St Benedict Week - Talks << Back to St Benedict Week 2026 St Benedict Week talks The theme for this year's talks is "Awaken with a Rule of Life!" Speakers for this year's talks will be announced soon - please enjoy listening to the previous years' talks by scrolling down this page. 2025 St Benedict Week talks The theme for the 2025 talks: "St Benedict's message for Europe in 2025: Celebrating 60 years of St Benedict as patron of Europe." Dr Charles Insley Senior Lecturer in Medieval History and Head of History, the University of Manchester, and member of the LCSB “The rule of Saint Benedict and the making of the English state”, Click here to listen to the talk Baroness Sheila Hollins Emeritus Professor, Charity founder, Crossbench life-peer, President of the Catholic Union and member of the LCSB “St Benedict at 60: A monastic vision lived by lay people in a fragmented Europe”, Click here to listen to the talk Abbot Jeremias Abbot Jeremias Schröder The Abbot Primate’s talk, titled “St Benedict’s Message for Europe in 2025,” comes as we mark 60 years since Pope St Paul VI declared St Benedict Patron of Europe. Click here to listen to the talk Abbot Primate 2024 St Benedict Week talks The theme for the 2024 talks: "Benedict: Opportunity in a time of crisis." In a world which resembles the epoch when St Benedict wrote his Rule, following the collapse of the Roman Empire, Pope Francis recently said to the Roman Curia, “Brothers and sisters, Christendom no longer exists.” Our speakers will explore different aspects of the heritage of the Rule of St Benedict, and how this presents an opportunity as we move into an apostolic age of renewal. Jerome Beards Discipleship and Digital Coordinator 8th July 2024 - "Discovering rootedness" Jerome is the current Discipleship and Digital Coordinator for The Lay Community of St Benedict. He is passionate about helping young people to grow in their faith and bringing them to a deeper knowledge of Christ. Alongside his work with the community, he is also studying an MA in Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies at The University of Essex. Click here to listen to the talk Rowan Williams Former Archbishop of Canterbury, theologian and poet 9th July 2024 - "Madeleine Delbrêl - forming community in response to danger and need" Rowan Williams is a Welsh Anglican bishop, poet and theologian who has served both as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and as a member of the House of Lords. Williams has written extensively both on ecumenism and inter-faith relations. He has also written on Benedictine spirituality in The Way of St Benedict . He gave a memorable address to the Lay Community of St Benedict in 2021 as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. Click here to listen to the talk Dr Scholastica Jacob Researcher 10th July 2024 - "St Benedict, guide in a time of crisis" Dr Scholastica Jacob is a researcher at the University of Durham and a former member of Stanbrook Abbey, a convent of Benedictine nuns in Wass, North Yorkshire. She also works as a librarian and an archivist at St Antony's Priory, Durham. Her areas of research include nineteenth century religious life, the growth of Anglican monastic orders and women's reading habits and books. Click here to listen to the talk Fr Chad Boulton Novice Master at Ampleforth Abbey 13th July 2024 - "Still full of sap, still green – Benedictine fruitfulness today" Fr Chad Boulton OSB joined the monastic community of Ampleforth Abbey in 1992 and worked as a Housemaster and Chaplain in Ampleforth College. He is currently Novice Master, and Oblate Master, as well as being part of the Retreat Team. Not only will he be delivering a talk for St Benedict Week, but he has also been interviewed by Jerome Beards for an LCSB podcast episode which will be released during the week. Click here to listen to the talk 2023 St Benedict Week Talks The theme for the 2023 talks: "Celebrating Benedict". Abbot Christopher Jamison Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation 9th July 2023 - "All should be called to counsel" At a time when the Church is learning about synodality, Abbot Christopher talks about how we discern together the future of the Church, aided by the wisdom of St Benedict. After ordination as a priest in 1978, Abbot Christopher began work in Worth School. In 1994 he was appointed as Headmaster of the Senior school and served until 2002. He concluded one term as Abbot in 2010 at which time he was appointed as the Director of England and Wales' National Office for Vocations. He served in that role until 2017 when he was elected as the Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation where he serves to the present time Click here to listen to the talk Mary Hirst Lay Benedictine 11th July 2023 - "Benedict: Pointer to Christ" Mary overwhelmed us with the depth of her insight into the way that Benedict leads us to Christ. Mary is married and is a promised member of the Manquehue Movement. She is an ex-pupil of Ampleforth College, has worked in chaplaincy at Downside School and was the Discipleship Coordinator of the LCSB from 2022-2023. She is passionate about prayer and Lectio Divina and sharing with these others. Click here to listen to the talk Abbess Anne Clarke Abbess of Malling Abbey 16th July 2023 - "Benedict's Path of Prayer" "Why pray when the world is world is burning?" Abbess Anna poses this question in her talk on Benedict's path of prayer and its vital place in life. Anne Clarke OSB is Abbess of the community of Anglican Benedictine nuns living at Malling Abbey in Kent. Before joining the community in 2009 she had a long career writing software for the internet but came to realise that wisdom was not to be found in that fragmented deluge of information. Her passion for healing of people and planet led her to embrace a contemplative path and ultimately to the simple and focused life of a traditional monastic. Click here to listen to the talk We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life

Contact us << Back Email For general enquiries or to enquire about joining our online Offices or becoming a member of the LCSB, please email with your name and some details about yourself - enquirers@lcsb.uk or submit this form For enquiries about our young adults groups, please contact us at DDC@lcsb.uk For enquiries about our teens groups, contact Pete Emmott youth@lcsb.uk For enquiries about our family groups, contact Helen Nolan families@lcsb.uk For enquiries about Safeguarding, please contact Katharine McDevitt - safeguardingofficer@lcsb.uk ‘The brothers and sisters should have specified periods for manual labour as well as for prayerful reading.’ (ch48)