LCSB Annual Covenant Service: A new year's resolution of faith "Through all the changing seasons of life, my heart and tongue shall still praise my God." 4 January 2026, 6pm << Back Join us for the LCSB Covenant Service We invite you to join us for a cherished tradition within the Methodist Church, the Covenant Service, when we celebrate the grace of God and our commitment to walk in His ways. This service will be held on Sunday 4 January 2026 at 6 pm , as part of our series of ecumenical Sunday evening services. All are welcome, regardless of experience, background, or faith journey. Whether you’ve participated before, are joining for the first time, or simply wish to observe, this special service offers everyone a time for reflection, renewal, and a deep sense of community. This year's theme is taken from Nahun Tate's hymn, 'Through all the changing seasons of life '. To join our Sunday evening prayer on this or any other occasion, please contact our enquirers team: enquirers@lcsb.uk A tradition since 1755: The origins of the Covenant Service The Covenant Service traces its roots back to 1755, when John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, introduced it as a way for people to reaffirm their commitment to a life of faith and devotion. Wesley believed that the beginning of a new year was a meaningful time for his community to collectively make a fresh start in their commitment to God. Today, Methodists around the world gather to continue this tradition, making the Covenant Service a defining part of Methodist discipleship and devotion. The heart of the Covenant: Living in relationship with God At the core of the Covenant Service lies a simple yet profound idea: the invitation to live in a close, loving relationship with God. This covenant is not a contract or a set of conditions to meet; it’s God’s gracious offer to be our God, as expressed in the promise, “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Through the Covenant Service, we, in the Lay Community of St Benedict, celebrate this gift of grace, choosing to reaffirm our place in this divine relationship and allowing it to guide our lives throughout the year. As we come together in worship, we recognise that our relationship with God is shared within a community. We don’t walk this path alone. Rather, we journey as the Body of Christ, encouraged and strengthened by one another to live out God’s love and will in our daily lives. A commitment to justice and discipleship The Covenant Service also emphasises a call to justice and discipleship. As we renew our commitment, we’re reminded of our responsibility to live out God’s love and justice in the world. This is more than a private prayer; it’s a promise to seek ways to support others, uphold dignity, and serve our communities. This shared dedication to justice is one of the most powerful ways Methodists express their faith. A gift of grace, not a demand At its heart, the Covenant Service is an opportunity to receive God’s grace. It’s not about striving for perfection or making promises we’re afraid we can’t keep. Rather, it’s about accepting the love God freely offers and allowing that love to shape our lives. It’s a gift meant to uplift and sustain us, not a burden to bear alone. Covenant Services 2022 & 2023 (video) "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

Safeguarding << Back Safeguarding statement Our commitment flows from our faith that all human beings are made in the image of God, and the Christian belief in the dignity and uniqueness of every human life. Each person has a right to expect the highest level of care and protection, love, encouragement and respect that can be given. We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The following statement was agreed and adopted by Council in November 2025, subject to approval by the Trustees. The Lay Community of Saint Benedict is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and adults at risk of harm. We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm or abuse to children and adults at risk of harm in all their recognised forms. We recognise the personal dignity and rights of all people and will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this. We believe all people should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of The Lay Community of Saint Benedict subject to legal obligations such as safety and safeguarding which must be maintained. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs. We believe every child and adult should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that all those we have contact with know this, and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm. We are committed to: Following statutory denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm and will ensure that, as an organisation, all employees, contractors and volunteers will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy. Implementing the requirements of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to, the Children Act (1989/2004), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), the Disability Discrimination Acts (1995 and 2005), Equality Act (2010) and the Care Act (2014). Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work. Keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding. Providing annual safeguarding training to all members, volunteers and employees to ensure knowledge of and compliance with our Safeguarding Policy and related policies/guidelines. Supporting all in the Lay Community of Saint Benedict affected by abuse. We recognise that: The Police have the responsibility for investigating all allegations of criminal activity. Children’s Social Care has the lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care has the lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We will review this statement and our policy annually. If you have any concerns for a child or adult, please contact one of the following who have been approved as Safeguarding Officers for this organisation via the following emails: safeguardingofficer@lcsb.com or deputysafeguarding@lcsb.com Our Safeguarding Policy is available to download here: LCSB Safeguarding Policy 2025 The abbot or abbess must take the greatest care that cellarers and those who serve the sick do not neglect them, for the shortcomings of disciples are his responsibility. (ch 36)

Our prayer and our promise << Back Our Community prayer As a community, we regularly pray our prayer together: Our Community Promise "In response to the call of Christ, I offer myself to Almighty God, by the help of the Holy Spirit, with the love of the Lay Community of St Benedict to live holy communion, create holy space and offer holy service in ways in which my circumstances allow." A common declaration of commitment, called the Promise, binds together all members of the LCSB. Our promise is a commitment renewed annually to a life in Christian community. We start our promise with an appeal to our Trinitarian God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - who models to us a life in community. We add to that the horizontal dimension of the love of our own community. Our calling as lay Benedictines is a way of living out our response to the call of Christ with other Christians. We articulate the promise in a way which is unique to our community - to live holy communion, create holy space and offer holy service. These commitments come from the heart of our experience of the Rule of St Benedict. We aspire to live holy communion, our expression of the joy of living in community. We create holy space where people can come to refresh themselves, feel safe and nurtured, and where we experience the presence of God. This has echoes of the Benedictine vow of stability. And lastly, we offer holy service to each other and through our outreach, either as a community or in the individual vocations to which we are called. This echoes the focus in the Rule of St Benedict on work, and on sanctifying the real activities we do to build the Kingdom of God. We end the Promise with a word of nuance which is typical of the Rule of St Benedict, “in ways in which my circumstances allow.” Whenever St Benedict prescribes in the Rule, he always imagines exceptions and times when the prescription needs to be adapted. Human beings are at the centre of the Rule as they are in the way that we aspire to live our community life. One of our members who is a busy mother expresses it like this: “It can be difficult to live out Benedictine spirituality in our busy lives, but it is always good to know that the support of a praying community is there when needed.” When a seeker becomes a member, he or she will recite the promise for the first time at what we call “The Promise Ceremony”. This is a moving occasion. In addition, every year at the Summer Gathering, all members renew their Promise. The one to be received must promise stability, fidelity to the monastic lifestyle and obedience before all in the oratory. This is done in the presence of God and the saints.

<< Back to St Benedict Week St Benedict Week 2024 Photos << Back Adam, our LCSB Community Leader comments "What an amazing and varied St Benedict Week we had! LCSB formal and informal, from north to south, got together over the week to celebrate in so many diverse ways. The Holy Spirit was at work! Thank you to all those who works so hard to make our events so successful." St Benedict Week 2024 The Douai visit to archives and history talk by Fr Oliver Holt. St Benedict Week 2024 Richard & Angela Dumughn & Helen Nolan had a cup of tea and cake in their garden on 8th July. St Benedict Week 2024 Helen and Mike Healy on their 32nd wedding anniversary at Worth Abbey St Benedict Week 2024 The Kent Lectio Group St Benedict Week 2024 The Kent Lectio Group St Benedict Week 2024 One way to celebrate St Benedict’s Feast Day at the St Lawrence Ground in the Benedictine City of Canterbury …. England v NZ (women’s T20) St Benedict Week 2024 East Anglia Group Outing: Teresa Campbell, Anna Kettle and James Westlake visited the National Trust site at Wicken Fen. Here in a "gastro-put" called The Five Miles from Anywhere No Hurry Inn raising a glass before our lunch. St Benedict Week 2024 East Anglia Group Outing: Teresa Campbell, Anna Kettle and James Westlake visited the National Trust site at Wicken Fen. Here at the junction of Wicken Lode and Monk's Lode. St Benedict Week 2024 East Anglia Group Outing: Teresa Campbell, Anna Kettle and James Westlake visited the National Trust site at Wicken Fen. Here at the junction of Wicken Lode and Monk's Lode. St Benedict Week 2024 Northern Lights Group Ged, Niobe, Anne, Mark, Richard and Christine who went for a walk around Buxton on 6th July - the Buxton Welldressing St Benedict Week 2024 Northern Lights Group Ged, Niobe, Anne, Mark, Richard and Christine who went for a walk around Buxton on 6th July - the Buxton Welldressing St Benedict Week 2024 LCSB South Group Lunch at Meg Potter's -Meg Potter, Julia Guest & Liz Brereton St Benedict Week 2024 Northern Lights Group Walk St Benedict Week 2024 Northern Lights Group Walk St Benedict Week 2024 Northern Lights Group Walk St Benedict Week 2024 Northern Lights Group Walk

External events << Back Thu 15th Oct - The Catholic Union - The Desert and the Polis: Loneliness as Spiritual Crisis and Political Failure Sun 22nd Nov - Worth Abbey - Abbatial Requiem Concert Retreats taking place at Worth Abbey - The Open Cloister Worth Abbey - The monastic internship programme 15-10-26 22-11-26 Click image to buy and manage tickets Retreats - Open Cloister Worth Abbey website Retreats taking place at Worth Abbey The Open Cloister Founded in 2005, The Open Cloister is Worth Abbey’s retreat programme, offering a space for spiritual reflection rooted in Catholic and Benedictine traditions. It invites individuals seeking prayer, rest, and renewal in the peaceful surroundings of the Abbey, building on the legacy of the former Centre of Spirituality. Hospitality is central to Benedictine life. The Open Cloister extends this hospitality to a wider audience, welcoming hundreds of guests each year through a collaborative effort between monks and laypeople. Whether for a weekend retreat or a day visit, it serves as a meaningful link between the monastery and the wider world. Retreat information Internship programme Worth Abbey The monastic internship programme Worth Abbey runs an internship programme for small groups of men to live in proximity to the Community and share in their lives. This internship provides an opportunity for up to five men at a time to live alongside the monastery for two months, following a way of life like that of the monks. During this time, you will learn about the Benedictine tradition and have the opportunity to live in community, to deepen your prayer life and your personal engagement with scripture. Download the flyer Worth Abbey website Interns information

St Benedict Week - Celebration << Back to St Benedict Week We invite you to think up an activity to celebrate St Benedict Week! Have a regional or local picnic? Enjoy a leisurely family walk ; perhaps round off with a visit to a pub or an abbey, or both Arrange a visit to somewhere special Run a charity event We would love to hear what you have planned, so please let us know at DDC@lcsb.uk . W e will post event information and photos on this website. Please get in touch if we can support you. We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life

Summer series This series hopes to weave together a range of perspectives and experiences of what it means to live out Christian Community today as we are inspired by the history of the faith that we have received and carry forward. Click here for Zoom Community, Inclusion and Wellbeing Revd Augustine Ihm is a Minister in the Church of England and an EDI and Leadership Development Consultant. He is also a writer, minister, speaker and facilitator. Augustine is currently a Doctoral Student in Transformational and Cultural Leadership and Practical Theology at Bakke Graduate University based in Dallas, Texas and the Assistant Curate and Student, Mission and Outreach Director at St. James and Emmanuel Didsbury in Manchester. Community and Sacred Space Jay Hulme is an award winning transgender performance poet, speaker and educator. Jay’s most recent collection of poetry, The Backwater Sermons, details his journey through faith and baptism. Jay often goes on “Church Adventures”, seeking out, photographing, and sharing the incredible stories and breathtaking beauty of churches and cathedrals and firmly believes that every church is beautiful and important, regardless of age, architecture, or historical significance, because every church is loved by those who worship there. Jay’s talk will feature his exploration of these sacred places of worship and their communities and his poetry. Community and Charism Community and Charism is a panel discussion about community, charism and a variety of experiences from both residential and dispersed communities. With guest speakers from the Northumbria Community, LCSB, The Community of the Tree of Life and more, we will explore what it means to live as a community inspired by ancient monastic and contemplative spiritual traditions in the 21st century.

Event photos << Back 2025 St Benedict Week 2025 Community members met up across the UK for fun, fellowship and faith. SBW 2025 photos Arundel and Brighton Lourdes pilgrimage 2025 Cefn Lea, Easter 2025 2024 St Benedict Week 2024 Community members met up across the UK for fun, fellowship and faith. Arundel and Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage 25 LCSB Members joined the 2024 Arundel and Brighton Pilgrimage to Lourdes - what a week we had! "As I kneel before you, as I bow my head in prayer, take this day, make it yours, and fill me with your love. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu." SBW 2024 photos Lourdes 2024 photos 2023 St Benedict Week 2023 Community members met up across the UK for fun, fellowship and faith. SBW 2023 photos Crosswalk 2023 You can find out more about our next Crosswalk by visiting our young adults page here . Easter at Cefn Lea 2023 Crosswalk 2023 photos Easter 2023 photos

St Benedict Week 2025 St Benedict Week Year of Hope Talks Divine Office Links Celebrate Gallery 5-13 July 2025 Programme organiser: Adam Simon leader@lcsb.uk St Benedict Week 2025 has now concluded. We spent the week celebrating the spiritual and cultural legacy of St Benedict through a variety of activities, prayers, blogs, podcasts and gatherings. Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB , delivered a keynote address at Worth Abbey on 12 July, exploring how Benedictine values remain relevant today. Please download our Friends Newsletter here with a summary of all that took place during St Benedict Week. The Abbot Primate’s talk, “St Benedict’s Message for Europe in 2025,” came as we mark 60 years since Pope St Paul VI declared St Benedict Patron of Europe. "St Benedict's legacy as Patron of Europe is not merely historical; it is a living inheritance impacting both secular and religious landscapes. In 2025, his guidance on leadership, a balanced life, hospitality to all, and human organisational structures, continue to offer essential inspiration for fostering a more just and spiritually enriched Europe." Please visit our Talks page here to listen to all three St Benedict Week talks. "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 The LCSB is 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 the feast on 11th July. Click to register your interest in St Benedict Week We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life

Rule Rules Life Lent 2026 18 February - 2 April 2026 << Back Our Lenten programme for 2026 has now concluded. See below for information about what took place. Growing closer to Christ through a rule of life As we reflect on different rules of life throughout 2026, as a Community during Lent we shall be learning from other communities during our Lenten reflections. On Wednesday evenings throughout Lent, young adults from our Community will host speakers from different communities, who will share how their Rule of Life has impacted their personal journeys as well as the life of the communities they belong to. The online Zoom sessions will include a time of discussion and reflection. All are welcome to join all or any of the talks - sign up below! Rule of Life Our Lent 2026 talks on YouTube 25-02-26 Fr Mark Kenny - Theology of a Rule of Life 04-03-26 Fr Matthew Jarvis OP - Rule of Life from a Dominican Perspective 11-03-26 Abbot Mark Barrett of Worth Abbey - Rule of Life from a Benedictine Perspective 18-03-26 Br Matthew - Prior of Taizé - Taizé Rule of Life 25-03-26 Catherine Askew - Northumbria Community - Rule of Life Lent 2024 Lent 2025 We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life

Our vision and mission << Back Our mission We welcome all who wish to root their lives more fully in the Gospel through the wisdom of St Benedict. As a community of prayer, friendship, and service, we seek to nurture the divine spark in every person so it may grow into a flame of faith, hope, and love—shaping daily life and radiating into the wider world. Our vision Inspired by the Gospel and the wisdom of St Benedict, we desire to be a community that prays deeply, welcomes generously, serves joyfully, and inspires a new generation. We seek to grow together in prayer, community and friendship, drawing on the gifts of all and living as missionary disciples who share the joy of the Gospel in daily life. Rooted in Benedictine hospitality, we aim to be an ecumenical, lay-led, intergenerational, inclusive and hopeful community - a beacon of light where all can belong and where the young are encouraged to discover their call to live and love in the spirit of St Benedict. St Benedict encourages us to learn to live in confidence with our frailties and weaknesses. In this spirit, we offer welcome, listening, hope, friendship, and a holy space on our precious planet . Those who seek guidance, we welcome with the Gospel, and the Rule of St Benedict, a tradition dating back 1,500 years. Those who seek meaning, we welcome to the experience of formation, Scripture, and prayer within an inter-generational community All are welcome! More on welcome “The only answer in this life to the loneliness we are all bound to feel is community. The living together, working together, sharing together, loving God and loving our neighbour, and living close to Him in community so we can show our love for Him." Dorothy Day Whoever you may be, then, in your eagerness to reach your Father's home in heaven, be faithful with Christ's help to this little Rule, which is only a beginning.

Regional groups << Back Members of the Lay Community, and any friends or visitors who wish to join them, meet regularly across the UK for faith and fellowship. If you'd like to come along to one of the groups, please contact Pip Weitz at enquirers @lcsb.uk and we'll be in touch. The East Anglia Group meets in person from time to time. The Northern Group meets in person at least twice a year. The Northern Lights Group meets online once a month and in person at least once a year. The Southern Group meets 2- 3 times a year in person, and can sometimes provide online access. The Thames & Chilterns Group meets in person 4 - 5 times a year, usually in the Rickmansworth area. The Wales & Wessex Group meets in person twice a year. 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.