*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Podcast: ‘Betrayed by the heart’s need’: R. S. Thomas, pandemic, and lament a talk by Mark Oakley

by
25 June 2021

0:00 / 0:00
Alamy

R. S. Thomas in 1992

R. S. Thomas in 1992

On this week’s podcast, Mark Oakley explores the role of lament in the midst of a pandemic, and how the poetry of R. S. Thomas can help us to find a voice.

His talk given at the R. S. Thomas and ME Eldridge Society Festival last Saturday, in association with the Church Times.

The online festival brought together people with an appreciation of the literary and artistic works, musical compositions, people and places associated with R. S. Thomas and M. E. Eldridge. Purchase a ticket here to access a recording of the entire event.

Find out about other forthcoming Church Times online events here.

Canon Mark Oakley is Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge, and the author of The Splash of Words: Believing in poetry (Canterbury Press), which won the 2019 Michael Ramsey Prize.


Click the play button above to listen to this podcast. You can also listen to the Church Times Podcast on the Church Times app for iPhone and iPadSoundcloudApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify, and most other podcast platforms. 

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

English Mystics Series course

26 January - 25 May 2026

A short course at Sarum College.

tickets available now

 

Springtime for the Church of England: where are we seeing growth?

31 January 2026

Join us at St John's Church, Waterloo to hear a group of experts speak about the Quiet Revival.

tickets available now

 

With All Your Heart: a retreat in preparation for Lent

14 February 2026

Church Times/Canterbury Press online retreat.

tickets available now

 

Merlin’s Isle: A Journey in Words and Music with Malcolm Guite and the St Martin's Voices

17 February 2026

Canterbury Press event at Temple Church, London. The Poet and Priest draws out the Christian bedrock at the heart of the Arthurian stories, revealing their spiritual depth and enduring resonance.

tickets available now

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events

Welcome to the Church Times

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read up to four free articles a month. (You will need to register.)