Alpha Friends

Friendsof St Paul's Theological Centre attended a dinner at Lambeth Palace last weekhosted by Archbishop Rowan Williams and his wife Jane. 

The Centre, which ispart of London's St Mellitus College, provides theological education for around20 ordination candidates each year and also offers courses for hundreds of laypeople.

Linked to Holy Trinity Brompton, the Centre offers training in which academicstudies run parallel with practical work in the local church.

Welcoming the guests, Archbishop Rowan provoked laughter when he alluded to hiswife's role as a lecturer in the Centre. He said, 'As a teacher's spouse, Ihave a vested interest in the success of the St Paul's Theological Centre.

'At a recent diocesan event, I was talking to a graduate of an eminenttheological college of an eminent university city, who said to me, "If Iwas starting out again, I think I know where I would go..." He meant theSt Paul's Theological Centre. I think that is a great tribute.'

He pointed out that there was a unique combination of 'theology and joy' at theCentre, saying, 'People don't often link those together, but in Graham [Tomlin,the dean] and the work of St Paul's Theological Centre, I see that and it is avery special thing.'

Speakers at the dinner included Dr Jane Williams, Dean Graham Tomlin, TrusteesChairman Paul Marshall, and the Rev'd Nicky Gumbel, Vicar of Holy TrinityBrompton.