God’s Own People, Our “Own Church” – Exploring 1 Peter
Online via Zoom, Monday 2nd March, Monday 16th March, Monday 30th March 6.30pm-4.45pm
One of our better-known parishioners, Samuel Pepys, referred to St Olave Hart Street in his diaries as ‘Our Own Church’. The phrase is painted on the noticeboards outside. This Lent we explore the text of 1 Peter, which contains the verse: “you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Using a commentary developed for Bishops at the last Lambeth Conference, we will explore the First Epistle of Peter, asking what it means to be God’s own people and what it means for St Olave Hart Street to be our “own church”. You may wish to buy a copy of the course booklet ‘The First Letter of Peter: A Global Commentary” edited by Jennifer Strawbridge, which is for sale second hand for a modest price.
Sign up to receive our weekly email bulletin for details on how to join the course online via Zoom.
Lent Talks : “Our Own Church”
Tuesday 17th March – Commodore Ian Gibb MBE MNM
5.30pm (Compline followed by refreshments), 6.00pm (Talk)
Tuesday 24th March – Dr Carolyn Boulter DL
5.30pm (Choral Evensong followed by refreshments), 6.30pm (Talk)
To complement our study of 1 Peter and our exploration of what it means to be God’s own people and for St Olave Hart Street to be our own church, we are delighted to be joined by Commodore Ian Gibb MBE MNM and Dr Carolyn Boulter DL, who will tell us about what it means for Trinity House and the Pepys Club as well as The Clothworkers Company to call St Olave Hart Street their ‘own’ church – whilst revealing something of their own journeys in life and faith. All are welcome.
Church of England Daily Devotions for Lent
We have a stock of the Church of England’s booklets offering daily reflections for the forty days of Lent, which are available from The Rector. The cost of these is £2.75 each, contributions to this cost are most welcome. You can find more resources at this link.
Diocese of London Online Lent Course 2026 – “Treasures of Darkness”
Join the Bishops of the Diocese of London this Lent to explore the journey of discipleship amid uncertainty, mystery, and unknowing. Drawing on lived experience and the wisdom of disability and suffering theologies, we will reflect on what it means to follow Christ – not in spite of life’s struggles, but as we encounter God’s grace and guidance within them. Find out more at this link.
