Podcast
Shaping Faith: exploring God, life and the Church of England
Hosted by George Meyrick and John Henry · EN
Two priests from the Church of England discussing the Church year and how it's journey and themes can help us to explore more deeply questions of faith and life.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lenten Times: The calling of the Church in the wilderness
Mar 3100:36:54Tap to summarizeIn their episode for Lent this year, Frs George and John stick with the theme of vocation, but this time they are thinking about the vocation of the Church. Particularly in Lent and surrounded by much wilderness and division in the world, they discuss how both the local and global Church might be called to respond. If you would like to get in touch with the team or suggest a topic that you would like to dear discussed, do send them an email on shapingfaith24@gmail.com
Transcribe →Space to Retreat: how might God be calling you?
Feb 1800:50:00Tap to summarizeIn the first episode of year three, Frs George and John record from a retreat, where they trained for ordination. They reflect on their first awareness of call and how God calls different people in all sorts of ways. They explore the call to priesthood and the call outside of it, reflecting particularly on a book by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell. Do get in touch with the team at shapingfaith24@gmail.com, particularly if there is a topic or question you would particularly like them to talk about.
Transcribe →From Advent to Christmas: the journey of the shepherds
Dec 2300:34:27Tap to summarizeIn this shorter episode to round off the second season, Frs George and John reflect on the journey from Advent into Christmas. They explore how the shepherds help us do this and they discuss the Reith lectures for 2025. To get in touch, send them an email at shapingfaith24@gmail.com. Merry Christmas from both of us!
Transcribe →The pain of death, St Michael and heaven: do you believe in angels?
Nov 2500:55:34Tap to summarizeIn the last episode of this season, and the first for a couple of months Frs George and John begin by talking about a tragic death, which had to put the breaks on recording last's month's episode. They talk through the journey of that process and how it links with these weeks in November, which lead to the end of the Church year. They also look back to last month. With St Michael and all the angels as their characters to explore for this episode, they take a deep dive into the beliefs in angels. Do get in touch with George and John via shapingfaith24@gmail.com to let them know your thoughts, or any suggestions for what you would like them to cover in season 3 in 2026.
Transcribe →Theotokos: the ordinary made extraordinary and the coming to Jesus through his mother
Aug 3100:51:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode Frs George and John discuss Mary the mother of Jesus. Form the Mary we get in the four gospels to Marian theology and spirituality, they ponder who this woman was, some of the helpful and unhelpful ways she has been portrayed by the Church, and what she might mean for us and our faith today. Do get in touch with the team if you would like at shapingfaith24@gmail.com for feedback, a question for a future episode, or simply to say hello and that you listen.
Transcribe →Petertide: are you a Peter or are you a Paul?
Jul 500:50:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode for the end of June and start of July, Frs George and John dive into the character of St Peter and St Paul. From this starting point they think about the wide spectrum of characters God calls to His Church and they finish with some thoughts on 'The Quite Revolution' - early signs of growing numbers of Christians and people exploring faith. Please do get in touch with the team if you would like at shapingfaith24@gmail.com
Transcribe →Easter Resurrection: life after death and freedom after prison
May 2700:48:00Tap to summarizePart two of their interview with former cabinet minister, ex-convict and now anglican priest, The Reverend Jonathan Aitken. George and John introduce the interview and theme of Easter season, before Jonathan reflects on some the light and life that came after and sometimes during, his time in prison and afterwards as a prison chaplain and associate priest in two very different London churches. To get in touch with us, do send us an email at shapingfaith24@gmail.com
Transcribe →The Lenten journey for redemption through prison: Jonathan Aiken interview part 1
Apr 16, 202500:48:16Tap to summarizeIn their episode for Lent and Holy Week this year, Frs George and are in conversation with former cabinet minister and current priest and prison chaplain, the Reverend Jonathan Aitken. The conversation draws how Jonathan's journey from perjury, through prison and to ordination, ties in with the journey through Lent and Holy Week. The team can be contacted at shapingfaith24@gmail.com, for questions for feedback or them to think about.
Transcribe →From the Magi to philosophers: searching for God through evil and suffering
Mar 4, 202500:48:01Tap to summarizeIn the first episode of 2025, Frs George and John look back at the start of the year, up to the point just before Lent begins. They begin with the Magi and go on to discuss modern philosophers, what helpful debate looks like and how faith helps in the face of suffering and the probelm of evil. Do get in touch with the show at shapingfaith24@gmail.com
Transcribe →Kingdom Season: Connecting with heaven
Nov 19, 202400:53:37Tap to summarizeThis is the final episode of Fr George and Fr John's journey through the church year. They think through Kingdom season, the spirituality of remembering and the hope this season gives us, even if the world seems bitterly divided and tearing chucks out of itself. They are developing plans for a second season in 2025. Do get in touch with the team if you would like to give any feedback, ask a question or even suggest a character for them to explore from the Christmas story, or who is part of epiphany season. Their email address is shapingfaith24@gmail.com
Transcribe →