The Institute
Westminster Abbey Institute aims to nurture and revitalise moral and spiritual values in public life and service. It seeks to replenish and sustain public servants of all faiths and none, and to celebrate and animate public service as a force for good. The Institute draws on Westminster Abbey’s resources of spirituality and theological learning, rooted in its daily worshipping life and broader Christian tradition, to convene discussion, nourish reflection and inspire regeneration.
Upcoming events
Autumn 2023: Dignity and Public Service
A season of events exploring how public service can preserve, protect and enable one of the most fundamental aspects of humanity: dignity.
Public programmes
Our twice-yearly themed programmes focus on issues related to morality in public life. These lectures, dialogues and symposia are open to the public, but priority is given to public servants.
The rough trade of politics
In October 2021, Westminster Abbey welcomed Parliamentarians to St Margaret’s Church as we mourned the tragic death of Sir David Amess MP. We joined our voice with so many others, echoing the call for a renewed courtesy in public life, and the need for a different conversation that acknowledges our shared humanity.
Letters from Lockdown
The book Letters from Lockdown: Sustaining public service values during the Covid-19 pandemic, with five additional letters from Dr Claire Foster-Gilbert and three reflections written by Detective Chief Superintendent Treena Fleming, Dawn Butler MP and Peter Howitt, Incident Director in the Department of Health and Social Care, is now available.
Public service seminars
We hold tailored seminars with Government Departments, MPs and Peers, Parliamentary Select Committees, and senior staff in other public service institutions. These offer the opportunity to step back and reflect on moral challenges, relationships, values, virtues and other critical aspects of public service.
Fellows' programme
The Institute offers a year-long programme in servant leadership for up to 20 public servants, nominated from Parliament, law, teaching, police, Armed Forces, Civil Service, media, clergy, arts, science, academia and medicine, who are moving into senior roles.
Institute people
Westminster Abbey Institute is run by a Steering Group, consisting of the Canon Theologian as Chair, the Director of the Institute, the Canon Rector of St Margaret’s and the Receiver General. The Director is assisted by a Manager and an Administrator. The Institute is advised by a Council of Reference chaired by the Dean of Westminster.
Join Institute mailing list
If you want to receive updates about our upcoming public programmes, sign up for our mailing list.
