The Archbishop Blanch Memorial Lecture Charity was founded as a tribute to Stuart Blanch, beloved former Bishop of Liverpool and Archbishop of York.
Stuart became Bishop of Liverpool in 1966 and quickly captured the hearts and minds of clergy and laity in the diocese and is still fondly remembered. Nine years later he left us, on his appointment as Archbishop of York. He retired in 1983 and died in 1994. There were well-attended Memorial Services in both York and Liverpool. After some months, thought was being given to a suitable more lasting memorial. Thus was born the annual lecture which bears his name.
The first trustees were all clergy who had served in Liverpool when Stuart Blanch was our Bishop, and who wanted his legacy to be like the man – offering clear exposition of both the Old and New Testaments, and relating the text of Scripture to current issues.
The 2013 Lecture was delivered by The Revd Dr Samuel Wells and was entitled What's Wrong with Poverty?
The Revd Dr Samuel Wells is the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
Sam has served as a parish priest for 15 years – 10 of those in urban priority areas. He also spent 7 years in North Carolina where he was Dean of Duke University Chapel.
Sam is also Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King’s College, London, and a non-residential theological canon at Chichester Cathedral. He has published 17 books, including works on Christian ethics and collections of sermons.
His books include ‘What Anglicans Believe’, ‘Introducing Christian Ethics’ and ‘Be Not Afraid: Facing Fear with Faith’. He has two books being published later this year: ‘Crafting Prayers for Public Worship: The Art of Intercession’ and ‘Learning to Dream Again’.
