Program Highlights

Oxbridge 2005 is a two-week conference, spanning one week in Oxford (July 24–30) and one week in Cambridge (July 31–August 6). Tuition includes admission to all conference plenary sessions, all afternoon seminars and workshops, and all special events.

Each week offers its own unique flavor, set in the lovely medieval university cities of Oxford and Cambridge-Oxford, with its dreaming spires and bustling city life, and Cambridge, with its rolling hills and quiet pastoral setting. While most conference registrants typically feast on both weeks of this triennial conference, we understand that some cannot afford the time and/or the financial commitment for both weeks and must therefore choose between the two. To make this decision easier, the weekly highlights—including speakers, workshops, and events—have been listed below.

Oxford

The mainstay of the entire conference consists of daily all-morning sessions. Each morning session begins with a half-hour of worship, highlighted by brief meditations given by Ben Patterson, Kallistos Ware, and David Dockery, followed by two plenary lectures addressing the theme from a variety of perspectives (e.g., literary, philosophical, theological, scientific, the arts, etc.). Those attending the Oxford week will enjoy plenary addresses from:

Afternoon breakout sessions include seminars on such special topics as C.S. Lewis, the Inklings, contemplative prayer, peacemaking and reconciliation, the Christian scholar in the secular academy, the Oxford libraries, medical and business ethics, social justice, cultural apologetics, science and theology, philosophy, architecture, and art history, to name but a few, plus workshops in creative writing, theatre, dance, choral singing, and sketching. Those attending both weeks may apply for participation in the Oxbridge 2005 Choral Institute.

Special events include a one-man performance of C.S. Lewis on Stage by Tom Key, a symphonic presentation by the esteemed Oxford City Orchestra, a dramatic reading of C.S. Lewis' sermon "The Weight of Glory" by Joss Ackland, a re-enactment of the famous Lewis-Anscombe philosophical debate on miracles, and an evening choral concert in the Sheldonian Theatre. Each evening in Oxford affords opportunities for informal fellowship at our late-night “Bag End Café” gatherings.

The Oxford week also includes a mid-week “free day” during which time registrants may opt to participate in guided day-trips (for an additional nominal fee) to Warwick Castle & The Cotswolds, or to Stratford-upon-Avon, or venture out on their own into the city for self-guided Inklings tours, punting adventures on the Cherwell River, explorations of the Oxford gardens, colleges, and museums, a tour of Blenheim Palace, or an evening with Shakespeare in the park.

Cambridge

Alternatively, those attending Cambridge will enjoy morning worship and meditations given by Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward, among others, with plenary addresses by:

The afternoon breakout sessions will, as in Oxford, address a wide array of special topics through both seminars and workshops.

Special events include a service of evensong at Ely Cathedral, the film premier of C.S. Lewis: The Man Who Created Narnia, performances by Riding Lights Theatre Company, Mellstock Country Band, and Springs Dance Company, an evening of traditional English country dance at Chilford Hall, a closing service of dedication with Eucharist at Kings College Chapel, and a farewell reception at the beautiful Kings College. Each evening in Cambridge also affords opportunities for informal fellowship at our late-night “Bag End Café” gatherings.