Episcopal priest H. Frederick Gough, Vicar of St. Barnabas’ Dillon, S.C. and Anglican priest Donald R. Hayes, Vicar of Christ Church Calabash, N.C. and Rector of St. Patrick Church, Murrells Inlet, S.C. recently returned from Oxford, England where they spent eight days studying “Christianity in the 21st Century at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University.
They were part of an eleven member class from across the United States who participated in The American Study Program of Oxford. Classes were led by Professors and Fellows who included The Venerable Christopher Heweton of Trinity College, Dr. Ian Boxal and Bishop Michael Nazie-Ali of Oxford Universities. In addition, The Rev. Cannon Dr. Vincent Strudwick of Chirst Church College, Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In addition, The Rev. Cannon Dr. Vincent Strudwick of Christ Church College, Oxford led the instruction.
Fr. Gough and Fr. Hayes are shown in an arch off Queens Lane that leads past the porter’s office into the quadrangle or center of the college. St. Edmund Hall is one of the oldest colleges founded in 1262 that comprise the thirty-nine colleges that make up Oxford University. Both priests said they gained tools needed to better understand the challenges faced by modern Christianity. Their experience that will last a lifetime and their hope is that the fruits from the training will be used to improve our churches and parishes.