St Albans Cathedral offers an exciting opportunity to use a love of football as a starting point for exploring faith.

Do you ever wonder whether the Hand of God is at work in moments other than Maradona’s famous goal in the 1986 World Cup? Could there be anyone with a better record for ‘saving’ than Gianluigi Buffon? Was Bobby Moore the ultimate foundation stone?

St Albans Cathedral has chosen to mark the FIFA World Cup in an unusual way this summer, by using the nation’s love of football as a starting point for exploring questions of faith. Refereeing this fun and engaging evening is seasoned pro Stephen Poxon, writer and avid football enthusiast, who will be drawing on his latest work-in-progress, Faith and Football, to open up discussion on both topics.

All are welcome to come and join the starting line up for what promises to be a barnstorming finish in this exciting evening which combines enthusiasm for The Beautiful Game with the opportunity to explore The Beauty of Holiness.

The event will kick off in the Deanery at St Albans Cathedral at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 14.

Sports-themed events continue at the Cathedral with a Theology and the Tour de France day coming up on Saturday, July 7. During this event you can watch the Grand Depart with other cycling aficionados, and reflect on how theological concepts such as self-sacrifice and pilgrimage are also fundamental to the sport.

Other upcoming events:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Pupils from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts perform an amateur concert version of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, for the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire’s Charity concert.

All proceeds from the concert will be shared between St Albans Cathedral and the Love Herts Appeal at Hertfordshire Community Foundation, which helps vulnerable people across Hertfordshire.

Saturday, May 26, 7.30pm.

Energy for Everyone?

Professor Bill David FRS talks about the challenges of securing future sustainable and affordable energy provision for both the developed and developing worlds. In addition to discussing how his Christian faith is a motivation for stewardship and provision of appropriate resources, he will also explore some of the ethical and moral issues, both positive and negative, associated with a clean, green future for us all.

Thursday, June 7, 7.30pm.

Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, St Albans, AL1 1BY. Details: 01727 890210, mail@stalbanscathedral.org, stalbanscathedral.org