Human Flourishing

James has extensive experience as a practitioner in various communities together with a continuous and generative engagement in a range university, college, seminary, learning, professional and intellectual audiences. He has been Visiting Professor of Theology, University of Winchester since 2017.

My particular areas of research and writing have been the nature of chaplaincy as theological engagement, healthcare ethics, ageing, dementia, end-of-life care together with theological reflection and reflective practice.

Comment from a participant in a day James led on ‘What is Successful Ageing?’ in April 2023:

I enjoyed the course immensely from beginning to end – the seamless interweaving of knowledge, ideas and research and the linking with belief and faith.

The content was stimulating, challenging, thought provoking and I was greatly appreciative of the contributions and questions from other participants, your considered and sensitive responses and integration with your presentations.

Thank you!

Prior to becoming Principal of Sarum College in 2015, he was Canon of Windsor (2009 – 2015).

‘Mentoring is a social relationship one person shares with others so they flourish with well-being and success.’

— Walter Brueggemann

Sarum offers residential packages in our historic buildings steps away from Salisbury Cathedral where people have been reflecting and studying theology since the first ordinands arrived in 1861.

We invite you to personalise your stay to suit your needs. Choose from a menu of options to find what you need to be nourished personal and professionally, whether it’s a study break with use of the library, time with a mentor or a retreat including spiritual directions sessions.

We work with groups and organisations to design bespoke programmes.

Clients include the United Reformed Church which took the decision in 2020 to implement pastoral supervision for all active Ministers of Word and Sacraments and Church Related Community Workers to encourage reflection about boundaries and practice, create a safe space to consider difficult issues and ultimately help and support their ministry.

We also provide sabbatical preparation packages for the Diocese of Rochester which refers clergy to Sarum as part of their support of clergy going on Extended Ministerial Development Leave.

As an expert in aging, dementia and end of life issues, James also delivers training and lectures widely on these topics.

It was clear from the group’s response through the day that they were ‘thirsty’ for this and recognised the wisdom you bring, both from your academic work but also personal and pastoral experiences alongside people with dementia. … Thank you too for the elements of humour, which seasoned the day and were appreciated by the group!

– Julia Burton-Jones, Dementia Specialist Project Officer for the Diocese of Rochester

Sarum College has the privilege of partnering with organisations enrich our programmes and extend our learning offer. One such partner is GoHealth whose mission is:

• Promoting the church as a hub for health and healing.
• Learning from one another about how to promote human flourishing
• Creating networks of people who are passionate in linking faith and health
• Helping people to connect with the church as a hub for wellbeing
• Praying for all who are suffering
• Researching healing from an academic viewpoint

Visit GoHealth

Sophie Hacker has artwork in public and private collections across the UK and abroad. Her current projects focus on stained glass, collaborations with musicians and poets and numerous ecclesiastical commissions.

Rachel Mann is Rector of St Nicholas, Burnage and Area Dean of Withington. Author of nine books, her research and writing interests include poetry, literature and spirituality, as well as trauma, gender and sexuality. She is a Visiting Teaching Fellow at the Manchester Writing School, Manchester Met University.

Mark Oakley is Dean of Chapel at St John’s College, Cambridge. He writes and broadcasts on poetry, spirituality and human rights. He is a trustee of the Civil Liberties Trust, an Ambassador for Stop Hate UK, and a Visiting Lecturer at Kings College, London.

Mark Pryce is Director of Ministry for Church of England Birmingham, and Chaplain to Her Majesty The Queen. A published poet and practical theologian, Mark’s work contributes to the vital place of poetry in Christian spirituality, liturgy and public theology, gender studies and ethnographic research.

The Revd Dr Gillian Straine is the Director of the Guild of Health and St Raphael, an ecumenical charity dedicated to the healing ministry. An Anglican priest and physicist, her books include Introducing Science and Religion (SPCK, 2014) and Cancer: A Pilgrim Companion (SPCK, 2017). She is trustee of the Christian Evidence Society, The Science and Religion forum and elected fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion.

Alison Webster is a freelance practical and mission theologian, who offers spiritual accompaniment. Alison is an experienced group and workshop facilitator, with a particular passion for using the arts to encourage personal and social transformation. She has worked on issues of social justice, community organising and social action within an Anglican context for many years, and is of Methodist heritage. Her writing and reflections have focused on issues of sexuality, wellbeing, and identity. She has published four books, most recently, ‘Found Out: Transgressive Faith and Sexuality’ (DLT 2017), along with numerous articles and resource books. She is founder (and now emeritus) editor of two international journals, ‘Theology and Sexuality’, and ‘Political Theology’.