As a self-confessed ‘compulsive student’, Nigel Gibbons says it was the ‘imagination’ aspect of the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, as well as the combination of academic rigour in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, that made him decide to do another academic qualification.
“The programme has such credibility, realness and genuine openness,” he says. “And it’s important to me that Sarum fits my faith and where I am theologically.”
A counsellor who teaches on an MSC in creative writing for therapeutic purposes, Nigel runs writing groups for The Compassionate Friends, the national charity for bereaved parents.
In his work for them, he also leads workshops for parents whose children have died of addiction or suicide.
“I encourage people to listen to their inner self, so the writing is often very raw,” he says.
The junctures on Nigel’s path to this stage of his career have included long stints as a producer of religious programmes for Central Television Midlands, as a full-time father, and now as a counsellor and spiritual director alongside the creative writing workshops he leads.
He first came to Sarum in 2017 for a retreat, thought the MA programmes sounded interesting, but it was more than four years later when that interest turned into a decision.
“I came back to Sarum for a retreat during a painful breakup and picked up a flyer about the MA programmes,” he explains. “Later, while walking up to Old Sarum to clear my head, the flyer was still in my head so I knew it was important.”
He took the plunge and began the MA programme in early 2023.
He also began the course in Spiritual Direction at Sarum. Though his counselling work isn’t specifically Christian, he wanted to develop his skills from a spiritual perspective to better serve Christians, and those of other faiths, who seek him out wanting to explore their spiritual questions and challenges.
His experience as a student at Sarum has led to important personal insights, he says.
“I have always felt permission to contribute, he explains. “As an introvert, I am usually quiet but I feel allowed to be vulnerable, to say what is on my mind at Sarum.
“Studying on the MATIC programme has enabled my faith to be grounded in daily life, to be developed and cultivated alongside my experiences. It has reminded me of the huge place that imagination and arts have in faith. I feel my faith has more relevance and has been enlivened through my learning here.”
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Nigel Gibbons is a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture run by Sarum College and validated by the University of Winchester. Professor Graeme Smith is the programme leader.
Find out more about postgraduate programmes here by browsing the webpages on the programmes and joining us for a Taster Day online 8 July 2024
Forthcoming modules are:
3 to 6 June 2024
Erotic Desires: Gender, Sexuality and Spirituality (Christian Spirituality Programme)
15 to 18 July 2024
The Handmaid’s Tale: Texts and the Christian Tradition (Run jointly by the two programmes)
9 to 12 September 2024
Inspiration and Imagination: Creative Expressions of the Spiritual Life
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