Sarum College is an ecumenical study and research centre with an international reputation for excellence in theological education and spiritual reflection.
Sarum College offers a distinguished location for meetings, conferences, events and functions with full catering services.
Sarum College Bookshop is Salisbury's most established independent Christian and theological bookshop.
The Sarum College Library has an outstanding academic theological collection of more than 40,000 books covering all denominations.
Meet the Academic Staff
Jon MorganCoordinator of the Centre for Theology, Imagination and Culture Read more
Karen O’DonnellCoordinator, Centre for Contemporary Spirituality Read more
Ann PhilpChaplain, Centre for Formation in Ministry Read more
All academic staff
October 2019
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 5: History, Myth and Narritive: Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings
Exploring the Bible Exploring Theology’s year 2019-20 is subtitled Encountering the Bible, and focuses on gaining tools and understanding for rigorous, imaginative, faithful and fruitful encounter with the Scriptures. The Autumn Term explores the Hebrew Scriptures known to Christians as the Old Testament, then the Spring Term explores the New Testament. These two terms cover (almost) the whole of the Bible, with selected attention to especially significant themes and passages. The Summer Term then explores further how Christians might live… Read more
Interim Ministry and Vacancies
This seminar explores the latest ideas around Interim Ministry (IM, or Transitional Ministry) and how they can inform, and be informed by, the broader field of filling vacancies. We investigate how conversations can be used both as research methods and as a practical way of effecting change. With thanks to the generous support of the Interim Ministry Network for the reduced course fee. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Reading Fiction as a Spiritual Practice
William Blake called the Old and New Testaments ‘The Great Code of Western Art’ and we see it over and over again in great works of fiction. In this course, we will explore the symbols at play in three novels in profound conversation with the Bible: · To Kill a Mockingbird on Mon, 28 October 2019 · Jane Eyre on Tues, 29 October 2019 and · The Life of Pi Wed, 30 October 2019 Book one… Read more
Theologising Brexit by Anthony Reddie
Days before the Brexit deadline, Reddie will discuss his comprehensive analysis of the theological challenge presented by the new post-Brexit epoch. Reddie is an Extraordinary Professor of Theological Ethics at the University of South Africa and a Fellow of Wesley House, in Cambridge, UK. Free but booking is required. Refreshments will be served. To book phone 01722 326899 or email bookshop@sarum.ac.uk Read more
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 6: Memory of Days Past and Vision of the Days to Come: Isaiah and Jeremiah
Exploring the Bible Exploring Theology’s year 2019-20 is subtitled Encountering the Bible, and focuses on gaining tools and understanding for rigorous, imaginative, faithful and fruitful encounter with the Scriptures. The Autumn Term explores the Hebrew Scriptures known to Christians as the Old Testament, then the Spring Term explores the New Testament. These two terms cover (almost) the whole of the Bible, with selected attention to especially significant themes and passages. The Summer Term then explores further how Christians might live… Read more
Sense and Stigma in the Gospels: Depictions of Sensory-Disabled Characters
The senses are used within New Testament texts as instruments of knowledge and power and thus constitute important mediators of cultural knowledge and experience. Likewise, those instances where sensory faculty is perceived to be ‘disabled’ in some way also become key sites for ideological commentary and critique. However, often biblical scholarship, itself ‘disabled’ by eye-centric and text-centric ‘norms’, has read sensory-disabled characters as nothing more than inert sites of healing; their agency, including their alternative sensory modes of communication and… Read more
Resourcing a Good Advent
An enjoyable and informative afternoon to prepare you for Advent! Bring a group from your Church for some Advent course inspiration. James Woodward, Principal of Sarum College, will review the best of the new books and Advent courses this year. Author Rachel Mann will also be launching her new book In the Bleak Midwinter. Rachel is an Anglican Priest, poet, writer and broadcaster based in South Manchester. Her book Fierce Imaginings has been shortlisted for the 2019 Michael Ramsey Prize. Thursday,… Read more
November 2019
Lunchtime Concert: Musicke in the Ayre
Lunchtime Concerts are held in the College’s Butterfield Chapel and are followed by a light buffet lunch (included in ticket price). Each concert starts at 12.45pm and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Subscription tickets are priced at £60. Individual concert tickets (subject to availability) are £12 per concert. Musicke in the Ayre Lute songs associated with Salisbury and poets in the Wilton Circle of Mary Herbert. Artists: Din Ghani, lute; Gillian Wormley, soprano. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826… Read more
Book Launch: A Skilfully Woven Knot by Michael Mayne
Join Sarum College Bookshop for the launch of A Skilfully Woven Knot, the latest book based on the previously unpublished writings and lectures of the late Michael Mayne. The book is edited by Dr Joel Huffstetler, a leading scholar of Michael Mayne’s work. Joel will talk about his work in putting together this and the other two books of the recent trilogy. Free and Open to all, but booking is required. Refreshments will be served. To book phone 01722 326899… Read more
Love is Listening: Responding to People with Dementia
Is loneliness an inevitable ‘stage’ of dementia? This day explores how the stories we live by enable or disable us to maintain emotionally meaningful relationships with persons with dementia, including those deemed to be beyond meaningful reach. When people with dementia can’t keep up with the normal flow of conversation, emotional isolation often ensues. But is loneliness an inevitable “stage” of dementia? Michael Verde, the founder of Memory Bridge (memorybridge.org), explores how the stories we live by enable or disable… Read more
Biblical Study Break: Digging into Isaiah 40-66
These courses offer a sustained study of a single biblical book or biblical topic led by emerging and eminent scholars who bring fresh perspectives to the study of scripture. For more information surrounding the Biblical Study Breaks in general, check page 38 of our Programme. This course will offer the opportunity to read all the text of these 27 lyrical, carefully-edited chapters, which are much-quoted in the New Testament. We will look at the famous Servant Songs, and consider the… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 7: Performance and Prophecy: Ezekiel, Daniel and the 12 Minor Prophets
Exploring the Bible Exploring Theology’s year 2019-20 is subtitled Encountering the Bible, and focuses on gaining tools and understanding for rigorous, imaginative, faithful and fruitful encounter with the Scriptures. The Autumn Term explores the Hebrew Scriptures known to Christians as the Old Testament, then the Spring Term explores the New Testament. These two terms cover (almost) the whole of the Bible, with selected attention to especially significant themes and passages. The Summer Term then explores further how Christians might live… Read more
Home by Another Route: Reimagining Today’s Church
What might the identity and mission of the church be in a post-Christian context? The day will explore the future nature of the church, its leadership and mission though the lenses of story, literature and theology of the biblical exile. The exile was a crisis in the life of the people of God, and a yet a period which elicited huge theological and practical reimagination. The exile provides a rich metaphorical story to explore our own sense of identity and… Read more
Sing Gregorian Chant
This day offers the chance to experience and sing Gregorian chant in a friendly context. An entertaining, informative and enjoyable experience structured around the monastic hour services. The theology of Gregorian chant is explored through singing it, for those with theological, historical or musical interests. Singing experience is welcome, but not necessary for the course. There will be a chance to sing a short service in the Trinity Chapel at Salisbury Cathedral. Using at first simple recitation in English, it… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 8: Worship and the Temple: Psalms
Exploring the Bible Exploring Theology’s year 2019-20 is subtitled Encountering the Bible, and focuses on gaining tools and understanding for rigorous, imaginative, faithful and fruitful encounter with the Scriptures. The Autumn Term explores the Hebrew Scriptures known to Christians as the Old Testament, then the Spring Term explores the New Testament. These two terms cover (almost) the whole of the Bible, with selected attention to especially significant themes and passages. The Summer Term then explores further how Christians might live… Read more
Leading by Story
We tell stories; we live in stories; we lead by story. Jesus told stories, and congregations invite others (or not) to join their story. The social sciences have taken a ‘narrative turn’ which offers new ways for thinking about how we work together. We will spend time telling and retelling our stories, and thinking about how we can make stories more attractive and more memorable. How do we invite people to join the story of the church? How do we… Read more
Can There Be a Theology of Art? What Would it Look Like?
This day will look at several theologians who have written about art, and develop some of their more fruitful lines of enquiry. At the heart of the day, we will be seeking to use Trinitarian theology as a way of gaining critical insight into the evident spirituality of many works of modern as well as more traditional art. Through looking at a wide range of works of art, the aim will be to respond to the challenge of finding a… Read more
An Evening of Encountering the Bible
With Stephen Need and Helen Paynter Join us for an evening to showcase this year’s expanded biblical offerings at Sarum College’s Centre for Encountering the Bible, with an overview of the upcoming Biblical Study Breaks, Exploring Theology programme and Reading Scripture Together days. The evening will feature two book launches: Stephen Need’s Following Jesus in the Holy Land: Pathways of Discipleship through Advent and Lent Helen Paynter’s God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? Wrestling Honestly with the Old Testament The evening is… Read more
Music in Worship Day: Inspiring Music in Worship – Engaging with the Rural Church
In rural areas, clergy oversee worship in multiple churches for small village congregations stretching over considerable geographical areas. This can produce unique opportunities for lay leaders and musicians to work with clergy, exploring innovative ways to worship both inside and outside the church buildings. Published by the Royal School of Church Music and Praxis, the Inspiring Music in Worship series enables creative conversations, fosters collaborative ways of working and nurtures respect and trust. Earthed in real church case studies, this… Read more
Poetry and the Psalms
From the time of Wyatt and the Sidneys, the Psalms have been at the heart of English poetry. This day will explore these ancient texts as transplanted in the work of Herbert and Vaughan as well as their later flourishing in poetry from the 18th century to the present day. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Sarum College 2019-20 Courses and Events Brochure
