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
Sonia WoolleyScholar in Residence Read more
James StevenAcademic Dean and Coordinator for the Centre for Liturgy and Worship Read more
Tim HarleCoordinator for the Centre for Leadership Learning Read more
All academic staff
August 2019
Greek in a Week 2019: Learning to Read the New Testament in Greek
The New Testament is both a very familiar, and at the same time, a very strange text. Distant from today’s English, both linguistically and culturally, the poetry and prose of the original texts speak of long vanished Empires, the abuse of power and the plight of the poor and disadvantaged. To encounter the text in its original language is to step into a world of priests and kings, wandering rabbis and provincial governors. An earlier time when the rich and… Read more
September 2019
An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew 2019: Hebrew I
Reading the Old Testament in Hebrew provides a much stronger sense of the original culture and perspective of its writers and their communities. Such insights can help us to appreciate better not only the Old Testament text but also its pivotal role as ‘scripture’ for the 1st century Jewish communities from which the New Testament and the early church emerged. Hebrew I (Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 September) and Hebrew II (Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 September, details here) together… Read more
An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew 2019: Hebrew II
Reading the Old Testament in Hebrew provides a much stronger sense of the original culture and perspective of its writers and their communities. Such insights can help us to appreciate better not only the Old Testament text but also its pivotal role as ‘scripture’ for the 1st century Jewish communities from which the New Testament and the early church emerged. Hebrew I (Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 September, details here) and Hebrew II (Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 September) together… Read more
Francis and the Sultan
This conference will explore the meeting in 1219 during the Fifth Crusade of St Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil, as inspiration for Christian-Muslim dialogue today. The event is offered in partnership with the Third Order of the Society of St Francis (TSSF). Workshops include A Tale of Two movements: A comparison of The Third Order, SSF and Tablighi Jama’at (Andrew Todd & Riyaz Timol) Enabling an interfaith walk (Leonie Northcote) A local interfaith group using the way of counsel (Stephen and Mary… Read more
Church of Sanctuary Conference
What does it mean to be a ‘church of sanctuary’? This conference will explore the theology of sanctuary by looking at the biblical, historical, and ecclesiastical foundations of the practice of hospitality and the provision of refuge. Read more
Art Exhibition: Experiencing Landscape
Joy Hillyer’s paintings aim to convey a sense of place, of placement and exploration within the landscape. She is concerned with the ambiguity of the liminal: the juxtaposition of the real and the imagined; the interplay between essence and symbol, between light and darkness; the ephemeral and the enduring. Her work often uses her photographs as a starting point or as the ‘outer shell’ for her painting. These may be of the natural world or the built landscape, or the… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 1: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Scripture
Exploring the Bible Exploring Theology’s year 2019-20 is subtitled Encountering the Bible and focuses on gaining tools and understanding for a 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… Read more
Pastoral Liturgy Day: Finding Our Voice in Advent
The season of Advent is experienced as a paradox. Its themes of waiting and longing are competing with the powerful commercial pressures that accelerate the arrival of Christmas. Yet it has unparalleled opportunities: it marks the time when many people in our local communities make their annual visit to church. The day will explore the range of liturgical opportunities for marking the season of Advent. We will consider how the spiritual themes of Advent can connect with our hopes and… Read more
Foundations and Forms of Christian Spirituality
This module will introduce students to the nature of Spirituality in the Christian tradition until the end of the eighteenth century. It will look at several spiritual traditions within Christianity and enable students to place them in their historical and philosophical contexts. Students will become aware of the problems we face in matters of interpretation when dealing with classical spiritual texts and will be encouraged to apply a range of interpretative methods to the texts they are introduced to. Those… Read more
Christian Faith and Leadership
The module explores and analyses ways in which theology and spirituality underpin and challenge an understanding of leadership within and outside faith-based contexts. It encourages critical reflection on how leadership and management within the changing nature of contemporary society can be informed by insights from spiritual and theological traditions, especially Christianity, and be related to a theological view of faith, vocation, the Church and its mission. Participants are encouraged to become confident in handling disciplines and methodologies that can inform… Read more
October 2019
Rural Mission and Ministry Day: Working Well With Children, Young People and Families in Rural Areas
A practical course to help you reflect on the blessings and challenges of ministry among children, young people and families in the countryside. We will learn and laugh together as we gain fresh insights and new ideas for this ministry. Expect to be enthused afresh by the end of the day! Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 2: Origin Stories: Genesis
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
Lunchtime Concert: Diana Brekalo
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. Diana Brekalo The life of Clara Schumann. The programme includes music by Robert and Clara Schumann. Artist: Diana Brekalo, Piano Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722… Read more
Sarum Singing Break 2019
For anyone who enjoys singing liturgical church music. During this weekend we will rehearse and sing services in Sarum College Chapel and Salisbury Cathedral. The repertoire will cover music from Tudor times to present-day compositions. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Approaches to Liturgical Studies
This module will introduce students to the sources and methods used by scholars in the evaluation and interpretation of liturgical forms. These include those used for historical, theological and ritual analysis. It will equip students with skills in the critical evaluation of various sources and create awareness of the presuppositions which lie behind much liturgical scholarship. An introduction to the sources and methods used by liturgical scholars in the evaluation of liturgical history and contemporary worship events. This (core) postgraduate… Read more
Theology and Human Culture
Engage with the ‘texts’ and practices of human culture and explore the nature of the relationship between theology and culture through creative and critical perspectives. Students will be given the opportunity to refine and update their knowledge of theologians and key theological debates as they relate to human culture, show how central themes in theology are expressed through different forms of culture in history and today, and be given the opportunity to critically reflect on human culture through a variety… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 1: Week 3: Captivity and Liberation: Genesis and Exodus
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
Reflective Journalling
Sometimes living can feel like we are standing in a fast-flowing river. There is so much going on. It can be difficult to hold our balance and see how the various dimensions of our lives fit together. This day will offer an opportunity to explore how journalling might help us to reflect on the shape of our living in the context of our work and world. We should try to capture elements of experience, and explore how we think about what… Read more
Chaplaincy and Criminal Justice
Explore the particular challenges and opportunities for chaplains developing ministries and/or serving in the police, prisons and courts. With a specific focus on the themes of crime and punishment, we will address an overarching question: How do we develop compassionate responses to damaged and damaging people? The day will include: – an informal discussion on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Crime & Punishment – a participative interview with Martyn Cook who coordinates chaplaincy services as Swindon Law Courts – an exploration of… Read more
Sarum Symposium 2019
The Sarum Symposium is an exciting new direction for the annual Sarum lectures. Each year we bring together a panel to discuss truth and narrative from diverse perspectives. This year the theme will be death. In association with the Salisbury Literary Festival Please register your interest by emailing info@sarum.ac.uk 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
