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Menopause and Theology course

While a very common experience, only recently has menopause been discussed more openly. Public discourse around work support, lifestyle strategies and rituals, medication and changing attitudes has increased, and in this new course developed with the Susanna Wesley Foundation we bring theology into the mix.

We will explore different theological lenses and creative metaphors that may help us with theological thinking around menopause, balancing sense-making with acceptance of mystery, and drawing on theological literature and research. We’ll consider menopause holistically in the wider context of mid-life with its transitions, as well as other intersectional issues.

We will also explore innovatively how menopause can ‘speak back’ helpfully into theology, with its metaphors and embodied experience of uncertainty, change, power, anger, lament and more.

This won’t be a support group but it will be an interactive course that helps us think theologically and practically about how to support ourselves and each other around menopause in our faith communities.

About the tutor
Dr Emma Pavey has worked for the Susanna Wesley Foundation based at Southlands College, University of Roehampton since 2017, undertaking research, designing resources, and planning and facilitating workshops, seminars and conferences, as well as hosting the SWF podcast series. She holds a PhD in linguistics, a ThM in theology, postgraduate qualifications in restorative justice and adult education, and has an 900-day streak on Duolingo. She previously lectured in theology and linguistics – not (yet) together – in various colleges and universities in the UK, US and Canada. She has published on the topic of menopause and is engaging in action research to explore the lived theology of menopause.

Book Event

Early bird online ticket #2558 £35

This is a discounted early bird ticket offering the course for £35.00 rather than the normal £40.00. This offer expires 60 days prior to the event and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount. This course will be held online via zoom.

Available Tickets: 23

The Early bird online ticket #2558 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Online ticket #2558 £40

This online course is delivered via zoom

Available Tickets: 10

The Online ticket #2558 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Details

Dates & Times

26 Feb 2025

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Course code

2558

Other Notes

This online half-day course is delivered via Zoom

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What our students say

PhD Research Programmes

Visual Artist Claire Reed

The complex and sometimes fractious relationship between contemporary art and religion has intrigued me throughout my art career, informing my direction as an artist. It has led me to work in sacred spaces with their immediate and wider communities, to study an MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture at Sarum College, and recently to become artist–researcher at Leo Baeck College of Jewish scholarship and learning.

My aim is to examine the extent to which this creative approach might generate fruitful inter-religious theological insights within a Jewish and Christian ministry training context.

Sarum College combines an open-minded embrace of the imagination and the arts with a supportive, questioning and diverse community. Crucially for me, the Sarum-Winchester PhD programme is one of the very few UK university programmes to offer a hybrid thesis in art and theology in which the creative process and resulting art output along with a written critical component are presented for examination.

This PhD research is a key part of my development as an artist engaged with theology and inter-religious dialogue.

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Stimulating and Challenging

What is Successful Ageing? led by James Woodward

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!

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

The Road Not Taken

Sarum Graduate Mike Truman

January 2022

Five years ago, I told my Warden of Readers that I would not be renewing my licence when it expired in 2019, as I thought my faith was becoming too unorthodox for a Church of England licensed lay minister. As someone who knew me well, she challenged me to actively explore what I did still believe. Thus started the journey that ended last August with the dissertation completing my MA in Theology Imagination and Culture (MATIC) at Sarum College.

Clergy Study Breaks

The opportunity for clergy to get away occasionally from their own context, to have an overnight stay in the beautiful setting of Sarum College and all that the Salisbury Cathedral Close offers is hugely valuable. All the clergy I have suggested who have spent 24hrs at Sarum College have benefit greatly from the experienced mentoring where they can talk, reflect, think, plan and pray.

The support and encouragement they receive is excellent and has a positive on their on going ministry. This is something the Diocese of Rochester encourages and supports financially in preparation for their clergy preparing for Extended Ministerial Development Leave (Sabbatical).

— Canon Christopher Dench, Diocese of Rochester Director of Formation and Ministry

Retreats and Private Stays

When I arrived, exhausted and sensitive, I was grateful not to be asked by Reception were I came from, whether I had had a good journey etc. That was the kind of hospitality I needed: a non-intrusive welcome that was found in ancient cultures and still survives in some societies today, where the host asks questions about a stranger and his journey only when the visitor has rested and been given food and drink.

— guest on a private stay

Biblical Study Breaks

I just found it very refreshing – as a leader of a church I don’t get as many opportunities to step out and do courses (my fault, not the church!) and so I loved it. I think it was run really well online – which is a difficult medium to work with.

Pádraig Ó Tuama (pictured) was outstanding in his balance of getting us to engage and sharing his learning. Also the quick availability of resources provided by Sarum College Librarian Jayne Downey was excellent.

— course participant, Story Theology: Narrative Approaches to Scripture

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Menopause and Theology