What is Old Age for? course

As human beings we long for a good life which is purposeful and fulfilling. The lifespan is challenged by several factors, some of which we have no control over. This includes the inevitable processes of ageing as we become older adults. While age is inevitable, we do have some choice about how we think about, inhabit and live well in older age.

This day will explore the nature of age in older age. We shall look at some of the blessings and burdens of 3rd and 4th age. In this process we shall be inviting two or three older people to share with us something of their story of ageing. We shall all have an opportunity to think about what our vocation might be as we grow older. What do we want to become? What do we want to do with these years? How do we wish to live well? What kind of legacy might we wish to leave behind?

Our working assumption for the day is the conviction that these years of our lives are good and fruitful. There is adventure and new things to discover about ourselves, our faith and the world around us. Within this context we shall explore the nature of generativity and its possibility for growth and fulfilment as we embrace the richness and complexities of ageing.

The day will be of interest to all of us who are ageing, offering an opportunity to reflect together about vocation. It will also offer those who work with older people an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the nature and practice of pastoral accompaniment with older adults. Facilitators will provide space to reflect about the shape that age is taking in us. It will be a particular interest to those who work with older people and those who are interested in developing their skill in pastoral care.

About the course leaders

Julia Burton-Jones has been working on issues surrounding ageing, dementia and the needs of family carers throughout her working life. She is an author on these themes and an adult educator and has worked with several national charities for older people in development and project management roles.

Her first degree was in Sociology and Social Administration from Bristol University, and she has an MEd in Adult and Continuing Education from Nottingham University. Since 2015 she has worked within the formation and ministry team at Rochester Diocese as Anna Chaplaincy lead and dementia specialist and now works with a team of over 100 Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends in both Rochester and Canterbury Dioceses.

In 2020 Julia took on a part-time post as training and development lead for Anna Chaplaincy at BRF, a Christian charity whose vision is to enable people of all ages to grow in faith and understanding of the Bible and to see more people equipped to exercise their gifts in leadership and ministry.

The Revd Canon Professor James Woodward, Principal of Sarum College, is a practical theologian who specialises in health and healing, old age, theological reflection, and end of life care.

Book Event

Early bird in person ticket #2642 £65

In person early bird discount ticket This is a discounted early bird ticket offering the course for £65 rather than £70. This offer expires 60 days prior to the event and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount. This course will be held onsite at Sarum College and online. The course fee includes lunch and refreshments for those attending in person.

Available Tickets: 9

The Early bird in person ticket #2642 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Early bird in person ticket with B&B the night before #2642 £139

This is a discounted early bird ticket offering the course for £139.00 rather than the normal £144.00. This offer expires 60 days prior to the event and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount. This course will be held onsite at Sarum College. The course fee includes lunch and refreshments. The extra B&B on 1st October 2025 includes accommodation in an en-suite room and breakfast the morning of the course. If the ticket you wish to purchase is showing as not available, please contact me on bclover@sarum.ac.uk, as we may be able to accommodate your request.

Available Tickets: 3

The Early bird in person ticket with B&B the night before #2642 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

In person ticket #2642 £70

This course will be held onsite at Sarum College. The course fee includes lunch and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 30

The In person ticket #2642 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

In person ticket with B&B the night before #2642 £144

This course will be held onsite at Sarum College. The course fee includes lunch and refreshments. The extra B&B on 1st October 2025 includes accommodation in an en-suite room and breakfast the morning of the course. If the ticket you wish to purchase is showing as not available, please contact me on bclover@sarum.ac.uk, as we may be able to accommodate your request.

Available Tickets: 2

The In person ticket with B&B the night before #2642 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Details

Dates & Times

02 Oct 2025

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tutor(s)

The Revd Canon Professor James Woodward

Course code

2642

Other Notes

This is an onsite course delivered at Sarum College.

Book this course

What our students say

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

What is Old Age for?