The Sea, Theology and Spirituality – The Sea, Ecological Crisis and Mission course

71% of the Earth’s surface is ocean, and many communities in the UK and across the globe are coastal and depend on the sea for income. For many living on islands, the sea is part of the warp and weft of life. Some work at sea on commercial trade or military vessels. Even for those among us who do not seem to have much connection with the sea, we are becoming increasingly aware that the health of our planet is intrinsically connected to the biodiversity and health of our oceans—currently both under devastating threats. The sea—and water more generally—played a vital role in the lives of the early followers of Jesus, with Jesus calling fishermen to be his disciples and the Sea of Galilee playing a crucial part in the regional economy.

This series aims to offers some theological lenses on the sea, to help participants reflect on the important role that the sea plays in faith, spiritual practices and ministry and mission. It will also offer participants an opportunity to expand their imagination in relation to the sea and the creatures that live within it, as well as to rethink their relationship with oceans that variously represent life, chaos and danger. Speakers are drawn from different parts of the globe—offering crucial international perspectives on the sea—and there will be opportunity for participants to ask questions and share from their own experience.

We hope that this series will start to build a learning community around the sea, church and theology.

In this final session, Elia Maggang will explore models of mission and ministry in coastal areas in contexts where the sea is increasingly experiencing ecological devastation, habitat threat and destruction, and rising levels. Rethinking the ministry of diakonia to encompass the revitalization of indigenous traditions of fishing, coral reef transplantation and mangrove plantation is one of those models to be discussed. This session will also cover conversations on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by coastal ministries.

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Details

Dates & Times

02 Dec 2024

Expired!

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Course code

2534

Other Notes

This session is part of an online series delivered via Zoom.

A three-part series of online webinars.

Each session is £20; or, book all three for £50.

The first session begins on 21 October 2024. To book the whole series, please visit the booking page for the first date in the series, 21 October.

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

The Sea, Theology and Spirituality – The Sea, Ecological Crisis and Mission

The Sea, Theology and Spirituality – The Sea, Ecological Crisis and Mission course