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
James WoodwardPrincipal and Coordinator for the Centre for Human Flourishing Read more
Jayme ReavesCoordinator, Centre for Encountering the Bible and Short Courses Read more
Karen O’DonnellCoordinator, Centre for Contemporary Spirituality Read more
All academic staff
April 2020
(Cancelled) Confronting the Violence in the Old Testament
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. The Old Testament is full of violence- isn’t it? The God of the Old Testament is vengeful and wrathful- isn’t he? This course will tackle some of the hardest Old Testament texts and ask the question; can we love the Old Testament and believe in the goodness of God. The Flood… the sacrifice of animals… the conquest of Canaan… the rape of the Levite’s concubine… the… Read more
(postponed) Art Exhibition: A Celebration In Stitch
An Art Exhibition by the Machine Embroidery Group at Sarum Monday 20 April to Saturday 23 May 2020 Open Evening 6-8pm, Thursday 23 April 2020 An exhibition of hangings by MEG at Sarum, an art embroidery group that have met quarterly at Sarum College for the past seven years. The exhibition is inspired by the ambience of the buildings and how, we as members of the extended Sarum College community, are enfolded in the ethos, the warmth of hospitality, the… Read more
(Taught Online) Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 1: Christian Interpretation of the Bible
Due to the Coronavirus, this event is being taught online. See our official statement here. 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… Read more
(Cancelled) Ambrose of Milan: Prayer, Preaching and the Pastoral Care in the 4th Century
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. Ambrose is mentioned in passing but not much attention is paid to him in his own right. So what did Ambrose teach and how did he live? What was his role in the emerging church of the fourth century? Why would you come on a study day on Ambrose? Ambrose is mentioned in passing but not much attention is paid to him in his own right.… Read more
(Taught Online) Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 2: Thinking About the Bible Theologically
Due to the Coronavirus, this event is being taught online. See our official statement here. 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… Read more
May 2020
(Cancelled) Spring Silent Retreat
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. Retreat from the busyness of life through gentle liturgy, spiritual reflection practices, and rest. Silent Retreats are a time for you to let go of high expectations of yourself and others. It is not a time to get things done, but a time to rest, reflect, listen, and be at ease. Some may use this time to write, walk, take an extra nap, read, create art,… Read more
(Taught Online) Liturgy and Culture
Due to social distancing measures, this course will be held online. See our official statement here. This module will investigate the relationship between liturgy and its changing cultural contexts. This is a topic that has become increasingly important for churches as they reassess their relationship to society and for liturgical studies as churches and scholars recognise the significance of cultural context for liturgical development. The module will introduce students to different ways of understanding the relationship between culture and liturgy,… Read more
(Cancelled) Music in Worship Day: Hearing the Sacred in Music: Listening as Prayer
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. This course will examine various views of the relationship between music and the listener and how spirituality may enter this experience. It will embrace a variety of styles and contexts, both secular and sacred. It will examine how tone, colour, expressive character, musical construction and value systems relate to spirituality and whether the spirit resides in the music itself or in the relationship between music and… Read more
(Taught Online) Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 3: The Bible as Liturgical Text
Due to the Coronavirus, this event is being taught online. See our official statement here. 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… Read more
(Cancelled) A Kind of Belonging: An Introduction to the Theology of Place
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. This day is an introduction to the Christian theology of place. It particularly relates to the parish system in England. This day has three sessions. We look first at the idea that God is in this place. We introduce a Christian theology of place, including place in scripture and Anglican tradition and an overview of how human and physical geography contribute to our understanding of locality,… Read more
(Cancelled) Just Pay Attention… Appreciating the Poetry of Mary Oliver
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. The late Mary Oliver is one of the most cherished and admired contemporary American poets. Her lucid and uncomplicated poems, inspired by nature and dog-walking in Cape Cod and Florida, the experience of friendship, love and grief, are a balm for the soul in a frenetic culture. ‘…a poet of wisdom and generosity whose vision allows us to look intimately at a world, not of our… Read more
(Cancelled) Biblical Study Break: Biblical Models for Conflict Transformation
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. Jesus said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9). Today the phrase “conflict transformation” has been used to describe the various processes whereby people and nations seek to establish constructive and positive dynamics and institutions in their communities in place of the destruction and sorrow of war and civil strife. Conflict transformation includes the work of confronting evil… Read more
(Taught Online) Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 4: The Bible in Conflict Transformation
Due to the Coronavirus, this event is being taught online. See our official statement here. 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… Read more
(Cancelled) Reading Scripture Together: Tales of Two Cities
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. This conversational one-day course series will re-read selected sacred texts in detail and consider the ways they have been interpreted, both in the written word and in art, and on their relevance and meaning to us today. From Jewish and Christian perspectives, we will delve into two deeply problematic, misused, and misunderstood texts: the tale of the city of Sodom in Genesis 19 and the tale… Read more
(Cancelled) What is Prayer? A Very Theological Approach
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. This study aims to investigate what, theologically speaking, is going on in the Christian practise of prayer. Seeking throughout to integrate doctrinal reflection and contemplative practise, it explores the difference prayer makes and what is going on when Christians pray. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
(Cancelled) Renewing Wellbeing
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. In this course, we will look at simple shared habits and spaces run by churches. Looking at the three core principles of being present, being prayerful and being in partnership with existing mental health services , this course will look at the story of Renew wellbeing , a charity formed to help churches set up wellbeing cafes. With references to the psalms and the gospels Ruth,… Read more
(Taught Online) God, Beauty and the Imagination
Due to the Coronavirus, this course is being taught online. See our official statement here. This course aims to explore how God, beauty and imagination have found expression in art, literature and music and how these themes have been reflected in theology. In so doing the module will provide an introduction to some major art-historical epochs and subjects and examine how artists have engaged with and have rendered Christian dogmas, such as the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the… Read more
(Taught Online) Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 5: Feminist and Womanist Interpretations
Due to the Coronavirus, this event is being taught online. See our official statement here. 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… Read more
(Cancelled) Carmelite Spirituality
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. This day will explore Carmelite Spirituality It will be focusing on the spiritualities of Teresa if Avila and John of the Cross and bringing them into dialogue with the life and work of Edith Stein, a 20th Century Discalced Carmelite nun. Originating on Mount Carmel in the high Middle Ages, the Carmelite order has grown to extend to all corners of the world. In our day… Read more
(Cancelled) Leading in a Second Chair
Due to the Coronavirus, this event has been cancelled. See our official statement here. Leaders are often assumed to be at the top of organisations. Relatively little attention has been paid to those occupying a second chair. The role may be clear, eg deputy head of a school or vice-chair of a board of trustees. But the application in a church context – youth pastor, curate, deacon, Licensed Lay Minister – can raise questions of ecclesiology and approaches to ministry.… Read more
(Taught Online) Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 6: Liberationalist Perspectives
Due to the Coronavirus, this event is being taught online. See our official statement here. 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… Read more
June 2020
Spiritual Direction Conference: Charism, Character and Calling
An opportunity for those engaged in the ministry of spiritual direction. It will allow them to meet and reflect together on issues in spiritual direction. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 7: Post-colonial Interpretations
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
Rural Mission and Ministry day: Missional Listening
We are so accustomed to speaking the gospel to the world, that we are in danger of losing the importance of listening. Learning how we might better understand our rural communities, ask the right questions, and undertake relevant research to read the local context. We will then seek to look at methods to use in our churches to help us theologically reflect on these insights, alongside understanding the signs of ‘good news’ and who else might already be here. We… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 8: Queering the Parables
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
Tell it Slant: Reading the Gospels from the Edges
Emily Dickinson’s poem Tell all the Truth but tell it slant- suggests that truth must be approached from many angles, with time, for it to unfold. This course will approach the gospel texts through many slant angles, allowing the queer, marginal and silenced voices to speak, to hold their own, and to engage in a theological project of truthtelling. Taking well-known narratives from the gospel texts, this course will explore dynamics of power: power in composition, power in reception, power… Read more
Contemporary Christian Spirituality
This module will enable students to critically evaluate relationships between Christian Spirituality and non-Christian spiritualities. Students will be introduced to the important role that Platonic and other philosophical traditions within antiquity played in shaping Christian Spirituality and explore ways in which non-Christian traditions continue to re-shape and challenge classical notions of Christian Spirituality in three contemporary settings. Students will also examine the subjective turn and the challenge presented by New Age and other contrasting spiritualities. The module will also allow students… Read more
Worship, Art and Architecture
The space in which Christian worship takes place is influenced by the culture of the age and place as well as ecclesiology. This module will investigate church buildings and their art in significant historical periods to highlight the way each artefact is the result of a confluence of variables. The theoretical notion of ‘sacred space’ will be explored and students will be encouraged to reflect upon the use of liturgical space in specific contexts. There will be a guided tour… Read more
Personal Development
The module will make a methodological and hermeneutical study of contemporary management strategies for using feedback to develop and evaluate personal development plans in a variety of both faith-based and secular contexts. There will be a critical study of the significance of emotional and spiritual intelligence theories for the development of self-awareness and management of self in a leadership context. The module will provide an opportunity for students to design a feedback mechanism and personal development plan that they can… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 9: The Bible in Film
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
Confronting the Violence in the New Testament
The New Testament has its share of violent texts. Remember Ananias and Sapphira? Or the treatment of the ‘whore of Babylon’ in Revelation? This day will tackle problematic passages, and consider how the New Testament helps us answer some of the persisting Old Testament problems. The smiting of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts… the violation of the ‘whore of Babylon’ in Revelation… the cursing of the fig tree by Jesus. The New Testament isn’t as free of violence as is… Read more
Awakening, Communing, Refiguring: Thomas Merton’s Continuing Ministry
This day begins with a brief overview of Merton’s life-work. We will then focus on ways in which his communicative monasticism engages readers in the everyday struggles to live faithfully and attentively between classical Christian sources, critical social currents and the neighbours we are learning to love. Thomas Merton was a monk and, for those of us who are not, he generates strangely creative tensions as he draws readers into potentially transformative encounter with a world of prophets, psalmody and… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 10: The Bible and Literature
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
July 2020
Embracing Vulnerability
The course will explore themes within the Judeo-Christian tradition. Jennie had two brain haemorrhages as a child and subsequently developed sight-loss, paralysis and epilepsy. She will speak about the way in which the vocation of Christ forged a Way for her to tell her personal story of sickness and health. The course will explore themes within the Judeo-Christian tradition in relation to the human embodied experience, such as exile and exodus; darkness and light; lament and praise; vocation and servanthood.… Read more
Christian Salvation and Ecological Restoration
This two-day course explores the roots of the disconnection between people, creation, creatures, and creator. We also discuss the efforts to establish reconnection in ways that are both spiritually and ecologically restorative. For the early Christians, there was a deep relationship between the human person – body and psyche or soul – and the body of the cosmos and the creatures who dwell within it which is largely lost to us in urban Britain. Modern scientifically informed theologians tend to… Read more
Music in Worship Day: Sing it Again: Taizé and Short Songs in Worship
An opportunity to explore, through teaching and practise, how short songs can enrich all kinds of worship. ‘The high point of this prayer [at Taizé] is the singing which never ends and which continues afterwards in the silence of the hearts when we are alone again.’ Brother Roger of Taizé The use of repeated short songs is a feature of worship in various traditions; what is its value? In answering this question the course will focus upon the music of… Read more
August 2020
Greek in a Week 2020: 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
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew 2020
Reading the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible in the language in which it was written is to open a window into a different world and times. We are as a culture more than 3,000 years distant from the nomadic tribes who wandered the Middle East from amongst whom emerged a radical new understanding of Creation and the Creator. Learning to read Biblical Hebrew is an adventure in difference. Ancient Hebrew is linguistically distant from European languages and employs structures and techniques to… Read more
September 2020
Leading Across the Generations: Engaging Millennials
How do we make the most of the insights of all the generations? And how do we do so as we seek to develop leaders in the church today, especially the Millennials? Millennials (also known as Gen Y – those born between 1984-2000) are among us. They are different, and many churches are finding that they don’t seem to lead in the same ways as other generations. This day explains the differences between the generations (Gen Y, Gen X, Boomers,… Read more
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 1: 24-25 September 2020
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
Reading Scripture Together: Sarah and Hagar
This conversational one-day course series will re-read selected sacred texts in detail and consider the ways they have been interpreted, both in the written word and in art, and on their relevance and meaning to us today. Sarah and Hagar are the matriarchs of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. Their stories highlight themes of conflict, privilege, promise, and the power of story to construct a religious identity. This day will explore the story of Sarah and Hagar in detail… Read more
Rural Mission and Ministry day: The Way Under our Feet: A Christian Spirituality of Walking
Explore the theme of walking in Scripture and how this can relate to our daily spiritual life. St Paul, the itinerant tent maker, walked many miles on his missionary journeys and characterized the Christian life as a walk, using the metaphor on 32 occasions. God has invited us to walk the way of Jesus and along the way we discover our story and our song. As we journey, our lives begin to reflect the walk we make. St Francis of… Read more
October 2020
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 and Punishment; – a participative interview with Martyn Cook who coordinates chaplaincy services as Swindon Law Courts; – an exploration of… 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
Introduction to the Enneagram
The Enneagram is an ancient, extraordinarily accurate, model of human personality and spirit. Describing nine personality types and their interactions, it enables us to look deeply into our character, harmonise our daily lives and our relationships, and understand our particular, best path to growth. Taught in the narrative tradition, participants come away with a living experience, rather than simply a theoretical knowledge, of the ways in which different types of people view and interact with the world. I use video… 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
Bridgebuilding: Making Peace with Conflict
How can you better handle tensions and conflict in relationships and groups, including within the church? This course will offer you some tools, skills and insights for thinking differently about the conflict in human interactions, aiming to help you in building bridges with others. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Re-writing the Bible in Public
The days of cultural privilege for the Bible are long gone. But as a suspect text, it has new, subversive potential. This course explores how the cultural status of the Bible affects interpretation, and how creative, public re-reading of the Bible can re-write stories that quietly enforce the rules by which we live. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Paul as Pastor
Most people consider Paul as a church planter and teacher of the faith. He was these things but uniquely, he combined in himself through his gifting the fivefold ministry of the apostle; prophet, pastor, teacher and evangelist. He was all of these at times. His letters convey both his teaching of the infant church and his pastoral heart towards them. During this course, we will look at what motivated him as a pastor, how he understood the goals of pastoral… Read more
Facts of Blood & Bread: Drama and Power in the Gospel of Mark
A dialogical, resource focus on the 2021 Gospel of the Year earthing the story in lived experience. Through a selection of narratives from Mark, we will explore the resonances of this ancient context for contemporary life and ministry. The Gospel of Mark is 2021’s Gospel of the Year and this day will dialogical and resource-focused, earthing this story in lived experience – ‘facts of blood and bread’ – by exploring a selection of narratives from Mark and finding where this… Read more
For Us Men and For Our Salvation? When Feminism, Ritual and Liturgy Collide
Much of the liturgy used in our church settings speaks overwhelmingly of male experience, language and shaping. Yet efforts to reimagine it have been deemed transgressive. This day offers an opportunity to explore together feminist words, liturgy and rituals. Liturgy and ritual are rich and beautiful gifts to enable, in part, the expression of human experience and Divine connection. Yet much of what is used in our church settings speaks overwhelmingly of male experience, language and shaping. There has been… Read more
Sing Gregorian Chant 2020
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
November 2020
Biblical Study Break: Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible
This course will consider historical contexts and theological concepts in minor prophetic literature There will be a focus on Amos, Jonah, Zephaniah and Malachi in particular, as well as considerations of the reception of minor prophets in ancient religious literature more broadly. Minor prophetic literature is an understudied and often misunderstood genre of the Hebrew Bible. What did Amos intend to accomplish with his rousing, politically-laden speeches? Why did Jonah disobey God’s command? What does Zephaniah understand justice and love… Read more
The Spirituality of Space
Christians are called to reach beyond place, beyond borders, boundaries and conventions, out into space. So, the Spirit impels Jesus after his baptism – into the wilderness. Where do we find that space and wilderness in our lives? We will try to discover a spirituality of space in our stories, in architecture, in art, poetry, and theology. There has been a renewed interest recently in the theology of place. But arguably Christians are called to reach beyond place, beyond borders,… Read more
Autumn Silent Retreat
Retreat from all the busyness of life by coming on Silent Retreat at Sarum. Using gentle liturgy, spiritual reflection practices, and rest we aim to create a residential community of silence and calm for the weekend. Retreat from all the busyness of life by coming on a Silent Retreat at Sarum. Using gentle liturgy, spiritual reflection practices, and rest we aim to create a residential community of silence and calm for the weekend. Silent Retreats are a time for you… Read more
Pastoral Liturgy Day: Liturgy that Nurtures: The Pastoral Power of Worship
An exploration of how liturgy can be a powerful element of pastoral ministry in a parish or other worshipping communities. Attention will be given both to the occasional offices, and the routine Eucharistic worship of a parish, demonstrating that both can be powerful pastoral ministries. The liturgical worship of the parish carries with it pastoral opportunities as well as those of teaching and discipleship. In this day course we will explore the ways in which liturgy has a pastoral aspect,… Read more
Befriending Death?
How do we consider morality and prepare for death? This day aims to facilitate a conversation about this aspect of our shared ministry and introduce some resources to equip us all to continue to develop and grow in wisdom in his area of pastoral and spiritual work. This day is ideally suited for spiritual directors and anyone, lay or ordained, engaging in pastoral ministry. “Sensitively led, felt unhurried with plenty of time for reflection. A great opportunity for discussion.” Contact… Read more
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 2: 12-13 November 2020
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
Art, Faith and the Unsaid
A day to explore the creative tension between the image and the word. Drawing together art history and theology we will look at works of art old and new to consider the vitality of uncertainty, the imaginative potential of space and the subversive power of the image to question authority. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Our Ministry of Health and Healing
This day will explore the traditional healing ministry, look at the role of prayer, and explore the mission field. We shall reimagine Christian spiritual healing and the power of faith in helping individuals and building up the mission of the church. Jesus asks his disciples to grow the church and to heal. Today, we tend to be more comfortable doing the former, and we have lost our confidence to offer the gifts of the Christian Spiritual healing. In this teaching… Read more
Reading the Bible with People Who Don’t Read the Bible
More and more people today have little or no familiarity with the Bible. Have you struggled with how to help them understand the Bible’s relevance? This course is for anyone working with individuals and groups who are unfamiliar with the Bible and the various ways it can be read and understood. This day will be spent exploring various reading practices, such as dialogical and contextual methods, for approaching the Bible in fresh, exciting ways. The aim of the day is… Read more
Teach Us How to Pray: Poetry and Prayer
This day will explore the role of poets as instructors in the art of prayer, not just as a set of words, but as an effective experience, a form of meditation and a wordless, bodily practice. The day will involve close reading, reflection and discussion on poems that engage with traditions of public and liturgical prayer, of private and extemporary prayer, and of secular forms of prayer. By the end of the day, you will have encountered new literature and… Read more
Change and Conflict
This module critically examines theoretical and practical aspects of change through several disciplines, especially theology, ecclesiology, missiology, ecology, psychology and complexity theory. The various strands are brought together to provide a holistic view of the origins and potentially transforming role of conflict. Throughout, students apply the concepts to their situations to increase shared learning and to provide practical insights for their practice. this postgraduate module is open to wider participation. Those not on the MA programme are very welcome to… Read more
Embodying Wisdom
This module introduces the key philosophical and psychological issues of the last 100 years that have shaped contemporary understandings of Spirituality. Students will be encouraged to examine contemporary concepts of ‘experience’ and ‘self’ in the light of some seminal thinkers of the twentieth century, whose works can be directly related to issues of religious subjectivity. Students will also be enabled to assess the impact of the work of Carl Jung on Christian thought and practice, including in pastoral care and… Read more
Liturgy and Time: Calendar and Daily Prayer
This module will explore how Christian worship has been influenced by its relationship with time. The way Christians have developed daily patterns of prayer will be investigated, together with the constituent elements of this form of prayer, such as the use of psalms, scripture and intercessory prayer. The historical origins and evolution of the Christian festivals together with their theological and ritual meaning will form the basis of an analysis of annual rhythms of prayer. Contemporary revisions of either Daily… Read more
Text, Interpretation and Imagination
The images, stories, myths and teachings of the Bible have served as a foundation for the Western cultural imagination. The Bible, when read in each new cultural context, both challenges the readers’ cultural assumptions and is challenged by new ways of reading which spring forth from the readers’ distinct perspective. The discipline, art and craft of hermeneutics require that one become sensitive to both the reading of the text and the act of being read by the text. During this… Read more
December 2020
Reading Scripture Together: The Four Marys
This conversational one-day course series will re-read selected sacred texts in detail and consider the ways they have been interpreted, both in the written word and in art, and on their relevance and meaning to us today. The voices of women are thin on the ground in the Gospel texts. Four of the most significant female presences within these texts are, coincidentally, all named Mary; Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the sister of Martha, and Mary the… Read more
January 2021
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 3: 21-22 January 2021
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
March 2021
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 4: 4-5 March 2021
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
June 2021
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 5: 2-4 June 2021
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
Christian Approaches to Leadership in the Public Square 2021
What is the potential impact of faith-based leadership on and within institutions? Especially in a time when religion is being marginalised and faith is under attack? Those not on the MA programme are very welcome to book on this module as an auditor. Contact Chris Whimpenny for all booking enquiries cwhimpenny@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424827 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
September 2021
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 6: 23-24 September 2021
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
November 2021
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 7: 18-19 November 2021
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
January 2022
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 8: 27-28 January 2022
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
March 2022
Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction: Session 9: 24-25 March 2022
Two-year course with nine residential sessions. 2020 to 2022 dates: 24 to 25 September 2020; 12 to 13 November 2020; 21 to 22 January 2021; 4 to 5 March 2021; 2 to 4 June 2021; 23 to 24 September 2021; 18 to 19 November 2021; 27 to 28 January 2022 and 24 to 25 March 2022. This two-year course offers a balanced learning environment, blending personal and spiritual formation with skills development. Participants undertake this training as part of a… Read more
Sarum College 2019-20 Courses and Events Brochure
