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
Tim HarleCoordinator for the Centre for Leadership Learning Read more
Karen O’DonnellCoordinator, Centre for Contemporary Spirituality Read more
Jayme ReavesCoordinator, Centre for Encountering the Bible and Short Courses Read more
All academic staff
January 2020
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 3: Of the House of David: The Gospel of Matthew
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
Biblical Leaders: All Too Human
Leaders aren’t perfect; neither are characters in the Bible. That’s why biblical leaders are the perfect models for leadership case studies. Using the narratives of three biblical leaders- Abraham, Moses and Esther- as well as contemporary leadership studies and literary analysis, this course will inspire us to reflect on leadership, then and now. One of the best ways to explore leadership is through case studies of people who we admire and strive to emulate despite (or perhaps even because of)… Read more
Lunchtime Concert: Anemos Trio
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. Anemos Trio Groovesome Threesome by Mike Mower and 6 sonatas by C.P.E. Bach. Artists: Robert Blanken, clarinet; Karen Kingsley, piano; Richard Moore, bassoon. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries Booking Information aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722… Read more
February 2020
Pastoral Liturgy Day: Guard us Sleeping: Praying at Night
The course explores how Compline provides a means of prayer for an age that is increasingly concerned about sleep. Participants will be introduced to the history and liturgical forms of Compline, the most recent work on the theology of sleep, and a variety of practical ideas on how Compline can be used in a local church setting. Opportunity will be given for discussion and sharing in the experience of prayer at night. Ideal for those with pastoral and liturgical responsibility… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 4: A Gentle Sensibility: The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles
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
Reading Scripture Together: The Binding of Isaac/Ishmael
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. Celebrated during Rosh Hashanah in Judaism, during easter in the Christianity, and for Eid al-Adha in Islam, the binding of Isaac/Ishmael is an important story. During this day, we will re-read the stories in detail and explore the ways the Christian, Jewish, and… Read more
Waiting on the Word: The Spirituality of Preaching
A contemplative approach to the art of preaching given over five sessions with time allowed for discussion. We look at how the spiritual life of preachers informs how they preach, both pastorally and prophetically, in today’s world and for a changing church. The final session focuses on practical skills. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries Booking Information aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Biblical Study Break: Sacrifice and Salvation: The Epistle to the Hebrews
The biblical concept of sacrifice is an essential component in understanding the significance of Jesus’s death and resurrection in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Sacrifice is no longer part of our world: we find the whole idea alien and repulsive. And yet the sacrifice is fundamental to the human imagination, especially to the relationship between earth and heaven, between humanity and the divine. Sacrifice is one of the basic concepts adopted by the early Christians to understand the significance of… Read more
Rural Mission and Ministry Day: Celebrating Festivals in the Rural Context
An exploration of the principles and practicalities involved in celebrating the major festivals of the church in the distinctively rural context. The course will explore imaginative ways of keeping feasts such as Christmas and Holy Week, but also the agricultural and rural feasts for which provision is made in Common Worship. Ministering in a rural context calls for a distinctive and particular approach to liturgical and pastoral provision. Rural multi-parochial benefices have a particular set of joys and challenges around… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 5: The Missionary Revolutionary: Paul and his Letters
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 Ministry and Christian Spiritual Direction
This module enables students to explore approaches to pastoral ministry and spiritual direction within the Christian tradition. It presents them with different models of pastoral care and encourages them to reflect theologically on these models, placing them in their historical context. Students will explore issues of particular concern for pastoral ministry in the contemporary context and engage with non-theological disciplines that provide pastoral care. Students will be introduced to different approaches to the spiritual direction within the Christian tradition. They… Read more
The Bible: Cultural Critique and Transformation
The Bible is notably the most translated book in human history. Its worldwide popularity has shaped political, economic and cultural relations in societies where it is read. Its entrenchment in history has made it a language for readers, interpreters and textual critics alike who have found the Bible a useful means to address issues of concern within their contexts and so to voice various calls for social and cultural transformation. Despite the fact that the study of the Bible in… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 6: The Gospel of John and its Letter
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
The Challenge of Christian Animal Ethics
The consequences of modern animal agriculture, the environment, and human wellbeing is an increasing public concern. This study day will explore the Christian basis for concern for the flourishing of fellow animal creatures and the urgent ethical questions that follow for our use of animals for food. Tutor David Clough is Professor of Theological Ethics at the University of Chester and the author of the landmark two-volume monograph On Animals. He is the Principle Investigator for the Christian Ethics of… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 7: Quests of the Historical Jesus
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
Lunchtime Concert: Norbert Meyn and Alisdair Kitchen
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. Norbert Meyn and Alisdair Kitchen A Feast of German Lieder by Schubert, Schumann and Brahms Artists: Norbery Meyn, tenor; Alisdair Kitchen, piano. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 |… Read more
Perham-Shaped Worship 2020
This symposium is an invitation to consider the remarkably rich and diverse influence of the late Bishop Michael Perham upon worship in the Church of England. In this public forum, speakers with first-hand experience of Michael’s ministry will address issues such as nurturing worship in the parish, liturgical leadership, the formation of praying people, and liturgical revision. Session Titles & Contributors Click on a session title for the full description Praying and Practising the Liturgy: Inhabiting the Eucharist with Tom Clammer… Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
Praying and Practising the Liturgy: Inhabiting the Eucharist With Tom Clammer Tom was made Deacon by Bishop Michael Perham in 2005, and much of the diaconal year in the diocese of Gloucester was spent in preparation for the various responsibilities and blessings of priesthood. Bishop Michael took the formation of his deacons very seriously, and in this session Tom reflects on the way in which his ordaining Bishop sort to form and resource his deacons for their priestly ministry. He… Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
Inclusive Worship: Women and Children in Liturgy With Sandra Millar Sandra will reflect on the way the language we use in liturgy includes or excludes people, especially women and children. Bishop Micheal was known for his passionate commitment to the role of women in the church, but discovering more about the place of children was sometimes a surprise. Sandra will draw on conversations, changes and challenges from both these areas to help us think about our words in and around… Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
The Extra-ordinarization of the Mundane: Encounters Between Liturgy & Leadership With Tim Harle This paper is inspired by Michael Perham’s passion to present liturgy not as an esoteric discipline, but as something that is vital in everyday parochial life. It takes its title from a paper by two Scandinavian critical management scholars, Alvesson and Sveningsson, who argue that the much-vaunted concept of leadership should really be understood as making mundane things extraordinary. I will explore, perhaps unacknowledged, parallels between liturgy… Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
Liturgy in Flux: New Anglican Voices With Mary Gray-Reeves Bishop Michael loved liturgy. He loved to create, preside and participate in it. More though, he loved for people to have an experience of liturgy that helped them draw closer to God. This video contribution to the Michael Perham Symposium will explore with other leaders of emerging communities the principles of Anglican worship that have held true for hundreds of years and continue to have the capacity to be healing community… Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
Michael Perham as Pastoral Liturgist With James Steven The publication in 1984 of Liturgy Pastoral and Parochial marked the beginning of Michael Perham’s many years of work convincing the church at large that the way in which Christian pray the liturgy matters. This book, and its subsequent iterations, argue that the worship of the church is to be informed by a dynamic conversation between liturgical principles and pastoral practice. This paper will examine Michael’s specific contribution to this vital conversation. Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
Michael Perham on the Liturgical Commission (1981-2000) With David Hebblethwaite Michael Perham made significant contributions to the liturgical business of Synod and thus to liturgical revision in the Church of England. David offers the perspective of the Commission’s observant administrator, reflecting on the nature of this contribution and the ways in which Michael was himself influenced and shaped by his involvement with the Liturgical Commission. Read more
Perham Shaped Worship
Liturgical Training in the Church of England With Jo Spreadbury Is good liturgical leadership and liturgical formation caught or taught? Bishop Michael’s own style of presiding and officiating was able to evoke a vivid sense of the presence and reality of God. He could welcome people with informal friendliness and then gather them seamlessly into prayer and worship. For those who were not able to learn from him at first hand, Bishop Michael wrote and spoke extensively and supported Praxis… Read more
Marian Apparitions and Shrines
This one day course will cover shrines and apparitions of Mary in modern (19th and 20th century) Roman Catholicism, with a special emphasis on Europe. The aims of the day are that you will have opportunities to: 1. Appreciate the breadth of this phenomenon, and develop knowledge about well-known and little-known cases, taking into mind social contexts. 2. Discuss the figure of Mary at the centre of the visionary claims and messages. 3. Analyse the Roman Catholic Church response to… Read more
March 2020
The Eucharist
This module explores the most significant developments of eucharistic worship from the New Testament to the contemporary church. Students will gain an understanding of the theological, historical and social influences upon the Eucharist and the debates surrounding different interpretations of its meaning. Through the study of recent ecumenical conversations, students will be encouraged to relate their study to contemporary church contexts. Those not on the MA programme are very welcome to book on this module as an auditor. Contact Alison Ogden… Read more
Relocating Religion: Cultural and Spiritual Realignments
In a so called ‘secular age’ has religion and more specifically Christian faith and belief simply disappeared from public view altogether? Do modern people no longer require the ‘sacred canopy’ of religion to feel at home in the world? Has the idea and practice of religion become so tarnished with notions of religious fundamentalism and extremism or institutional irrelevance and corruption that by and large, in Europe at least, most people leave it to a small minority of others to… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 8: Use of Jewish Scripture, and Anti-Jewish Sentiment in the New Testament
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
The Wondrous Story: Preaching from Palm Sunday to Easter
The period between Palm Sunday and Easter is at the heart of our Gospel, but how do we preach it in a fresh and engaging way? Palm Sunday to Easter is at the heart of our gospel, but how do we preach it in a fresh and engaging way? Preachers are speaking to those who have heard the stories often, and often to visitors who come for many different reasons. They might be speaking to mixed-age congregations, or in the… Read more
Exile and Christian Authenticity
How did early Christians deal with the problem of Christian authenticity when the official imperial persecutions came to an end? We will examine how Christian authenticity laid claim to its past as a persecuted minority while simultaneously affirming its new status as a violent Christian empire. The course works with the use of episcopal exile to impose religious conformity points to a consistent dilemma for scholars who work on early Christianity and its role in the Roman empire. The mid-… Read more
Understanding Organisations
This module examines contemporary images and models of organisations, bringing multi-disciplinary critical insights into the emergence of organisational culture. The role of the leader is examined, especially through questions of power and authority and comparisons made between different approaches to ecclesiology and church organisation. Systems theories are used to examine organisations, including congregations: students are encouraged to reflect on their own situation and experience in the light of this. Those not on the MA programme are very welcome to book… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 9: Epistle as Performance: The Letter to the Romans
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
Leading From a Secure Base
This interdisciplinary workshop explores how new understandings of attachment theory can promote change. It brings together a range of perspectives, which explore different attitudes of individuals and groups to anxiety and security. Developing John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s work, we will explore such ideas as God as an attachment figure, and examples from churches’ liturgy as a secure base, which reduce anxiety and promote exploration. Through a series of case studies from sectors such as education, financial services,and pharmaceuticals, we… Read more
Making Sense of Revelation and Apocalyptic Literature
This course explores the range of apocalyptic texts produced by early Jews and Christians, including revelation, 4 Ezra, 1 Enoch, Apocalypse of Peter, and others. Revelation is perhaps the best-known apocalypse since it is the only example of its genre to make it into the biblical canon. But the first and second centuries produced a wealth of apocalyptic texts, including Revelation, 4 Ezra, 1 Enoch, Apocalypse of Peter, and many more. The reasons why this genre enjoyed such a surge… Read more
Eaten Up: Food, God and Us
Everyone has a ‘food story’. Food is essential to life, yet is contested at just about every level – from our individual relationships with it (do we under-eat, over-eat, obsess about it, not care about it?), to its wider political significances. This day will be exploratory and participatory. We will look at issues of: food and identity: body image, health and wellbeing, links with mental health, food as culture; food and politics: food poverty, gifting food, inequality, starvation as a weapon;… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 2: Week 10: The Apocalypse of St John
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
The Faith Journeys of Millennials
Today’s young adults are the least religious generation on record and yet there are still those for whom Christian faith is central to their identity. This one-day course will explore contemporary theories of identity and faith formation among young adults. It will be based on the findings of a large-scale qualitative research project undertaken with Millennials, in which they told the story of their life and faith through their twenties. They include the accounts of those who have lost their… Read more
Medieval Spirituality
This module will encourage students to evaluate Western Medieval schools of Spirituality. It will examine the role of women in this period and evaluate their contribution to the Mysticism and politics of the period. Students will be encouraged to assess the impact of the Crusades on the ongoing relationship between Islam and Christianity. The module will highlight the legacy of this period to the Churches in our day. Those not on the MA programme are very welcome to book on… Read more
Lunchtime Concert: Hannah Laurens and Tom McCoy
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. Hannah Laurens and Tom McCoy A glorious romantic sonata by Julius Röntgen and other gems by Dutch composers. Artists: Hannah Laurens, violin; Tom McCoy, piano. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826… Read more
Spirituality and Nordic Noir Crime Fiction
Using material from the Nordic Noir crime fiction genre, we explore three themes of spiritual and religious interest. Nordic Noir has achieved a major place in popular fiction, through books, TV series and films. As well as its qualities as whodunits and glimpses into the different-but-accessible Scandinavian world, it has been committed to interrogating aspects of Nordic and increasingly world society. Nordic environmentalism is both reflected and challenged in Scandi-crime narratives, questioning the impact of globalisation and corporatism and exploring… Read more
April 2020
The Spiritual Care of People Living With Dementia
Following an introduction to the medical aspects of dementia, this study day will explore some of the important human questions it poses from a Christian theological perspective. We will also cover practical implications, particularly in supporting the continuing spiritual growth of individuals living with this condition, together with their carers and loved ones. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Music in Worship Day: The Legacy of African American Spirituals for Congregational Song
This course will explore theology and spirituality of African American Spirituals against their cultural and political backgrounds and assess their legacy for church music today. The Spirituals emerged from a cauldron of conflict, deep pain and suffering. They were, for enslaved African Americans, a source of affirmation, protest and liberation. So too, congregational song has, from its beginnings, been mired in controversy and conflict. Church authorities have regarded it with suspicion because singing affirms and emboldens the people in the… Read more
Transgender People: Feeling at Home in Your Church and Community
Many Churches want to be sensitive to the needs of trans people and their loved ones but are unsure how to do so. This course, based on what Christian trans people and those who love them have told us, will be helpful to churches and communities at the early stages of this specific journey of inclusion and those already on the way. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722 424800 (main reception) Read more
Reading Scripture Together: Encounters with Rabbis in the Gospel of John
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 teachings and customs of the early Rabbis form a seitz im leben for the ministry of Christ and the accounts of his ministry we find in the New Testament. Yet they are surprisingly absent from much New Testament scholarship. In this study… Read more
Stories From The Other Half Of Holy Week: Earth
Drawing on the Gospel narratives between Psalm Sunday and Maundy Thursday, these days offer the opportunity for learning, prayer, and reflection before the Easter weekend. Those who wish to attend more than one day for a prolonged Holy Week retreat can stay B&B at Sarum College at a reduced educational rate. Contact Alison Odgen for all enquiries. In Holy Week 2020 at Sarum we are focusing on ‘Living in the Other Half of Holy Week’ reading the narratives of Palm… Read more
Stories From The Other Half Of Holy Week: Return From Exile and the Way Back In: Bodies, Land and Community
Drawing on the Gospel narratives between Psalm Sunday and Maundy Thursday, these days offer the opportunity for learning, prayer, and reflection before the Easter weekend. Those who wish to attend more than one day for a prolonged Holy Week retreat can stay B&B at Sarum College at a reduced educational rate. Contact Alison Odgen for all enquiries. Return From Exile and the Way Back In: Bodies, Land and Community. This course will be split into two halves: one half learning… Read more
Stories From The Other Half Of Holy Week: Love
Drawing on the Gospel narratives between Psalm Sunday and Maundy Thursday, these days offer the opportunity for learning, prayer, and reflection before the Easter weekend. Those who wish to attend more than one day for a prolonged Holy Week retreat can stay B&B at Sarum College at a reduced educational rate. Contact Alison Odgen for all enquiries. Love The third day of our Holy Week 2020 retreat will be focussed on the theme of love, taking the narratives of the… Read more
Confronting the Violence in the Old Testament
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 violent prayers of the psalmist. Violence permeates the Old Testament. Is it possible to… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 1: Christian Interpretation of the Bible
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
Ambrose of Milan: Prayer, Preaching and the Pastoral Care in the 4th Century
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. Augustine arrived in Milan a Manichean heretic and left a baptised Christian which he… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 2: Thinking About the Bible Theologically
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
May 2020
Spring Silent Retreat
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, or be in silence with the company of others. It is an opportunity to… Read more
Liturgy and Culture
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, and the implications and theological assumptions of each approach. Reflection on these issues will be concerning… Read more
Music in Worship Day: Hearing the Sacred in Music: Listening as Prayer
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 musicker. It will include the role of memory in the listening process and the… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 3: The Bible as Liturgical Text
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
A Kind of Belonging: An Introduction to the Theology of Place
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, with discussion. Session 2 looks at Common Ground and the history and influence of… Read more
Just Pay Attention… Appreciating the Poetry of Mary Oliver
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 making’. Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries aogden@sarum.ac.uk | 01722 424826 | 01722… Read more
Biblical Study Break: Biblical Models for Conflict Transformation
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 nonviolently, establishing justice, negotiating agreements, peace-building and forging reconciliation. This participative, experimental course will… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 4: The Bible in Conflict Transformation
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
Reading Scripture Together: Tales of Two Cities
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 of the city of Gibeah in Judges 19. We will read these two stories… Read more
What is Prayer? A Very Theological Approach
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
Renewing Wellbeing
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, The founder of renew wellbeing will explore why simple spaces and even simpler habits… Read more
God, Beauty and the Imagination
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 Trinity, Mary, the church etc through various means from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 5: Feminist and Womanist 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
Carmelite Spirituality
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 together we shall explore several facets of this extraordinary spirituality beginning with the Desert… Read more
Leading in a Second Chair
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. Second chair leaders are both leaders and followers. What personal and organisational consequences does… Read more
Exploring Theology Term 3: Week 6: Liberationalist Perspectives
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
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
September 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
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 & 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
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
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
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
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
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
Sarum College 2019-20 Courses and Events Brochure
