We are delighted to launch a new series of Zoom seminars in 2023.
In this series, seven theologians explore what spiritual healing is in today’s anxious world, with reflections from a variety of perspectives, personal and political, local and national.
The zoom-based series of talks and group discussions are inclusive, accessible, mission-focused, and, above all, aimed to help theological reflection on faithful living in these times.
The format of our sessions is as follows:
7.15 Start to gather
7.30 Speaker’s talk
8.15 Break-out groups to discuss
8.30 Plenary for Q&A
9.00 Finish
Please note that booking is essential.
15 May
Hilary Ison, ‘Trauma-informed Ministry’
Hilary Ison has been in licensed lay ministry since 1980 and ordained ministry since 1987 in parish and sector ministry, theological education, and from 2008-17 as a National Adviser for Selection in the Bishops’ Advisory Panels for ordained ministry. Her interest in building resilience in congregations and ministers has been informed through participation in a three-year research project (2017-20) looking at how better to prepare ministers to cope with tragedy and trauma in congregations. This has resulted in the development of resources and delivery of training days for ordinands and curates, and, during the Covid Pandemic, providing online workshops for those in ministry. See tragedyandcongregations.org.uk for more detail.
Booking for this seminar is now open.
Click here for further information.
12 June
Bishop James Newcome, ‘Green Health in an Age of Anxiety’
James Newcome is the Bishop of Carlisle and ‘lead bishop’ on healthcare in the House of Lords.
11 September
Rachel Mann, ‘The Power of Poetry in an Age of Anxiety’
Rachel Mann is a priest, poet, theologian, and broadcaster. Author of twelve books, her writing has been called ‘exceptional’ (Rowan Williams), ‘astonishing’ (Michael Symmons Roberts), and ‘Perceptive, lucid and stimulating’ (TLS). She regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4. See www.rachelmann.co.uk.
9 October
Alison Fleetwood and Julia Powley, ‘Healing Ministry in an Age of Anxiety’
Alison Fleetwood and Julia Powley lead the ministry of healing in the Diocese of Carlisle in ecumenical Cumbria.
13 November
Prof. John Swinton, ‘Mental Health and Ministry: What does the church bring to the area of mental health that is not already available?’
John Swinton is Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. For more than a decade John worked as a registered mental health nurse, then as a hospital and community mental health Chaplain. In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability. He has published widely and is the author of a number of monographs, including his new book Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of People with Mental Health Challenges (2020), which won the Aldersgate book prize for interdisciplinary theological research. His book Dementia: Living in the Memories of God (2012) won the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ramsey Prize for excellence in theological writing.
Engaging Theology in Cumbria 