Centre
for the Study of Theology
and
Health
Part of the
ministry of
Holy
Rood House
&
Hexthorpe
Manor
Centre for
Health and Pastoral Care
Patron: The
Most Rev & Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams
Vice Patron:
Professor Mary Grey
Introduction
The Centre
for the Study of Theology and Health was established in January 2001 as
part of the ministry of Holy Rood House, Centre for Health and Pastoral
Care.
Holy Rood House
is a residential therapeutic centre offering a holistic approach to health
and healing, working with a team of counsellors, psychotherapists, creative
art therapists and body therapists.
The whole of
the community of Holy Rood House is held within a prayerful and theologically
reflective framework.
Aims
and Objectives of the Centre
| To encourage
research and reflection on the relationship between theology and all areas
of health and healing.
To arrange
seminars, conferences, research days and workshops in all areas that relate
to health and healing.
To encourage
a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the study of theology and
health.
To co-operate
with similar institutions and places of Higher Education in arranging and/or
supporting training courses which further the aims and objectives of the
Centre.
To encourage
and support co-operation between academic research and praxis. |
An Ecology of Health
At the
Centre we work with a four-fold model of health to which we have given the title
an ecology of health. This includes ecological, global, personal, and
spiritual health.
Ecology health acknowledges the
interconnectedness of creation. It recognises that fulfilment through a
sustainable vision of planetary well-being. Focus is placed upon the
environmental factors that constitute health and ill health, while the
inclusiveness of this heading gives rise to our overall theological
categorisation of health as an ecology of balanced relationships.
Global health emphasises the global
community and the socio-political dimensions of health. Here, the pursuit of
peace and justice are seen as fundamental to any understanding of health and
healing. we are particularly concerned to emphasise, and contribute to, a
culture of peace and justice in contrast to a culture of violence, and we seek
to do this by challenging both the logic and practice of retribution ideologies
whether in their theological or secular forms.
Personal health focuses upon our physical
and mental wellbeing. Here, both medical practices and the other healing arts
are explored through the interpretative lens of the Christian story. Emphasis is
placed upon a holistic model of human personhood that acknowledges the multiple
influences constituting human wellbeing, whist also challenging definitions of
health and ill health that isolate an individual from the wider relational
contexts with which they live.
Spiritual health draws attention to the
specifically cultural contexts through which all human experience is filtered.
Here, emphasis is placed upon the Christian story as the primary mode of
interpretation through which we come to know ourselves and our community as
either healthy or unhealthy. Spirituality is defined in this context as the
symbolic mode of experience through which we gain insight into, and value for,
our lives.
None of the
above categorisations can be understood in isolation, and so the Centre’s
methodology is based upon a conversational encounter between these four
overlapping strands.
Not
withstanding our commitment to the Christian story, we wish to emphasise that no
legitimate enquiry into the constitutive factors of health and ill health are to
be excluded from the Centre’s programme. We only ask that participants respect
the diversity of views that constitute a genuinely open and searching enquiry.
|
Events
Guide 2007
2-4
November
The
Changing Face of Spiritual Accompaniment. Professor Brian Thorne Emeritus
Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia, will deliver our
annual Hildegard Lecture
|
Events Guide 2008
7-9 March
Hildegard
Lecture: Rev Prof Martyn Percy, Principle of Ripon College, Cuddesdon,
Professor of Theology and Ministry at Hartford Seminary Connecticut USA and
Professor of Theological Education at Kings College, London
Weekend
Conference: "Fundamentalisms and the Future" an exploration of Faith and
Folly
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Other
Gallery Events and Women’s Spirituality Events to be announced |
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All Saturday seminars
and workshops include tea/coffee and lunch.
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The second figure
indicates the price for unwaged or low waged participants.
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For those seeking
assistance with funding some bursaries are available.
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Holy Rood House
can provide bed and breakfast or full board accommodation for participants
wishing to stay overnight during any of the events which
do not include accommodation (see Accom. Inc.) within the price.
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Times vary according
to format of lecture, seminar, workshop or course.
-
For more information
please contact Elizabeth Baxter (see below)
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The
following are consultants to the overall work of the Centre for Health and
Pastoral Care:
The
Rev Prebendary Dr Paul Avis
General Secretary Church of England’s Council of
Christian Unity
Sub-Dean of Exeter Cathedral,
Director Centre for the Study of the Christian Church,
University of Exeter
Rev Prof June Boyce-Tillman,
Professor in Applied Music, University of Winchester
Dr Ralf Buchner
Medical Practitioner and Health Administrator
North Elbian EV Lutheran Church, State of
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Prof Elaine Graham
Samuel Ferguson Professor of Social and Pastoral
Theology, the University of Manchester
Dr Beate Jakob
Catholic Theologian and Medical Practitioner
Institute for Missionary Medicine, University of
Tubingen, Germany
The Right Rev Dame Joanna Jamieson OSB
Abbess of Stanbrook Abbey
Prof Helen Leathard,
Professor of Healing Science and Pharmacology
Department of Nursing Studies, St. Martin’s College,
Lancaster
Dr David McDonald,
Consultant Psychiatrist
The Right Revd Jack Nicholls,
Bishop of Sheffield
Warden of Guild of St. Raphael
The Rev Prof Martyn Percy,
Principal Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford, Professor of
Theology and Ministry, Hartford Seminary Connecticut, USA and Professor of
Theological Education, Kings College, London
Rev Canon Dr
Andrew Shanks
Canon Theologian, Manchester Cathedral
The Right Rev Dr Peter Selby,
Bishop of Worcester
Prof Elizabeth Stuart,
Professor of Christian Theology, University of Winchester
The Right Rev Prof Stephen Sykes
Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Durham
Assistant Bishop of Durham
Prof Brian Thorne, Emeritus Professor of Counselling,
University of East Anglia, Director of Counselling
Studies, Norwich Counselling Centre
Rev
David Gamble, Co-ordinating Secretary, Methodist Conference
Rev
Stephen Burgess, Chairperson, Methodist York District
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FACE 2 FACE
Combating Sexual Abuse within, and on behalf
of, the Christian Churches
An initiative of the
CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THEOLOGY AND HEALTH
an extension of the work of
HOLY ROOD HOUSE
CENTRE FOR HEALTH AND PASTORAL CARE
a Charitable and Ecumenical Residential Therapeutic
Centre, and the extended work of the Trust at
Hexthorpe Manor, Doncaster
Face to Face is a Research, Resource, and Training
Centre, Combating Sexual Abuse within, and on behalf of, the Christian
Churches, and in collaboration with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland,
and responding, in part, to the World Council of Churches’ ‘Decade to Overcome
Violence’ initiative. We also work in close collaboration with the survivor
run charity, Christian Survivors of Sexual Abuse, and other similar groups.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. To provide and maintain a public face for the
issues of sexual abuse as it impacts upon, and within, the Christian churches.
2. To support ‘survivors’ of sexual abuse in their
journey towards wholeness and healing.
3. To develop a critique of existing power structures
conducive to the practice and/or denial of sexual abuse.
4. To provide research, conference and publication
opportunities for those involved in combating sexual abuse within the churches
and wider world.
5. To provide training for clergy and lay people
on issues pertaining to sexual abuse.
6. To network with other organisations and educational
establishments involved in combating sexual abuse.
RESOURCES IN PROCESS
1. We already provide a library of relevant source
materials – book, journals – on sexual abuse and related topics.
2. A website is to be developed.
3. We are working towards hosting at least one
conference each year where speakers and participants are encouraged to
share their research interests, whilst also developing concrete proposals
for combating the practice of sexual abuse within the Christian churches.
4. We work towards funding for the provision of
research scholarships those undertaking research in line with our aims
and objectives.
5. We offer workshops and training days, either
as unaccredited introductory workshops, or as more in-depth courses receiving
university accreditation for the University College of York St John, e.g.
The third year of the post-graduate course ‘Working with Survivors of Abuse’
commences Autumn 2006.
6. A survivor led therapeutic self-help group
for women, entitled ‘Women Breaking Free’ is in process. As yet we do not
have the resources to provide a similar group for male survivors of sexual
abuse, although as the project develops we hope to remedy this imbalance.
7. Overall, our aim is to provide a research,
resource and training centre that creates opportunities not currently available
within any one organisation in the UK.
8. We do not wish to replicate or replace existing
organisations or educational programmes currently working in this area,
but rather provide a context wherein existing projects and/or individuals
can meet for further dialogue and mutual support. |
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If you would
like to receive further information about the Centre or any of the events,
please contact
Elizabeth
Baxter.
Or write to:
Centre for
the Study of Theology and Health
c/o Holy Rood
House
10 Sowerby
Rd
Thirsk
North Yorkshire
Y07 1HX |
We look forward
to hearing from you! |
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