Courses at Gladstone's Library
Except where otherwise stated, all prices include course fee, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, bed and continental breakfast.
Understanding Islam
Friday 4th – Sunday 6th February
Chris Hewer explains clearly and concisely Islam's beginnings, development, beliefs and practices. An excellent clarification of a faith which is often distorted through misinformation and disinformation. For more information, please click here.
Cost: £170
Being Faithful to the Tradition : Believing in God's Word?
Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th February
An exploration of the ways in which Christians and Muslims understand and interpret scripture with Prof Tom Greggs and Dr Mohammad Seddon. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £90
More Than Matter? What Human Beings Really Are
Saturday 26th March
A study day with Keith Ward. The question of what it is to be a human person is the biggest intellectual question of our day. Are we nothing but matter or is there another, deeply valuable part of us which transcends our bodies in nature and moral worth: the soul. This age old debate has taken the recent limelight through the works of the New Atheists. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £25 (includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea)
Film & Theology
Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd April
The 13th annual weekend of screenings, discussions, clips and cuttings. As usual, the participants will explore the relationship between film and theology. Offers of papers are welcome. Films include: Four Lions, The Infidel, Metropolis, Agora, Whisky Galore! For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £150 (£120 for those presenting papers)
The 4th Gospel – Tales of a Jewish Mystic
Monday 6th – Friday 10th June
John Shelby Spong's last week of teaching at Gladstone's Library will reveal his liberating understanding of John's Gospel. Jack Spong is the leading spokesperson for an open, scholarly and progressive Christianity. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £440
Christpower
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th June
A weekend in conversation with John Shelby Spong. This seminar is for a limited number of invited attendees. For an invitation to this special event, please contact the Library. It is an opportunity to re-visit the writings and thoughts of Jack Spong on his last lecture tour of the UK. For more informatio, please click here.
- Cost: £170
When are we ever going to grow up? A quizzical look at Genesis 1 - 4
Monday 20th – Friday 24th June
Lyn Bechtel continues her acclaimed series of courses on the Hebrew Bible. This year, she looks at the early chapters of Genesis - stories that encourage the audience to question some of their traditional theological assumptions. For more information, please click here
- Cost: £320
Creative Writing Workshop
Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd July
Acclaimed American novelist, theologian and cultural critic, Greg Garrett, leads this creative writing workshop following a month's residency at the Library. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £170
John: Re-visioned
Monday 11th – Friday 15th July
By popular demand, Kalyan Dey offers a distinctive, insightful and liberal reading of John's Gospel that will help you look at the gospel with fresh eyes.
- Cost: £320
The Gladstone Conference
Friday 15th – Sunday 17th July
As the National Memorial to Gladstone, the Library provides the perfect setting for the annual Gladstone colloquium for scholars and Gladstone enthusiasts. The weekend includes a trip to Gladstone's study, the Temple of Peace, at Hawarden Castle. Offers of papers on all aspects of Gladstone's life and times are welcome. If you would like to offer a paper, please contact the conference organiser, Dr David Brooks, Department of History, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS or email [email protected] by March 31st. Please contact the Library to book your accommodation.
- Cost: £160 (£130 for those presenting papers)
Greek in a Week
Monday 1st – Sunday 7th August
Kalyan Dey explores a selection of texts for those who are seeking an opportunity to learn, revise or extend their knowledge of New Testament Greek. No prior knowledge is assumed or required.
- Cost: £455
Hebrew in a Week
Monday 8th – Sunday 14th August
This course offers an exciting way to enjoy and understand Biblical Hebrew. Lyn Bechtel leads the week for those who wish to begin to read Biblical Hebrew. It can be enjoyed by those who know a little Hebrew and wish to revise and improve their knowledge or those who have no prior knowledge.
- Cost: £455
Latin in a Week
Monday 15th – Sunday 21st August
This exciting new course aims to take complete beginners to the point where they can read some short extracts of poetry and prose by Latin authors. Robert Parker leads the week for those who wish to begin to read Latin. It can also be enjoyed by those who know a little Latin and wish to revise and improve their knowledge of it but no prior knowledge is assumed. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £455
Welsh in a Week
Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th August
Come with little or no knowledge of the Welsh language - just a desire to learn - and by the end of the week, Julie Brake will have helped you achieve a basic ability in Welsh.
- Cost: £455
The Future(s) of Anglicanism
Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th September
Gregory Cameron, Simon Sarmiento and others explore the current state of Anglicanism and suggest future options and possibilities.
- Cost: £170
Understanding Islam : Five Contemporary Themes
Friday 14th – Sunday 16th October
Following the success of Understanding Islam, Chris Hewer takes us deeper into the faith, culture and practice of Islam and its influence today. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £170
Strange Bedfellows : Ancient Wisdom and Fresh Expressions
Monday 24th – Friday 28th October
David Keller and Emily Wilmer return to lead another week of spiritual insights from the Desert and Celtic saints and to reflect on their application for today's mission and ministry. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £320
Films of Faith & Doubt
Monday 7th – Thursday 10th November
Tom Aitken and Peter Francis continue to revive, review and enthuse about classic and recent films of faith and doubt. Seven films will be introduced, watched and discussed including Oedipus Wrecks, War Requiem and Lourdes.
- Cost: £225
John Buchan Weekend
Friday 11th – Sunday 13th November
The perfect opportunity to pour a large Scotch and sit by the open fire pondering the life and works of John Buchan. For more information, please click here.
- Cost: £170
Only Say The Word : Healing and balance in the context of faith
Saturday 3rd December
Focusing upon Christ's healing ministry, Susan Woodhead explores the needs of both patient and healer. She draws upon many years of experience as a practitioner in complementary medicine and in counselling and as a practising Christian. Michael Wheeler discusses Christ's healing ministry from both theological and cultural viewpoints.
- Cost: £25 (includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea)
Urban Theology
Monday 5th – Friday 9th December
An invitation to urban theologians and practitioners to come together and reflect on their urban experience as they attempt to forge a distinctive urban theology.
- Cost: £200
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