“if a university chaplain organises an event but nobody turns up….was it a failure?’ This was the opening question of a session entitled ‘What’s it worth? Impact in HE chaplaincy’ and posed by Christopher Stephens and Sue Miller to university chaplains at their annual CHELG (Chaplains in Higher Education Liaison Group) conference. Questions, too, around […]
Discover the research projects that SWF engages in.
Menopause and theology research project
Summary: SWF researcher Dr Emma Pavey is researching menopause and theology from various angles, a topic that is current and yet also massively under-explored. This project is looking at different ways theological thinking can accompany those experiencing menopause, but also vice versa – how menopause can serve theology and the church through dialogue with those […]
On the Move: World Methodist Conference
In August, Sue Miller and Emma Pavey of the Susanna Wesley Foundation joined Head of Southlands College Christopher Stephens and around 2,000 others at the World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, a global gathering of Methodist-Wesleyan denominations that happens every 5 years. The theme was ‘On the Move’, divided into days around ‘pilgrimage’, ‘migration’ and […]
SWF Annual Conference – a day of Challenge and Hope
“You curated a powerful and stimulating day with emotional and cerebral provocations. I have much to digest and reflect on.” On 18th June we gathered for our annual conference entitled ‘Challenging Hope’ along with contributors and participants from across the globe and a wide range of disciplines, walks of life and backgrounds. “I appreciate the […]
Research Report: Reclaiming Local Lay Ministry for Mission
Replanting in the Same Pot: Reclaiming Local Lay Ministry for Mission is an action research project led by Erica Dunmow, an organisational development, fresh expressions, and urban mission practitioner, working with Dr Delroy Hall, pastor, counsellor and equalities practitioner. They had a vision that churches could be revived and made more missional through a focus […]
Articles: Assessing Impact Amongst Chaplains in a University Setting
A series of two articles have been published in the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, authored by SWF Director Sue Miller, and Christopher Stephens, Head of Southlands College. The articles can be read by clicking on the links below: Assessing Impact Amongst Chaplains in a University Setting: Phase One of an Action Research Project […]
Book review: Hope Amidst Conflict
Oded Adomi Leshem, Hope Amidst Conflict: Philosophical and Psychological Explorations (2023, Oxford University Press) Hope is a key concept both for theology and for church life. It has been an interest of ours at SWF for some time and Challenging Hope is the title of our annual conference on June 18th, 2024. Oded Adomi Leshem […]
Journal issue: Learning faith
The CMS (Church Mission Society) recently published an issue on the theme of Learning Faith. Here, issue editor James Butler tells us more. So much of people’s learning takes place in the midst of everyday life. As humans, we grow and change through our experiences, our interactions, and through life events, both big and small. […]