Festival of Public Theology
Plurality in Public Square: Activism, Politics and Religion
21 & 22 June 2024 – Online via Zoom
- Interested in learning about the role of religion in today’s pluralist but fragmented world?
- Can we as individuals, local communities and professional organisations build strong partnerships to address interconnected global challenges?
Come and join us this summer for the William Temple Festival of Public Theology
Building on the earlier traditions of the William Temple College, which trained lay men and women to relate faith to the realities of the secular world, we are pleased to offer a virtual programme of short courses and hands-on discussions about religion, radical hope and activism in a world that is once again rapidly changing, and calling into question some of the settled assumptions of a secular world that were held in the last century. Our exciting programme is curated by William Temple scholars, researchers and affiliated practitioners.
By joining in this festival, you will gain a greater insight into innovative theological and practical approaches to racial justice and poverty, climate change and urban transformation, peacemaking and postsecular partnerships, as well as some of the ethical and moral dilemmas of engaging with religion in the public life.
The two-hour interactive sessions will provide opportunities to learn and exchange ideas and best practices, equipping you with new techniques and insights for tackling today’s challenges in your own line of work and in your local area.
These taster courses are offered on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis. Your donations will help us to develop our vision for ‘College without Walls’.
Festival Programme
To find out more about each course and to book your place, please click on individual sessions below.
Friday 21 June 2024
| 9.30-11.30 | Faith in the public square: uneasy case studies of the relationships between law and morality (Prof Simon Lee, Aston University) | |
| 12.00-14.00 | Sustainable futures: William Temple’s legacy and contribution (Lois Guthrie, William Temple Foundation) | |
| 14.30-16.30 | Age, gender and race: exploring positionality of Christian activists in the cause of racial justice (Greg Smith, William Temple Foundation) | Curating Spaces of Hope: leadership in the Temple tradition, after Temple (Dr Matthew Barber-Rowell, Liverpool Hope University) |
| 18.00-19.30 | Public Lecture: The future of faith in the UK: theological and political perspectives Guest speaker: Prof James Walters, LSE Faith Centre Chaired by: Prof Simon Lee With contributions from: Prof Chris Baker, Revd Dr Ericsson Mapfumo and Dr Saiyyidah Zaidi Followed by further opportunities to continue virtual conversations in more informal settings online. |
Saturday 22 June 2024
| 9.30-11.30 | Catholic approaches to peace-making (Dr Maria Power, Blackfriars Hall) | The art of the possible: sacred values and the re-imagining of urban places (Revd Dr Gill Reeve, University of Chester) |
| 12.00-14.00 | Religion, conflict and reconciliation: faith and the coherence of pluralist society (Revd Dr Yazid Said, Liverpool Hope University) | |
| 14.30-16.30 | Framing and reframing poverty (Dr Tina Hearn, University of Birmingham) |
Enrol in our ‘College without Walls’ today and get inspired by collaborative learning about faith in the public square!