“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” ~ Albert Einstein
Open to anyone who is curious about Christianity or who longs for a re-imagining of what it means to be a follower of the Way, the ancient term for Christians.
Much of the Christian imagination is still shaped by a medieval, pre-scientific picture of a fixed and static universe — one that hasn’t yet caught up with Darwin, Einstein, or Hubble. This journey is an invitation to explore what Christian faith might look like once it opens itself fully to an evolving, unfolding cosmos where we awaken to the light of divine love shining through all matter — in us, and in the sacred earth.
Our guide will be Sr Ilia Delio — scientist, Franciscan sister, and award-winning theologian — and her book ‘The Emergent Christ’. We will use a distinctive set of principles and practices to guide our reflections and interactions as a group. These Circle of Trust® ‘touchstones’ help create gracious, trustworthy space for individual and group exploration. We will explore the themes that arise from the book through meditation, poetry, stories, music and art, silent individual reflection and exploration in small groups, as well as opportunities to share and listen to others in the whole group.
When: We gather on the second Thursday of each month, 7pm–9pm UK time, from November through April: Thursdays 12 November, 10 December 2026; 14 January, 11 February, 11 March, 8 April 2027.
Where: We’ll be a hybrid group, online on Zoom so open to you wherever you live and also an in-person option at the Church of the Good Shepherd Vicarage, Shoreham Beach, BN43 5LF.
Who: Group size is limited to maximum 30 participants, to keep the circle intimate, including an option for up to 14 people to meet in-person at the Vicarage on Shoreham Beach. Your hosts, who are also fellow participants, are John Watters, (Revd) Jane Bartlett, Rita Garner and Dom Elton.
Donations: We aim to keep our events accessible to a wider range of people. We appreciate those who are able to pay the supporter fee as this enables us to also offer supported tickets for those on lower incomes. Please choose the ticket that reflects your financial circumstances. Participants need their own copy of ‘The Emergent Christ’, available second-hand from Abe Books and other outlets.
Before joining: Please check that you can attend a minimum of five of the six sessions including the first session, so the group can build trust and continuity together. If you’d like to gather in-person at the Vicarage on Shoreham Beach, please email info@centreforspirituality.org
This group and series stands alone and you may wish to participate in this winter series as a preparation for Walk the Story of the Universe retreat, 27 -30 May 2027, Hilfield Friary, Dorset, UK For more details about our May retreat please visit couragerenewal.org/programs/walking-the-sacred-story-of-the-universe/
The Center for Courage & Renewal and its facilitators do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
