COURSE: Liquid Faith

Liquid Faith led by Ian Bradley
Friday 25th -27th April
Rates below. Book on 01244 532 350 or email [email protected]

Water plays a central role in Christianity and in all the world’s religions – it has often been taken as a metaphor for faith – flowing and yet still, yielding and yet in full spate. Ian Bradley leads a weekend which asks what message the booming interest in wild swimming might have for the churches, and explores holy wells, sacred watery sites and spas in Wales and elsewhere. ‘Watery’ images and metaphors in the Bible, in poems and in theological texts will be shared and discussed, as will examples of liturgical innovations making use of water. 

The weekend will include a visit to Holywell, a unique and evocative place of pilgrimage based around an early medieval holy well.   

Ian Bradley is Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History in the University of St Andrews and well known as a preacher, retreat leader, writer and broadcaster. He is the author of 46 books, including Water: A Spiritual History; Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria: The Hidden History of Spas and Water; and Water Music: Making Music in the Spas of Europe and North America and five best-selling studies of Celtic Christianity. 

Please note there is an optional visit to the National Shrine of St Winifrede at Holywell on the Saturday afternoon. Once you have made your booking we will be in touch regarding this. There may be a (hopefully small!) additional cost.  

Day 1

5pm Welcome and introductions

6pm Dinner 

7.30pm Session 1: Heeding the wild swimmers and the water drinkers: An Introduction to Liquid Faith 

Day 2

9.45am? Session 2: Water in the Bible and in world faiths

11am Coffee break

11.30am Session 3: Holy springs and wells in the Celtic and Welsh tradition with a special focus on St Winifrede’s Well, Holywell

12.45pm Lunch

2pm Optional Visit to Holywell

5.45pm Dinner  

7.15pm Public Lecture: The Last Enchanted Places? The Mid-Wales Spas 

Day 3

9.45am Session 5: Water as a metaphor for death and what lies beyond it

11am Coffee break

11.30am Session 6: The Age of Aquarius – looking to the future 

1pm Lunch and departure

Residential rates (includes breakfast, two course lunch with tea or filter coffee on Saturday and Sunday and a two course dinner with tea or filter coffee on Friday and Saturday) 

One delegate in a single ensuite: £407 (or £359 with a student, clergy or Society of Authors discount)
Two delegates in a twin or double: £627 (or £565 with discounts)
One delegate in a double or twin occupancy: £477 (or £415 with discount)
One delegate and one non-delegate guest in a twin or double: £577 (or £515??with discount) This rate includes food (two courses plus tea or coffee) for the non-delegate on condition that they eat with the group.