Ship of Fools: Which theological college...

Thread: Which theological college... Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by newcastle-anglican (# 17759) on :

So I've been seeing the DDO for past year and am hoping to maybe get to a local and possibly a BAP sometime in 2014/15... i know its probably early but I was wondering about colleges lately.

I'm a fairly liberal catholic, pro-women and gay...
I haven't got a first degree.
Can cope with all sorts of worship.

My thoughts are...

Westcott - I like the idea of it, having visited it once I didn't love it, and I may feel out of my depth in Cambridge... possibly? is it as cliquey as I imagine?

Mirfield - It's better geographically for me... but I don't know about the whole monastic rhythm... and wearing the cassock etc alot... but I like the idea of popping into Sheffield. But could it be suffocating?

Staggers - Bit of a curved ball... I love oxford, it may capture the inner anglo-catholic in me, I think after hearing such terrible things from people, and meeting some staggers people, I wonder if I would despite everything quite enjoy it.

Cuddesdon - I don't drive, am not married or have a child... would this be a disadvantage. Practically not having a car would I feel isolated there?? The diversity would suit me though.

I have a few queries...

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

Welcome to The Ship, newcastle-anglican.

There is a long-running thread on vocations which includes some discussion of colleges.

I will have a backstage mumble with my co Hosts as to whether Heaven is the best place for this thread.

Firenze
Heaven Host

Posted by PD (# 12436) on :

With your CV I would guess you would be most comfortable at Westcott, and least comfortable at Staggers. However, the thought occurs - have you considered Queen's Birmingham? That might be a good fall back for you. Liberalish, middle of the road, and not conspicuously straight.

PD

[ 16. July 2013, 22:48: Message edited by: PD ]

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :

quote:
Originally posted by newcastle-anglican:

Mirfield - It's better geographically for me... but I don't know about the whole monastic rhythm... and wearing the cassock etc alot... but I like the idea of popping into Sheffield. But could it be suffocating?

It's many years since I was trained, and I don't know much about any of the colleges. But I know the Community at Mirfield and have observed the college from outside, and it certainly attracts a wide variety of students: men and women, married and single (doubtless also gay and straight), full-on anglo-catholic, liberal and evangelical.

What would attract me would especially be the monastic rhythm. It would ensure that my personal spirituality was in step with that of the whole church and would help me survive spiritually once in a parish with its conflicting demands. The liturgy at Mirfield (which the college frequently shares with the Community ) would train me to understand the purpose of any worship I might be involved in, and also demystify elaborate ceremonial by understanding its basically simple structure.

Cassocks cover a multitude of sins!

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

quote:
Originally posted by PD:
With your CV I would guess you would be most comfortable at Westcott, and least comfortable at Staggers. However, the thought occurs - have you considered Queen's Birmingham? That might be a good fall back for you. Liberalish, middle of the road, and not conspicuously straight.

PD

I would also endorse Queen's. Living in Birmingham would make transport without a car very easy, and going by how many SCM (Student Christian Movement, uber-right-on student organisation) friends go to Queen's I'd say it would be very gay-friendly. It is a joint Anglican and Methodist college so not very high church, but very accepting of high church people.

I would also endorse Mirfield. Most of my ordained or approved for ministry friends have been to, attend or will attend Cranmer, but my A-C, liberal and pro-women priest went to Mirfield and enjoyed it very much. Also, as the niece of a nun (and someone who is very similar to you, from what you've said), the monastic rhythm is very much a blessing, even if becoming a monastic isn't for you.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

Yes, we think this thread should join its big sister in AS.

Firenze
Heaven Host

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