The Sophia Course: A foundation in Christian eco-spirituality and discipleship
The Sophia Course (or Wisdom Course) is a seven-month spiritual formation programme with a focus on creation-attuned spirituality. It is designed to engage body, soul, and spirit, blending theological and practical teaching with hands-on activities, social time, and contemplative prayer. It is for anyone seeking to explore and grow in Christian discipleship in a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges. The course integrates the modern eco-wisdom of our eco-education programme, Living Gently on the Earth, with the ancient wisdom of Christian spirituality and theology, and with eco-spirituality practices shaped through our well-established Sacred Garden activities and Worship in the Garden. Sophia involves both a commitment to participate for the whole course, rather than just a part of it, and a ‘rule of life’ aimed at (i) instilling patterns of daily prayer, and (ii) learning to walk gently on the earth.
The Sophia Course 2026 Programme
Theme |
Theology |
Bible text(s) |
Practical application (LGotE) |
Contemplative practices (option) |
1. Wise Foundations – 18th April 2026 |
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A Wisdom approach to God and creation |
Proverbs 8:22–31 |
Economics: Foundations for a wise economy |
Introduction to contemplation |
2. Origins – 16th May 2026 |
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Creation Out of nothing |
Genesis 1:1—2:3 The Seven Days |
Climate: Living a low carbon lifestyle |
A hermit’s life |
3. Humanity in the Community of Creation – 13th June 2026 |
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Humanity in the community of creation |
Psalm 104 - The community of creation |
Living in harmony with life: diet and animal welfare |
The welcome prayer |
4. Land – 18th July 2026 |
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Earth as God’s covenant partner |
Various texts: God, people, land |
Stewardship of land and sea |
Gratitude |
5. Monastery Day at Mucknell Abbey – choose from either 8th or 22nd August 2026 |
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Lectio Divina |
6. Eco-justice – 19th September 2026 |
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Catholic Social Teaching and eco-justice |
Amos 5 - Social justice
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Eco-justice: the social implications |
The prayer of abandonment |
7. Hope – 17th October 2026 |
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Destiny: the future of creation |
Rom 8:18–27 |
Activism: acting for a changed world |
Heartfulness |
About the Course
The Rule of Life - For the duration of the course, we commit to undertake to live by a Christian eco-spiritual ‘rule of life’ as a key part of the formation. The rule of life is a relatively simple generic ‘rule’ with scope for participants to nuance it to fit their own personalities, life-demands, and callings. It has been developed and refined with the help of the participants from the first course. The rule has four core components:
- A Daily Office: a commitment to pray and read Scripture at least once a day.[1]
- A commitment to be present for at least six of the seven learning days.
- A commitment to grow in our own green living.
- Change the world: We encourage each participant to seek to discern over the year which eco-issues may be a focus for their own active engagement.
Between Sessions - As we only formally meet once every month, we offer the option to join Worship in the Garden between our gatherings. (Worship in the Garden takes place at 2.30pm until 3.45pm on the first Sunday of each month.) This is not a requirement for the course.
Contemplative Practice - We are committed to providing opportunities for contemplative practices in each learning day, as a route to engaging with God and nature, so we will provide opportunities to develop these aspects of spirituality. We have also included one Monastery Day in the course, at the Benedictine monastery of Mucknell Abbey.
Course Fees - There are no course fees! However we would appreciate voluntary donations towards the work and ministry of the Cathedral. Suggested donations, for those who are able, are c.£50-100, but we would be happy to accept more! We will provide a baked potato lunch for each of the 6 Learning Days which we expect to be at a separate total cost of c.£30 (i.e. c.£5 per learning day). You will have to bring your own lunch on the Monastery Day, and can do so for all the sessions, if you so wish. Teas and coffees will be provided.
[1] An online Morning Prayer with an eco-spiritual orientation is offered to any course participants who wish to join. It runs from Monday to Friday at 7.30am.
Contact
If you are interested in participating in the 2026 Sophia Course, get in touch with us:
The Revd Dr Robin Parry: robinparry@worcestercathedral.org.uk
Canon Staffan Engström: ecogroup.staffan@worcestercathedral.org.uk
Tutors
The Revd Dr Robin Parry (right) is Minor Canon for Eco-Spirituality at Worcester Cathedral and an academic books editor. He is author of several books, including Christian Eco-Spirituality: An Outline (Cascade Books, 2025)
Canon Staffan Engstrom (left) is Lay Canon and member of Chapter at Worcester Cathedral. He is a founding member of the Cathedral’s eco-group having worked for many years as an engineer, corporate executive, and strategy consultant, including in sustainability and community.
Key Elements of the Course
Worcester Cathedral is an award-winning centre for Green training and education, covering spirituality, lifestyle, and campaigning (2024 Church Times Green Church Awards). We run a wide set of programmes of eco-education and eco-spirituality designed to enable people to engage with the vital issues around eco-integrated spirituality and creation care. There are four main strands in eco-education and eco-spirituality, plus the Green Fair, which is an eco-initiative aligned with the others:
Living Gently on the Earth
Living Gently on the Earth is our programme concerned with the practical issues of green and generous living. At the same time, it is an outreach programme, designed to appeal to both secular and faith-based participants, enabling them to appreciate Christian perspectives. Since winning the Church Times Green Churches Award in 2024, the programme has developed from a series of individual, one-off events, into a teaching programme with a defined syllabus.
Living Gently on the Earth
Sacred Garden
Sacred Garden is an informal outdoor gathering in which there is opportunity for engaging with God’s presence in creation, through art, gardening, wild craft/skills, or silent contemplation. It is not a service of worship, though it is an event of Christian spirituality.
Sacred Garden
Creation Theology
The Sophia Course (or Wisdom Course) is an immersive, holistic, integrated, spiritual-formation programme designed to engage body, soul, and spirit, and blending theological and practical teaching with hands-on activities, social time, and contemplative prayer. The course runs over a year, integrating the modern eco-wisdom of Living Gently on the Earth with the ancient wisdom of Christian spirituality and theology, and with eco-spiritual practices shaped through Sacred Garden and Worship in the Garden. Sophia includes the opportunity for an online daily office.
Creation Theology
Worship in the Garden
Worship in the Garden is a creation-attuned service of Christian worship that takes place in hidden gardens within the grounds of Worcester Cathedral. Services include some elements that one might expect (such as prayer, Bible readings, and Holy Communion) and others that one might not (such as space for extended silence, engaging the natural world around us, and gardening).
Worship in the Garden
Green Fair and Eco Cathedral
Green Fair. The Green Fair is resourced from the same core of volunteers and is a well-established annual community event, showcasing green initiatives from around the city. It is enabled by the Eco-team’s strong contacts in the community.
Green Fair/ Eco CathedralComments from previous participants
“It’s helped fuse my concern for the environment with my faith. Dedicating a year to the course felt a big commitment to me but the regularity of morning prayer together with the days at the cathedral has helped deepen this change.” — Guy
“Going deeper into the theology of creation was awesome and inspiring. Original thinking... Loved it!” — Anita
“I have found it to be a really wonderful experience, and I have learned so much.” — Abi
“Good to meet with other Christians who believe caring for God's creation is valid priority in our witness to the world.” — Terry
“I have enjoyed all of the course and from my point of view would not change it.” — Lynda
“Thoroughly enjoyed it and thank you.” — Sue
“I really enjoyed and was encouraged and enlightened by every aspect of the course. I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up but I really enjoyed every part. The atmosphere was non-threatening, relaxed and friendly.” — Vanessa
“Amazing and Enlightening.” — Anon
“Great times in the garden...with cake.” — Anon