Drawing from the Deep Wells
About the conference
Drawing from the Deep Wells: Informing Contemporary Spirituality
A Conference in Honour of Philip Sheldrake
April 8–10, 2027
The Waldegrave Suite | St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK
In Person & Online
For more than four decades, Philip Sheldrake has helped shape the study of Christian spirituality, showing how the wisdom of the tradition can speak meaningfully to the questions of each generation.
Drawing from the Deep Wells: Informing Contemporary Spirituality honors that legacy by bringing together an exceptional international group of theologians, scholars, and spiritual writers—including Philip Sheldrake, Rowan Williams, Timothy Radcliffe, Ron Rolheiser, Amy Maxey, Bernadette Flanagan, and Michael Hahn.
Over three days, these distinguished voices will explore a question at the heart of Sheldrake’s work: How can the deep wells of Christian tradition inform the spiritual life of our time? Together, they will consider what the tradition offers to a world that is fragmented, restless, and searching—and how its wisdom can be received faithfully and creatively today.
Scholars, students, spiritual directors, clergy, ministers, and anyone drawn to the study and practice of Christian spirituality are warmly invited to join us in Twickenham or online for this special gathering.
Conference Schedule
All times are local UK time.
Thursday, April 8
7:00 PM | Keynote: Ron Rolheiser |
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Friday, April 9
9:00 AM | Philip Sheldrake |
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10:45 AM | Rowan Williams |
12:00 PM | Lunch |
2:00 PM | Amy Maxey |
3:30 PM | Michael Hahn |
5:30 PM | Social |
6:00 PM | Dinner |
Saturday, April 10
9:00 AM | Timothy Radcliffe |
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10:45 AM | Bernadette Flanagan |
12:00 PM | Lunch |
Registration
In Person
Early Registration: $225 USD through December 31, 2026
General Registration: $275 USD beginning January 1, 2027
Online: $150 USD
Ticket prices are in U.S. dollars. Processing fees are paid by the ticket purchaser.
Distinguished Presenters
Bernadette Flanagan, PhD
Dr. Bernadette Flanagan (PhD) is a researcher and practitioner in applied spirituality studies at Southeast Technological University, Ireland, where she leads the Spirituality in Society and the Professions research group. She has led the development of academic spirituality in Ireland since 2000 and consults widely on spiritual care and practice across healthcare, education, aging, addiction, and leadership. She co-edited The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies and has supervised numerous PhDs and MA theses. Her research explores Celtic indigeneity, contemplative practice, pilgrimage, and the inner development goals for sustainable development.
Michael Hahn, PhD
Michael Hahn leads the postgraduate programs in Christian Spirituality at Sarum College. He earned degrees in theology and ecclesiastical history from the Universities of St Andrews and Oxford, including a PhD in early Franciscan mystical theology from St Andrews in January 2020. Before working at Sarum, Michael taught theology and medieval studies at the universities of St Andrews, York St John, Toronto, and London. Michael holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Assessment in Higher Education from York St John University, which granted him Associate Fellowship of Advance: HE [formerly: Higher Education Academy]. As of April 2024, Michael has been Senior Editor of the journal Franciscan Studies.
Amy Maxey, PhD
Amy Maxey currently serves Oblate School of Theology as the first Rolheiser Chair in Spirituality. Dr. Maxey’s research specializes in Christian mysticism, feminist and womanist theologies, and contemporary Catholic systematic theology. Her work on mysticism spans the historical tradition, from patristic sources until the early modern period, with a particular focus on medieval women mystics. Her work also critically investigates modern and contemporary theoretical frameworks for understanding mysticism, particularly from a feminist perspective.
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe OP
Cardinal Timothy is a well-known preacher and speaker, and former Master of the Order of Preachers. He was ordained a Cardinal by Pope Francis in December 2024. In addition to being an Official Fellow, Cardinal Timothy was Director of the Las Casas Institute from Easter 2014 to Easter 2016 and continues to be a member of the Institute’s Advisory Board. Educated in Paris under Yves Congar and at Oxford, he has written books translated into 24 languages. He was awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing in 2007. He is an Honorary Doctor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and has honorary doctorates from twelve other universities, including Fribourg, Georgetown, and the Angelicum. He is also a consultant to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He is a Sarum Canon of Salisbury Cathedral and a Freeman of the City of London.
Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
Fr. Ron Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and founder of the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality. He is a theologian, professor, and award-winning author, and served as president of the Oblate School of Theology. Apart from his academic knowledge in systematic theology and philosophy, he has become a popular speaker in contemporary spirituality, religion, and the secular world. He writes a weekly column that is carried in over 70 newspapers around the world. Fr. Ron's specializations are in systematic theology, philosophy, Augustine mysticism, and spirituality.
Philip Sheldrake, D.Min.
Philip Sheldrake is a Senior Research Fellow in the Cambridge Theological Federation (Westcott House) and former Director of the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality at the Oblate School of Theology. Previously the Leech Professor of Applied Theology at Durham University, he taught at Cambridge and London University and now teaches on the Historical foundations of Christian Spirituality at Oblate School of Theology. He has taught and written extensively on Christian spirituality, the nature of space and place in religion, the urban, and spirituality more generally; Sheldrake is the past president of the International Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He trained in history, philosophy, and theology at the universities of London and Oxford, and was granted a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2015.
Archbishop Rowan Williams
Archbishop Rowan Williams is a Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian, and poet who served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012). Educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, and Wadham College, Oxford, he was the youngest Oxford professor of divinity at 36. Before Canterbury, he served as Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales, making him the first archbishop in centuries appointed from outside the Church of England. His spiritual writing—Silence and Honey Cakes, Passions of the Soul, The Edge of Words—incorporates Eastern monasticism, contemplative prayer, and rigorous theology into an accessible, intellectually robust vision of Christian life.
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