Course Description
Church and Christian faith practices are in the midst of critical sea-change made all the more intense and unsettling by the Covid 19 pandemic. Navigating this contemporary cultural change presents opportunities and challenges for effective Christian discipleship, to re-imagine and experiment in both ancient and new vessels. This course will use biblical and theological perspectives combined with insights from history and the social sciences to provide portals through which to understand and engage with an increasingly disruptive environment. It will include exploring a range of creative expressions of Christian life for both individuals and communities this Advent, and equip people for spiritual renewal in diverse local contexts.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Church and Christian faith practices are in the midst of critical sea-change made all the more intense and unsettling by the Covid 19 pandemic. Navigating this contemporary cultural change presents opportunities and challenges for effective Christian discipleship, to re-imagine and experiment in both ancient and new vessels. This course will use biblical and theological perspectives combined with insights from history and the social sciences to provide portals through which to understand and engage with an increasingly disruptive environment. It will include exploring a range of creative expressions of Christian life for both individuals and communities this Advent, and equip people for spiritual renewal in diverse local contexts.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Online Practical Theology Short Courses
with Trinity College Glasgow & Theology & Religious Studies, University of Glasgow
CREATIVE WRITING AS SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
Tutor
Liz MacWhirter is a poet, novelist, essayist and theologian. Her PhD in Theology through Creative Practice (University of Glasgow) explored trauma theology and theopoetics. Published books include a YA gothic novel, 'Black Snow Falling' (Scotland Street Press, 2018), and her debut poetry pamphlet 'Blue: A lament for the Sea' (Stewed Rhubarb Press, 2025). Liz is a Scottish Book Trust Live Literature Author and has spoken at the Edinburgh International Book Festival; Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Oxford and Yale; many arts festivals and grassroots settings. She is currently writing a commission for the Saltire Society exploring John Muir in the Anthropocene while in residence as the Etchells Fellow at St John’s College, University of Durham. Liz enjoys all forms of culture and walking the coast around her home in Scotland.
Course Description
This course will enable and support the use of creative writing as a means of theological reflection upon personal, spiritual and contemporary experience. Each week participants will engage with key texts, undertake writing exercises, produce their own creative writing and share their work within small groups. By the end of the course they will have produced a piece of creative writing and a critical reflection on this for assessment and/or feedback. This course takes a trauma-informed approach. The ethos of the course will be supportive, participatory and require the engaged, respectful participation of all members.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Timetable & Duration
This course will run from 20 January 2027.
This course will take place online Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm. This course will be taught over 9 weeks (including a one-week break) via meetings & instruction and after class activities.
Introduction to the course
This course will provide the opportunity to:
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Provide a supportive environment in which participants will develop their own writing practice.
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Consider various models of theological reflection upon personal, spiritual and contemporary cultural issues through creative writing.
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Critically engage with key texts on theological reflection through creative writing.
By the end of this course participants will have:
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Produced examples of creative writing and have received feedback on their work from peers and the course tutor.
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Employed various models of theological reflection in their creative writing.
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Developed an awareness of a number of key themes and issues explored in the literature on reflective theological writing
Course information
This course is conducted online. The directed online instruction will be explored in weekly real-time conversations along with materials and interaction using the learning platform, Moodle. Microsoft Teams as an online meeting tool will be used for the real-time conversations and online group times. Access to Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 suite will be supported through your institutional login, which you receive upon completion of academic and financial registration on the course. More information about the use of these will be provided once enrolled.
Learners may choose to undertake assessments, and thus qualify for 10 credit points towards a Higher Education certificate or Glasgow University approved theology programme, or may engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit without the final assessments.
Cost
£207*
*Priority Area subsidy available for this course. Please contact TrinityCollegeGlasgow@gmail.com for more information.
Sponsorship or subsidies may also be available through your own church for training or study purposes and we encourage you to approach them with the details of the course.
How to Apply
Applications will formally open in autumn 2026. Notify your interest now via email: TrinityCollegeGlasgow@gmail.com.
Applications close on Friday 11th December 2026 at 5pm.
If you are applying to access a short course online from the UK or internationally, please ensure you have communicated with trinitycollegeglasgow@gmail.com outlining briefly your interest in the course and any experience relevant to the course you are applying for including any former higher or further education. This will help us to ensure you are able to achieve your goals and enjoy the short course experience.
These courses are delivered through the University of Glasgow. We will contact you with more information and guidance regarding applying, completing your details and payment in time for the course start date. If you have any questions regarding the process, you can contact us on the above email address.
If you have any difficulties with this process – please contact Kirsty Pattison (office administrator) at: