Sabbaticals at Ridley
All Christian ministry, lay and ordained, offers great opportunities and is often deeply rewarding. But it also makes great demands and the pressures can be considerable. A sabbatical at Ridley Hall provides you with time to lay down your responsibilities for a while and enjoy the 'space' of a relaxed setting.
For your needs
We aim to help you devise a program to suit your particular needs. You may be keen to pursue your own study project without any tuition; you may want to receive some guidance and tutorial help from a member of staff; you may wish to attend some courses and spend the rest of the time on your own. The Revd Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield will act as your Director of Studies, helping you to arrange your timetable and find the help you need to benefit most from your time at Ridley.
For study
Our sabbatical scheme provides you with time to read and write, to catch up with advances in different areas of academic and pastoral theology, explore new fields with leading theologians and experienced clergy. You will have full access to the resources of Ridley Hall and negotiated access to relevant resources in the Cambridge Theological Federation and the University Faculty of Divinity. For more details of resources available see the tabs below.
For reflection
The sabbatical scheme also affords an opportunity for you to stand back, and reflect with others on your own ministry and personal discipleship, so that you can return to your work with a new and stronger sense of vocation.
Arranging your sabbatical
Click the tabs below to find out more about spending sabbatical time at Ridley. To explore the possibilities further, contact Adrian Chatfield or Lizzie Allen, or submit our sabbatical enquiry form.
Setting
Sabbatical visitors are welcome to share as fully as they wish in the life of the college, including its social life and its daily worship. A ten-minute walk from the college takes you into the country, and ten minutes in the other direction takes you to the heart of medieval Cambridge with its historic colleges, including King's College with its magnificent chapel.
Sports facilities, concerts, book shops, museums and restaurants are available in abundance. Read our page for students on Living in Cambridge for more information. Our accommodation is comfortable, internet is available in every guest room, and our food is among the best. Our kitchen staff are used to catering for those with special dietary needs.
Study
Library facilities
The library facilities of Ridley itself are available to sabbatical guests, and access can also be arranged to the world-renowned resources of Tyndale House and Cambridge's University Library, as well as the University's Faculty of Divinity library, and the libraries belonging to the institutions of the Cambridge Theological Federation.
All eight libraries associated with the Cambridge-based institutions of the Federation are within walking distance of Ridley, and each has its particular areas of focus or special collections. Visit our Library facilities page to find out more.
Resident expertise
Ridley Hall's faculty team have particular fields of expertise on which we invite you to draw:
| New Testament studies | Revd Dr Michael B. Thompson |
| Old Testament studies | Revd Dr Philip Jenson |
| Prayer and spirituality | Revd Jane Keiller, Revd Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield |
| Faith and work | Revd Dr Richard Higginson |
| Practical theology | Revd Ali Walton |
| Refreshing mission, renewing the Church | Revd David Male, Revd Dr Adrian Chatfield |
| Anglicanism | Revd Canon Andrew Norman, Revd Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield, Revd Jason Ingalls |
Courses
In addition to offering guided study, through the Cambridge Theological Federation we are able to offer a very wide range of courses which you are invited to attend as you wish, at no extra charge.
They include: Mission Theology; Celtic Christianity; Eastern Orthodoxy; Spirituality; Anglicanism; Islam; Judaism.
We have very close links with the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Divinity (only three minutes away): you are welcome to attend lectures and seminars in any subject of your interest. Supervisions with University tutors can also be arranged.
Services
Churches
Cambridge has more than double the national average Christian commitment, and an unusually large number and diversity of churches in and around the city. There is a wide diversity of places of Anglican worship within walking distance of Ridley, including King's College Chapel, where choral services are held daily in term-time.
Public transport
The rail service between London and Cambridge is excellent, and you can be in the centre of London within 50 minutes of leaving Cambridge, with trains scheduled until late. The rail and bus service to the London airports is also excellent, and there are buses which go regularly to Oxford and other destinations of interest. Read our Getting here page for more information. Our page for students on local transport is also helpful.
Medical care
Should you need medical care while here there is a doctors' surgery right next door to the college and the local hospital is a world class teaching facility. If you are travelling from overseas, health insurance must, however, be arranged before you arrive, as there is a cost involved.
Fees
Current sabbatical rates are as follows:
- Per day £80 (valid until September 2014)
- Per Week £405 (valid until September 2014)
- Per month £1500 (valid until September 2014)
Prices include a study-bedroom in College, weekday meals, tuition in Ridley Hall and the Federation, and access to all College and Federation study facilities.
Reduced rates can be negotiated for those who do not require accommodation. Personal guests can usually be accommodated at an extra charge, subject to the availability of rooms. (There will be a small extra charge for supervisions with University tutors, and for attending full eight-week University lecture courses.)
A firm booking can only be confirmed after the College has received a reference from someone who is prepared to support your application. Note: There is a non-returnable deposit of 10% of the total due for all bookings.