Farmington Institute for Christian Studies
Encyclopedia
The Farmington Institute for Christian Studies is based at Harris Manchester College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford
in the United Kingdom
. Dr Ralph Waller
is both Principal of the College and Director of the Farmington Institute.
, to support, encourage and improve Christian education in schools
, colleges
and universities
. The idea for founding the Institute came to him during the World War II
, when he was serving with the Grenadier Guards
. He decided that if he survived the War he would do something to make the world a better place. Although severely wounded, he did survive, and so set up the Institute.
resource centres and organising conferences
for teacher
s of Religious Education
. Wills then decided to offer Farmington Fellowships, a form of education
al scholarship
, which allowed teachers of Religious Education to have a term out of school giving them time to research a relevant topic at a university. The Institute pays for all incidental expenses, including providing a replacement teacher in the Fellow's school. The Farmington Fellows present the results of their researches in an annual summer conference which is held in Oxford
at Harris Manchester College.
Having been awarded Millennium
Grants in 1997 and 2000, the Institute is now able to offer Farmington Fellowships to primary and secondary school
teachers of Religious Education, teachers of RE to children with Special Educational Needs, as well as headteachers. The Institute also gives Fellowships to the British Armed Forces
to undertake research into moral and ethical leadership. The Farmington Papers, provided free to members of the Institute, are aimed at RE teachers and others interested in theological
and religious
subjects. Conferences and seminars are arranged periodically.
The Institute is ecumenical
in its Christian
outlook and takes a particular interest in developing good relationships with other world religions.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Dr Ralph Waller
Ralph Waller
The Reverend Dr. Ralph Waller is Principal of Harris Manchester College, Oxford and Director of the Farmington Institute for Christian Studies....
is both Principal of the College and Director of the Farmington Institute.
Origin of the Institute
The Farmington Institute was founded by the late Hon. Robert 'Bobby' Willis, a member of the West Country tobacco family W.D. & H.O. WillsW.D. & H.O. Wills
W.D. & H.O. Wills was a British tobacco importer and cigarette manufacturer formed in Bristol, England. It was one of the founding companies of Imperial Tobacco.-History:...
, to support, encourage and improve Christian education in schools
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
, colleges
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
and universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. The idea for founding the Institute came to him during the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when he was serving with the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
. He decided that if he survived the War he would do something to make the world a better place. Although severely wounded, he did survive, and so set up the Institute.
Aims of the Institute
Originally the Institute was instrumental in setting up regional REReligious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
resource centres and organising conferences
Meeting
In a meeting, two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal setting.- Definitions :An act or process of coming together as an assembly for a common purpose....
for teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s of Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
. Wills then decided to offer Farmington Fellowships, a form of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
al scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
, which allowed teachers of Religious Education to have a term out of school giving them time to research a relevant topic at a university. The Institute pays for all incidental expenses, including providing a replacement teacher in the Fellow's school. The Farmington Fellows present the results of their researches in an annual summer conference which is held in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
at Harris Manchester College.
Having been awarded Millennium
Millennium
A millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
Grants in 1997 and 2000, the Institute is now able to offer Farmington Fellowships to primary and secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
teachers of Religious Education, teachers of RE to children with Special Educational Needs, as well as headteachers. The Institute also gives Fellowships to the British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
to undertake research into moral and ethical leadership. The Farmington Papers, provided free to members of the Institute, are aimed at RE teachers and others interested in theological
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
subjects. Conferences and seminars are arranged periodically.
The Institute is ecumenical
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
in its Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
outlook and takes a particular interest in developing good relationships with other world religions.