The Diocesan Certificate in Biblical and Theological Studies starts again in September and runs through to July with 30 sessions on Wednesday evenings, 6.30-9.00pm both at the Cathedral and in Croydon Parish Church.

It is given mainly by lectures, with some group work, and four short written assignments - one per subject area. There are ten sessions per term and students can take different terms in different years with a minimum commitment to attend one complete term at a time. The cost is £30 per term (which can be waived in the case of hardship).

The areas covered are:

• The Bible (14 sessions): What is the Bible? How did it get put together? What is the background to its various writings? How true is it? How do we deal with its difficulties and contradictions? How do we relate the Bible to our faith and experience today?
• Doctrine (6 sessions): What do I mean when I say the Creed? How does it connect with my daily life and belief? How do I understand God? How can Jesus be both God and human? What does it mean to say Christ died for our salvation? What does it mean to be a person? What is the Trinity all about? What happens when we die?
• Ethics (5 sessions): What is good and what is right, and how do I know? Do you have to be Christian to be good? How is my faith relevant to today's moral questions: the beginning and ending of life; work, money and politics; justice and peace? How do I try to make moral decisions?
• Worship and Spirituality (5 sessions): Where does our worship come from? What is really going on at a baptism, the eucharist, the occasional offices? What do we mean by 'spirituality'? What resources are there in history and tradition to help us grow in prayer, devotion and spiritual maturity?

For further details and an application form please contact Sue Maree, Diocesan Training Administrator, on 020-7378 7506, email: sue.maree@southwark.anglican.org.