For information about all upcoming events, see our calendar below. Alternatively, expand the menus below for information about individual events.
Methodist Studies Seminar – 28 March
The next Studies Seminar will be held at Lincoln College, Oxford on 28 March 2026. It will also be a celebration of 300 years since John Wesley became a Fellow of the College. A draft programme can be found here, and you can register for this seminar by completing this registration form.
Women and Methodism – Contested Identities, Past & Present
Join us for an engaging day of discovery as we uncover the vital, sometimes overlooked and undervalued, roles women play; have played; and will play in the life of the Methodist Church and the communities it serves. From Susanna Wesley, the so-called “Mother of Methodism”, through to today, women have always been at the forefront of the movement. Whether the pioneering preachers of 19th century Primitive Methodism; the educators of the Wesleyan tradition; modern leaders; or the mothers, wives, tea-makers and those less celebrated in traditional scholarly debate, the importance of women within the Church’s three century history, and for the growth and future of the Church, cannot be overstated.
This day’s seminar offers the opportunity to explore stories of struggle, empowerment and leadership. We will explore:
- The Early Pioneers: Women navigating the complex social and ecclesiastical barriers of the late-1800s to lead, teach, and preach.
- Learning from Example: From listening to present-day leaders, and enabling conversation, this day seminar will inform, and provide examples of the lived experiences of women associated with the Methodist Church in present-day Britain.
- Modern Reflections: Bridging the gap between heritage and the present day, with insights from contemporary female presbyters on the ongoing journey toward equality and representation.
About our Events series
Methodist Studies Seminars
This bi-annual seminar series was established in 2012 and now includes partnerships with the Manchester Wesley Research Centre; the Wesley Study Centre, St John’s College, Durham University; Wesley House, Cambridge; Cliff College; and The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham.
Additional information about this seminar series can be found on the Manchester Wesley Research Centre’s website.
The John Wesley Lecture
Please note that there will not be a John Wesley Lecture at Lincoln College in 2026.
Held annually, this lecture is delivered by a non-Methodist scholar, and invites them to explore a theme linked to John Wesley and/or early Methodism, in relation to their subject specialism. It is organised in collaboration with Lincoln College, Oxford (where John Wesley was a Fellow from 1726) and Wesley Memorial Church. A list of former speakers, their lectures, and where to read/listen to them, can be found below.
Past Lectures
Refresh & Renew Seminar Series
Women and Methodism: Contested Identities, Past & Present
About the Series
A new series introduced in 2025/26, this occasional series of seminars is aimed at Methodist ministers, local preachers, lay staff and church members, and seeks to open up interesting themes for discussion and reflection.
The first seminar, by Professor Bev Clack, explored issues around ageing and fellowship within the Church. The second seminar, on 3 February, was delivered by Revd Dr Martin Wellings, and explored Methodist Union (1932). The third, and final, 2025/26 Refresh&Renew seminar will be on 23 May, and exploring ‘Methodism and Women’.
Westminster College Oxford - Research 