Art, Theology, & Imagination: Prayer and "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

Thursday evenings from January 29 - February 19, 2026
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. ET
This program takes place both on site at Virginia Theological Seminary as well as online via Zoom meeting.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The poet Samuel Coleridge famously describes the Imagination as a faculty that connects us to "the eternal act of creation in the infinite "I AM". His classic poem, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is part traditional ballad, part sea voyage story, part horror story, but primarily it is a creative theological exploration around the mysteries of sin, redemption, and divine love. Theological reflection on the "Rime" has used words, performance and images, including a famous set of illustrations by the French artist Gustav Dore and a haunting series of copper engravings by the Anglo-Welsh modernist David Jones. In course sessions we will read the poem together, explore some key interpretations, including those offered by poets Malcolm Guite and David Jones, and spend some contemplative time with artists' interpretations of the poem.

The end of this four-week course will dovetail with an on-campus conference on Coleridge and David Jones on February 27-28, co-sponsored by the Center for Anglican Theological Studies and the David Jones Research Center.

In preparation, students are invited to obtain a copy of the "Rime" - online or in book form and listen to a recording of it (also easily available online.)

Visiting the Virginia Theological Seminary campus.

Contact us (LifelongLearning@vts.edu) if the cost to participate is a barrier for you.

Questions? Email LifelongLearning@vts.edu.

Learn on Your Own Time: Explore on-demand programs.

Stay in touch: Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Dr. Anne Katherine (Kathy) Grieb is an American biblical scholar and Episcopal priest. She has taught New Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary since 1994 and is currently Meade Professor in Biblical Interpretation. She previously taught at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine. She has a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Hollins University and a J.D. from Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. She has also earned a M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary and has a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University. Kathy was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in 1983. Dr. Grieb has authored many articles and book chapters related to the New Testament, theological interpretation of Scripture, and preaching. She published The Story of Romans in 2002 with Westminster John Knox. She Co-edited The Word Leaps the Gap, published with Eerdmans in 2008. She is presently writing on Hebrews and on the Sermon on the Mount.

As a college and seminary teacher, spiritual director and writer, Dr. Kathleen (Kathy) Staudt offers frequent retreats and workshops on creativity, writing and prayer at churches and retreat centers nationwide. She is the author of four books of poetry as well as two scholarly books and numerous articles on the British artist and poet David Jones. She was honored as a finalist in the 2021 Paraclete poetry contest. Kathy is a Companion in the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross (SCHC), an intentional community of women devoted to connecting prayer and action in the world. Her website is at kathleenstaudtpoet.com