Jacky Sewell

The role that spirituality plays in healthy human development has long been returned to popular dialogue, with The  New Zealand Curriculum placing
spirituality within the health and physical education domain, together with Sir Mason Durie’s four-fold Whaiora model of spiritual health. In this lecture, Jacky Sewell examines models of spirituality from around the Pacific and proposes that spiritual well-being is enhanced and made more resilient when constructed on a wide foundation; that is, engagement with human community, global concerns and belief in God, as well as the engagement of the complete person – their cognitive, affective, spiritual and physical capacities.  Thus, it is the integration of spiritual concerns that constitutes spiritual well-being. 

In addition, the ability of visual art to bring together the totality of human consciousness places it at the forefront of carriers of rich, resilient spirituality. In this lecture Jacky demonstrates this with examples taken from her recent research among Maori, Tongan and Pakeha 14-year-olds.

Rev'd Dr Jacky Sewell is a pastoral theologian, ministry trainer, retreat director and religious art specialist, whose years working with teenagers fuelled her passion for art as a powerful vehicle for faith, and whose Russian and Middle Eastern Orthodox family origins fuel her passion for iconography.  

After 22 years in education and training for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa-New Zealand, holding both regional and national positions including seven years on the faculty at St John’s Theological College as well as lecturing for the University of Otago, Jacky has recently graduated with a PhD in theology (From Sight to Insight: art as a catalyst for spiritual well-being).  Jacky continues to teach and write into the areas of pastoral theology, art and spirituality, and spiritual formation.

Tuesday 21 April 7pm