Water & Oil: Sacraments of (Un)Belonging
A practice-based PhD exploring belonging, memory, landscape and sacrament through sound.
Water & Oil: Sacraments of (Un)Belonging is a creative practice research project exploring how podcasting can become a space for theological reflection, storytelling, and encounter. Developed as part of a PhD in Theology through Creative Practice, the seven-part audio series combines environmental soundscapes, oral storytelling, interviews, original music, and personal reflection. Through practices of deep listening, field recording, creative writing, and sound design, the project investigates how landscapes, memories, bodies, and stories can become places of belonging, transformation, and sacramental experience.
The podcast will be released in seven weekly episodes, beginning on 2nd November 2026. Listen below, or on my Substack for the episode notes and full episode transcripts.
https://sacramentsofunbelonging.substack.com
Episodes
Water & Oil: Sacraments of (Un)belonging Podcast
A Podcast about in-between places, marginality, sacramentality and (un)belonging
sacramentsofunbelonging.substack.com
Episode one – ‘Sediments’byJude Mills
Episode Notes
Location: The norman Caen stone font in (over) which I was baptised (Located in the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Brighton, Sussex, UK)
Sacramental Focus: Baptism
This is the only episode which deals with the sacrament literally
Key Themes
* Baptism as belonging and identity
* Geology, history, and spirituality
* Autism, trauma, and social transgression
* Grace and relationship with God
* Transformation, acceptance, love, and healing
* Water and oil as sacramental symbols
Guest Voice(s): Fr. Dominic Keech, Parish Priest of St. Mary & St. Blaise, Boxgrove, West Sussex
Music: ‘Etherealistic 2’ and ‘Sediments’ – Composed and performed by Jude Mills
Listen to the full music tracks on Soundcloud
Links and Resources
St. Nicholas of Myra, Brightonhttps://www.stnicholasbrighton.org.uk/church/history-of-the-church
Adult Baptism in the church of England. https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/adult-baptism Interestingly the video on this page shows a full immersion baptism which is common in evangelical churches but not in more middle of the road or Anglo-Catholic churches where the baptism will more usually take place over a font.
The Baptismal Liturgyhttps://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/christian-initiation/holy-baptism-5
About Caen stone https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/discover/heritage-architecture/architecture-in-normandy/golden-caen-stone/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacramentsofunbelonging.substack.com
Episode play icon
Episode one – ‘Sediments’
Episode Description
Episode play icon
Introducing Water & Oil: Sacraments of (Un)Belonging
Episode Description
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Episode one transcript
The Music
One of the most creatively revealing parts of this project has been returning to music (my original creative practice)
What started as an intention to record an introductory theme evolved into creating seven original pieces of incidental music. I will release the music as the episodes are released. You can listen to it below or on Soundcloud.
Research Details
Jude’s PGR profile: University of Glasgow
Research email: j.mills.2@research.gla.ac.uk
Personal email: hello@judemills.com
PhD Supervisor: Professor Heather Walton
Theology and Religious Studies. 4 The Square, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Supervisor’s e-mail: Heather.Walton@glasgow.ac.uk
Materials relating to the study have been scrutinised and approved by members of the
College of Arts & Humanities Research Ethics reviewer panel