PLEASE NOTE: Each term a tech fee of $75 will be assessed to every student who is enrolled in one or more 10-week courses. (This does not apply to those auditing courses). For instructions on how to register for our courses, click here.
Summer Term (Begins Week of June 1)
FACULTY: The Rev. Dr. Collin Cornell
This online class introduces the most important theological words of the Old and New Testaments. Students will learn about the three original languages of the Bible—mostly Hebrew and Greek, but also Aramaic—and the terms in each language that are most important for understanding Scripture’s message about God. Increase your biblical word power through readings, lectures, and class discussions. Students will also learn how to use online tools and resources to enrich their study of biblical words. The class will be fun, engaging, and useful for preaching, teaching, and personal discipleship. It also serves as an accessible entrée into SSFM’s biblical languages course offerings.
FACULTY: Kevin Barron and Dr. Marion Schwartz
Using the framework of the Episcopal Church’s “Becoming a Beloved Community” this course on antiracism will lead participants through four pillars rooted in the Baptismal Covenant: Telling the Truth about the Church and Race; Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community; Practicing the Way of Love; Repairing the Breach in our Churches; and Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions. The course is designed to provide future and current leaders of the church with the knowledge and background to combat the sin of racism as an integral component of our Christian formation, particularly focusing on dismantling systemic racism within and outside of the institution of the Church. This course defines racism as the combination of racial prejudice, racial discrimination, and power and not the bad acts of misguided individuals. The Beloved Community is defined as one that seeks and promotes justice for the least among us.
FACULTY: Dr. Deirdre Good
This 10-week online course is an introduction to and exegetical study of the gospel of John. Attention is given to the literary character, narrative techniques, and theology of the fourth gospel. Please acquire a copy of Robert Kysar, John the Maverick Gospel. 3rd Edition. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2007.
FACULTY: The Rev. Dr. Deirdre Good
This can be taken as a companion course to the Gospel of John. By learning Greek over the course of 10 weeks you will bring Jesus of the New Testament into sharper focus through the gospels in particular, and the New Testament generally. This course will provide a window into the world of Jesus in which Greek was the common language, and the Hebrew Bible was widely read in Greek. You will also learn to use Greek language tools.
FACULTY: The Rev. Jane Miron, The Rev. Kate Harrigan, The Rev. Hank Morrow
The basics of baptism will be explored through an offering of 3 different four-week online modules. Baptism engages our Christianity as our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has taught us: “Becoming Christian is following in the footsteps of Jesus, taking his teachings seriously, letting his Spirit take the lead in our lives, and in so doing helping to change the world from our nightmare into God’s dream.” Baptism Basics has many applications: it can be used as a four-week module for baptism preparation, all three modules as a part of a confirmation class, or Module III as a way for discerning gifts and leadership.
FACULTY: The Rev. Jane Miron, The Rev. Kate Harrigan, The Rev. Hank Morrow
This introductory course focuses upon biblical and theological understandings of Christian education and community formation for discipleship and mission. It explores techniques, tools, and technology for improving the effectiveness of those who teach and those who learn in a congregational setting. Teaching in your local parish is an energizing way to spread the Gospel. Sharpen your teaching skills. Create Bible studies. The course will prepare you to evaluate curriculum and engage planning tools for Christian education designed for discipleship, mission, and evangelism.
FACULTY: Faculty: The Rev. Ingrid Anderson, Dean Robyn Szoke-Coolidge
This introductory course focuses upon biblical and theological understandings of Christian education and community formation for discipleship and mission. It explores techniques, tools, and technology for improving the effectiveness of those who teach and those who learn in a congregational setting. Teaching in your local parish is an energizing way to spread the Gospel. Sharpen your teaching skills. Create Bible studies. The course will prepare you to evaluate curriculum and engage planning tools for Christian education designed for discipleship, mission, and evangelism.
Our Episcopalian life is centered upon three core elements: Scripture, tradition, and reason. From the moment of our baptism, we begin to deepen our understanding as we mature into our faith, learning more about scripture and tradition, and being able to apply our reason. How will we mature in that way unless there are those in our parish community who are able to teach us? Learning should not end with confirmation! Lifelong Learning should be a joyful, vitalizing part of every Episcopalian parish – and being an educator is the calling of the laity as much as it is the calling of the clergy.
FACULTY: The Rev. Canon Dr. Jay Geisler
Pastoral Care is the broad inclusive ministry of mutual healing and growth. This course is for all pastoral caregivers, for those who are fulfilling a call to tend to the sick, and those who make pastoral visitations in your congregation. Engage in the discovery of Anglican Pastoral Theology, knowing that through pastoral care spiritual grace is given as a sure and certain way to love and serve the world that God loves.
