This course will examine the major social trends, movements, and theologies which affect contemporary American society, in the context of world society. Racism, black theology, human sexuality, liberation theology, environmental issues, the drug culture and the challenges of cultural diversity will be discussed.
Starting with the Baptismal mandate for serve and mission, this course will explor the connections between discipleship and ministry. Participants will reflect upon the presence of the Paschal Mystery in their lives and their call to service through the use of a spiritual autobiography, veratims and an examination of how faith has been handed on to them and how they witness their faith to others and to the world.
This course examines the Book of Common Prayer, Occasional Services, and other Episcopal liturgical resources with particular interest in the theology of Anglican liturgy and its historical applications dating from the time of the Early Church to the present. Particular attention will be given to the role of the Deacon in each of these liturgies.
This third-year "last period/last class" in spirituality acts as a "bookend" to the first year introductory "Spiritual Journey" course for both laity and those on the diaconal/ordinal "track." It is both a personal and small-group journey that revisits, illumines, and enlarges the various paths of prayer, in order to (re)recognize and (re)appreciate the various "shapes and contours" of the Christian prayer landscape." Its objective is to help participants experience and deepen intimacy with the living, experiential God; to encourage them to undertake a more intentional "metanoia" of self and life through self-emptying; and a call to "lived prayer" that will help them build up the body of Christ, the Church, and ultimately help them effect positive change and God’s will in and for the world.
The course format will include a variety of four-fold (body, soul, mind, and spirit) "how-to" methods and means of praying, plus reflection upon "how do" these contours of the Christian prayer landscape affect the overall prayer journey. It also will implement ways in which individual participants are called to "be prayer" in the world today.
