Education & Training
Posted Monday, September 29, 2008
Episcopal Divinity School Announces January Courses
Continuing Education Students Welcome
This January, Episcopal Divinity School is bringing back some of its most popular courses and offering them in intensive formats. Whether one is interested in studying scripture, worship, antiracism, local ministry development, globalization, or English spirituality, EDS meets those needs by offering a diverse selection in its January term.
Scheduled from January 5 to 16, 2009, January term courses meet five days a week for a minimum of two hours per day, allowing students to earn full graduate course credit in an intense one or two-week period. Short-term housing and meal plans are available for students enrolling in the January term. Continuing Education students are welcome.
“A special treat this year is the liturgical practicum offered by the Rt. Rev. Michael Peers, formerly the primate of the Anglican Church in Canada,” said The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Academic Dean of Episcopal Divinity School. “The practicum will cover the basics in Anglican and Episcopal congregational practice such as baptisms, weddings and funeral, and is an ideal opportunity for educators, seminarians, or the newly ordained.”
January 2009 courses include:
Psalms and Worship examines the Psalms in their original contexts in ancient Israel and how they have been used liturgically and musically by Jews and Christians since the beginning of the Common Era. Taught by Dr. Gale Yee, this course will be held from 10:00 am – noon, Monday through Friday.
Liberating Bible Interpretations Antiracist, etc.: Approaches to Reading Scripture asks the questions: What makes an interpretation of the bible liberating? For whom? When? Where? The class will explore how various stages of racial identity development and awareness present challenges to our reading of the texts and each other, in order to develop antiracist and other anti-oppression strategies for preaching and teaching from Scripture. Critical Race Theory and Critical White Studies shall inform our primary focus on racial identity of “white” readers while also looking at other culturally dominant features of identity in the interpretive process of biblical texts. Taught by Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque, this course will be held from 1:00-3:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Introduction to the New Testament introduces the literature of the New Testament in its historical, social, and theological context. Attention will be given to learning basic exegetical techniques. Taught by Dr. Lawrence Wills, this course will be held from 3:00-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Liturgical Practicum encompasses the nuts and bolts of enacting the various liturgies of the church. Training for practical worship and musical leadership is affected through confronting the structure and meaning of the rites as enacted and by expanding students’ facility for leading worship by means of vocal and movement exercises. Taught by The Most Rev. Michael Peers, former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, this course will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Understanding and Encouraging Local Ministry Development is a one-week introduction to dimensions of ministry development led by practitioners and theologians. As a learning community we will explore together ways that ministry development can strengthen parish leadership and vitality. Taught by Dr. Fredrica Harris Thompsett, The Rev. Margaret Babcock, and The Rev. Rayford Ray, this course will be held from 1:00-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
English Spirituality is a survey course that will introduce students to key figures and texts in the history of English spirituality from the fifth to the 21st centuries. Topics such as monasticism, religious movements, spiritual practices, saints and mystics, parish life, will be examined within their historical context. Reading in primary texts will be required; students will be asked to interpret texts both as historical sources and from the perspective of ministry and their own spiritual formation. Taught by The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, this course will be held from 10:00 am – noon.
Eros, Sexuality, and the Spirit asks: what has sexuality to do with spirituality? Why are Christians afraid of eros? Why is it difficult to talk about eros and sexuality in the church? Why are mainline denominations preoccupied with issues of human sexuality? What has the erotic to do with our spiritual practice? This course introduces recent writings on these issues, including novels, autobiographies, theological, and spiritual writings. Taught by Dr. Kwok Pui-Lan, this course will be held from 3:00 am-5:00 pm.
For more information about courses and fees, visit the EDS website at www.eds.edu or request a catalogue at 617-868-3450×507. To register, contact Penny Kohn, Registrar, at 617-682-1525, or at
Special pricing is available for Ministers-in-Vicinity – New England clergy, lay religious professionals, and graduates from an accredited theological school. For short-term housing, please contact Penny Smith at
or 617.682.1593 to reserve, as housing is limited.
Episcopal Divinity School is a respected center of study and spiritual formation for lay and ordained leaders with a strong commitment to justice, compassion, and reconciliation. EDS, formed in 1974 with the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School (founded in 1857) and Episcopal Theological School (founded in 1867), offers doctor of ministry and master’s degrees, as well as certificates in theological studies. Located on an eight acre campus just a few blocks from Harvard Yard, EDS is a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium of nine eminent theological schools, seminaries, and departments of religion.