Center for Anglican Learning & Leadership (CALL)
Online Courses
CALL’s online courses are offered throughout the year and are designed so that you can participate at your own pace and at your own time.
Each course is 7 weeks, each week a separate lesson. Continuing Education Units are offered at the rate of 2 CEUs per course. Students from across The Episcopal Church and beyond join experienced online instructors in creating a classroom environment of respect and mutual learning.
- Courses are open to anyone, lay or ordained, of any denomination or none.
- Review our FAQ’s for more information about how online classes work.
- All courses are subject to cancellation should the minimum registration limit not be met.
- Contact the CALL office via email or at 510-204-0727 with any questions.
Course fees:
$210 Standard Rate
$185 Association of Episcopal Deacons Rate
Introduction to Pastoral Care
June 13 – August 1, 2016
The bedrock for parish ministry, no matter what the size of the congregation or the staff size, is pastoral care. It is central to the ministry of Jesus. There are numerous examples in scripture that his primary focus was the caring of/for people. Jesus responded to need. He sought to heal, teach, inspire and to give purpose and direction to those who came to him in search of that which was important to their on going existence.
This course will explore the examples in scripture of what we now call pastoral care. Students will look at what forms pastoral care takes in the parish setting and in the community, as well as the changing cultural times that impact how we perform pastoral care. The course will look at the limitations, legal and social, that impact those who do pastoral care, and will use a mix of readings, case studies, online discussions and reflections.
At the end of this course, students will have:
A clear understanding of pastoral care and its importance in parish life.
A clear understanding of the ways pastoral care can be expressed.
A clear understanding of the limitations based on your training as to what you can do in pastoral care. Students will know the guidelines by insurance companies and their own judicatory restrictions.
Students will be able to reference additional resources to assist with particular pastoral problems.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Kwasi A. Thornell
Dr. Thornell was ordained a Priest in the Episcopal Church, May 31st, 1972. He has served his ministry in urban settings in Detroit, New York City, St. Louis, Mo, Washington, DC, Columbus and Cincinnati, OH. He was Canon Missioner at the Washington National Cathedral, Canon Vicar at Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati and served the national church on the Executive Council for six years. He retired in 2004 to go into education. In 2007, he and others founded the Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, a diocesan private boys school in Washington, DC, where he served as Administrator and Chaplain. Canon Thornell retired a second time and moved to California. He continues to serve the church as a supply priest and in interim positions. He has worked at the Next Step Learning Center in Oakland as the Community Outreach Specialist and Mentor. Canon Thornell is married to Jacqui Love Marshall. They have three children and six grandchildren. Currently he is Interim Rector at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Oakland, CA.