The poet Dana Gioia once asked in a book of this title, “Can Poetry Matter?” That question of course begs another question: matter in what ways? We may read poetry for any number of reasons, but this class considers how poetry nurtures, and enriches, our spiritual lives. By our close reading of poems together from …
View course details “Reading Poetry Devotionally: How Poems Nurture Our Spiritual Lives”

The Song of Songs, or “Song of Solomon,” is among the strangest books of the Bible. It is difficult to translate, hard to understand, and impossible to reconcile with moralistic styles of religious belief. The title of the course, “Locksmithing,” alludes to a famous Jewish saying that sums up both the enigma and attraction of …
View course details “Locksmithing: Unlocking the Song of Songs”

The early eighteenth-century British-American philosophical theologian Jonathan Edwards has often been called a “mystic.” Through a selected series of primary and secondary readings, supplemented by presentations and discussions, this course seeks to evaluate Edwards’ place within the mystical tradition, the contours and nature of his mysticism, and his appraisal of how mystical experience was appropriated …
View course details “Jonathan Edwards, the Mystical Tradition, and Revivalism”

All descriptions of the death of members of monastic communities in the Middle Ages have in common that music and song are part of the scenario. Nobody had to die in silence. The community accompanied their brothers and sisters on their last journey with singing. Death and dying are also important subjects in the history …
View course details “Sounds of Death and Mourning: Requiems and Funeral Songs through the Ages”

“Striving for transformation in a personal sense requires unflinching honesty about our own thinking, and a willingness to change our mind.” (Tara Swart) Human transformation and growth are common themes in the Gospels. New Testament conversion narratives tell of people who changed their lives as a result of encountering Jesus or the message of the …
View course details “A Journey of Transformation”

In these challenging times, leaders like you are facing far more than just the day-to-day responsibilities of ministry. As our communities and congregations grapple with disease, division, and disaster, it’s no surprise that you might feel yourself at the epicenter of a storm, with your personal well-being on the back burner. The numbers speak for …
View course details “Burned Out and Overwhelmed: Experiencing God’s Healing Presence on the Ancient Paths”

Lead confidently through financial uncertainty with adaptive, faith-focused solutions. Discover new opportunities for church funding as you deepen your connection with God and your community. Whether grappling with reduced offerings, seeking new income sources, or aiming to enhance your church’s outreach, ‘Funding Forward’ provides the tools and insights to move beyond the constant worry about …
View course details “Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry”

Although despair is not a new phenomenon, the rates of suicide and mental distress keep increasing. As people of faith, we must proclaim hope for the hurting in ways that are action-oriented, Christ-centered, and clinically appropriate. Join us this Spring for an empowering look at suicide, mental illness and distress, and the role the Church …
View course details “Understanding Suicide and Mental Health”

Join Roger Hutchison, bestselling author and Christian educator, on a transformative Lenten journey that is sure to inspire and encourage. In his book, The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercises for the Anxious Soul, Hutchison chronicles his personal journey following a severe mental health crisis. Roger embarks on a transformative journey that not only reignited his …
View course details “Broken Places, Learning to See, and The Color Blue – A Lenten Journey”

Recognizing that our social structures and personal biases can get in the way of commitment to respecting our colleagues and community members, this interactive workshop will engage themes of prejudice, power and privilege in a manner that honours all voices in the room while also challenging the biases and structures that privilege some over others …
View course details “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Nurturing a Community of Belonging”