The love of neighbour is a calling for all disciples of Jesus—we are commanded to it. But by framing it as “pastoral care,” we have often reserved this ministry to “pastors” and separated it from daily life. We will identify and practice a range of pastoral care skills, including reflecting on the elements of caring …
View course details “Presence, Paying Attention and Prayer: Pastoral Care Fundamentals”

The Diaconate is an online course for deacons, deacons in formation, and those wishing to be better grounded in a sound understanding of The Sacred Order of Deacons including especially, members of local discernment committees and members of Commissions on Ministry. The course will consider the history of the Order of Deacons—what is helpful and what is …
View course details “The Diaconate”

Anger is a serious problem for all of us, no matter what we do or where we live. It is behind the violent behavior we hear about on the news; it is one of the causes of self-destructive addictions; it wrecks many intimate relationships; it animates the harm we do through gossip and negative talk …
View course details “Defusing Anger – 2023”

We get up in the morning, eat breakfast, go to work or school, and come home again. Most likely sometime during the day we will also be disappointed about something. “The main emotion of the adult American who has had all the advantages of wealth, education, and culture is disappointment,” novelist John Cheever once wrote. …
View course details “Dealing with Disappointment – 2023”

The Hebrew Bible contains three books that are concerned with “wisdom” as their primary object. These are the books of Proverbs, Job, and Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes). These books are remarkable for the fact that they never mention Israel and are concerned with humanity at large. Two other wisdom books are included in the Catholic canon and …
View course details “Biblical Wisdom: An Online Bible Study”

Do we have a festival for you! We are thrilled to present to you ….drum roll please…….our 2024 online festival of biblical telling: Sustained by the Story: Biblical Telling for Times Like These. Mark the dates:   Feb 2-4, 2024 This year, we are asking: Why is it so important to have a Story – a sacred Story – …
View course details “Sustained by the Story: Biblical Telling for Times Like These (Online Festival)”

What is the future of small congregations (the fastest growing segment of North American Christianity)? Join us for lectures, workshops, worship, and conversations that will inspire your leadership; and receive practical, usable wisdom for giving your congregation a future. This year’s keynoter Will Willimon has been listening to pastors and congregations in hundreds of American churches and has a hopeful, Christ-centered word …
View course details “Looking Forward: Church, Hope, and the Future of Congregations”

For Those Who Want to Learn or Deepen the Practice of Group Spiritual Direction Whether you are new to Group Spiritual Direction, wish to explore it further, or are seeking support and guidance for forming a group, please consider joining us for this virtual workshop on Zoom. Participants will experience Group Spiritual Direction (GSD) each …
View course details “Group Spiritual Direction Level 1 Workshop”

How can we prepare for our death? This five-session workshop provides you with an opportunity to give a gift to those who will be taking care of your affairs, fulfilling responsibilities that must be discharged when you die. The workshops will cover some of the nuts and bolts such as required documents, your digital estate, …
View course details “Ending Well”

Taking its title from Romans 8:22, this class will explore the biblical, theological, and moral bases for Christian solidarity with the various movements for a sustainable future. Using novels and films, alongside scientific and theological writings, we will discuss the different social and natural systems that are accelerating climate change and what kinds of possibilities …
View course details “The Whole Creation Groans: Preaching Good News in the Age of Climate Change”