We often think of aging gracefully as “looking old, but still holding on” or “showing signs of aging, but still moving forward with life.” Aging gracefully is not all about age or appearance, but also about the attitude we have as we go through the various stages of life. Explore how our feelings about aging …
View course details “Aging Gracefully”

In the midst of what Aetna Insurance calls a “loneliness epidemic,” which has only been exacerbated by a global pandemic, with political polarization of historic magnitude wearing away connections, we could all use a primer on how to build robust community. Blessedly, that’s what the apostle Paul did for a living. His First Letter to …
View course details “The Lost Art of Community-Building: A Study of Paul’s 1 Thessalonians–Not for credit”

A chance to practice stillness, intentional reflection, and realistic goal-setting – all within a safe, supportive environment. What You Will Learn At some point we started calling it “the new normal” – as if a cute way of describing what we were experiencing would make the burden lighter. Maybe it did. But after two years …
View course details “Processing the Pandemic For Ministry”

Prayer School is a workshop that will help you form your own habit of prayer by drawing on liturgical disciplines. About this event This event is brought to you by the TryTank Experimental Lab in partnership with the department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary Two Saturdays, Feb 19 and Feb 26 10:30 a.m.-12:00 …
View course details “Prayer School: Lord Teach us to Pray”

with Mary Schertz; Professor Emerita of New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, happily living and worshipping in Elkhart, Indiana. In so many ways, western culture, with its consumptive habits and elevation of self-reliance as a virtue, is what has separated us from reading biblical texts as if our lives depended on it. This course asks …
View course details “Reading the Bible as if our lives depended on it!”

This class  will provide students with an introduction to intersectionality as a tool for social analysis and critical theological reflection, as a way to inform liberative praxis in various ministry and community contexts. We will engage questions and discussions of race, class, gender, and sexuality as they are treated theologically, emphasizing works from U.S. scholars …
View course details “Intersectionality & Justice”

with Marv Westwood, David Kuhl and Lin Langley Clergy care for others, respond to others, and cope with conflict and change on a continual basis as part of their ministries. That is only part of the service they provide. Clerical work can take its toll especially in the context of a pandemic that has resulted …
View course details “Developing Resilience and Restoring Self: Managing Stress in the Work of Clergy”

A 12-week experience of prayer, learning, and reflection, focused on experiencing God’s Presence within the normal rhythms of our daily living. This is rooted in Jacob’s realization, “Surely God is in this place!” (Genesis 28:16), shaped by the wisdom of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1619), and expressed for our contemporary lives. Join with others …
View course details “Practicing God’s Presence”

Awaken to your yearning for a different kind of presence and develop the skills, knowledge, and actions for self-transformation. The Introductory Wisdom School is a 14-week online course introducing students to the Christian Wisdom path and is designed to increase your capacity to know. Knowing in this tradition does not mean an increase in intellectual …
View course details “The Introductory Wisdom School”

Do you find it difficult to talk about the topic of death and dying? If so, you are not alone. Having discussions about your own death and the death of others brings up many uncomfortable emotions so we tend to shy away from it. This Workshop is designed to help start those conversations. An opportunity …
View course details “Death and Dying – Let’s Talk About It”