The aim of this course is to facilitate the empowerment of social ministry in the
congregation. Topics include leadership dynamics, working with volunteers, a consideration of our contemporary American society, discussion of social ministry as compassionate service and advocacy, a look at the history of social ministry in the Episcopal Church, and discussion of the underlying ethical, scriptural, theological and spiritual foundations of social ministry.
In addition to readings and videos, the main assignment for the course is an analysis of the participant’s congregation involving a study of the identity and history of the congregation, the social context and openness to diversity, the past and present social ministry of the congregation–all leading to suggestions for future development of social ministry. This work of analysis will require observation of the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood, reading of literature (websites, parish history, census data), and interviews with parishioners and neighbors.
Instructor: Sr. Pamela Clare Magers
Sr. Pamela Clare, CSF, is a member of The Community of St. Francis, a religious order for
women in the Episcopal Church. She has a Ph.D. in Anthropology and an M.A. in Creation
Spirituality. She has many years of experience in Hispanic Ministry and is on the faculty of
The Episcopal School for Deacons in Berkeley, where she teaches Social Ministry. She is a
certified massage therapist who works with poor and homeless people at various social service agencies in San Francisco.