Ottawa School of Theology & Spirituality Winter Term 2018

January 8, 2018 - March 19, 2018
Ottawa ON
Canada

Ottawa School of Theology & Spirituality

Winter Term 2018 (January 08 – March 19, 2018)

 

First-hour courses (7:30 – 8:20 p.m.)

Course G: Mystic and Prophet: the spirituality of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross: Rev. Canon Allan Budzin
The Rev. Canon Allan Budzin is currently a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. As a former member of the Carmelite Order, he has wide experience with Carmelite spirituality

This course will examine the origins, themes, and social contexts of Carmelite spirituality.  It begins with an examination of the history of the Carmelite Order and its place in the Mendicant movement. Special attention will be given to the spirituality of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross and their relevance for contemporary journeys of faith.
Course H: How the Church Was Born – A study in the book of Acts: Rev. Stanley Hanna
The Rev. Stanley Hanna is the pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Aylmer and a regular lecturer at the OSTS.

Acts tells us the story of what happens after Jesus leaves the planet.  Up next, the Holy Spirit! Now the fun begins as we follow the account in Luke’s famous sequel.

Course I: Temptation:  Fr. Maxime Allard, O.P.
Fr. Maxime Allard, O.P., lecturer in philosophy and theology at and president of Dominican University College

In the Old Testament, Israel is tempted and is said to tempt God.  In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as undergoing temptations at the beginning of his mission.  In the letters of Paul and other writings of the New Testament, different forms of temptations of Christians are addressed. Anthony, an early Christian monk in the Egyptian desert, is presented in literature and art as the paradigm of the tempted Christian.  These lectures will explore the experience of “temptation” from its biblical representations to current theological understandings.  Are they still relevant? How do these representations, ideas and ideals shed light on the complexities of human existence in relation to God?

Second-hour courses (8:40 – 9:30 p.m.)

Course J: Faith Through the Pens of Women Writers:  Sharon Hamilton, Ph.D
Dr. Sharon Hamilton has taught classes on literature at universities in Italy, Austria, Canada, and the United States;  including at Georgetown University. Her most recent published work on American literature appears in Teaching Hemingway’s Modernism. She has taught past OSTS classes on drama, the visual arts, and poetry.

This class will explore the personal faith journeys of great female writers across church history, from the medieval mystics Margery Kempe and Hildegard of Bingen to the contemporary poet and essayist Mary Oliver, who declares – “When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.”  The course will showcase women’s unique perspectives on spirituality by examining poetry, essays, songs and short stories, by such writers as Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Madeleine  L’Engle, and Flannery O’Connor and via guest readings by contemporary local artists.

Course K: Spiritual But Not Religious – Hearing and Responding to Young Adult Spirituality:
Rev. Tom Sherwood is a Minister with the United Church of Canada and has served as Campus Minister at Carleton University and studied the spirituality of young adults  as part of his as part of his appointment as McGeachy scholar.
Tom’s recent book, “Listening to The Echo”, quotes hundreds of thoughtful, spiritual, ethical young adults as they explain why they reject the religious institutions of their families. They are the “Echo Generation” – the children of Baby Boomers, the Echo from the Boom. But they do not echo their parents’ opinions or values. They express a new spirituality in their beliefs and practices. Time will be spent alternating between examining aspects of this and considering possible responses.”

Course L: Would You Want Jesus as Your Financial Adviser:  Rev. Paul Dillman, Brien Marshall

Rev. Paul Dillman is Minister at Riverside United. Brien Marshall, B. Comm, Certified Financial Planner is in his 26th year at Tradex Management Inc., a not-for-profit mutual fund manager and dealer, he is currently Sr. VP Operations and Financial Advisor.
Jesus spoke a lot about money, wealth and possessions. Those teachings are challenging ones to understand in our 21st century economy. This course will wrestle with Jesus’ words and seek to discern values and principles that may translate into how we live with our money.