Take the following non-university, short-term courses singly, for your own interest, or toward the Lay Certificate in Theology. There are no prerequisites; we are happy to offer lay people this opportunity to take special interest courses in a wide variety of topics. All courses meet at Huron University College.
If you choose to take the following courses toward the Lay Certificate, you will complete a project successfully at the end of each course to earn a course credit. This year, we are offering both full courses and half-credit courses.
Accumulate 10 full credits, and you will receive the Lay Certificate.
$125 per full course, unless otherwise stated in description
Click here for Registration Form(pdf file) or contact us for a form. Please register at least 10 days before beginning of course.
Instructor: The Rev. Christine Jerrettmore
This course will explore the ways in which learning to pray the way the psalmist prays forms us as individuals and enables our congregations to claim a missional identity.
Dates/Time: Mondays, September 21, 28, October 5, 19, 26, and November 2, 2009; 7-9 p.m.
Room tba, Huron
please call 519-438-7224, ext. 289 or email srice@uwo.ca, and we'll save you a spot!
Instructor: Dr. William Acres more
Room: Classroom A6 (enter at side entrance by Information Desk)
By examining a montage of video clips from such films as Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, discover where faith and mythology meet. How do we distinguish fact from fantasy? Why is that important? A "two thumbs up" exploration.
Cost: $65 (half-course)
Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010; 9:30 am-4 pm
Instructor: Archdeacon Ken Anderson more
A practical course in the basics of preaching and storytelling, suitable for all denominations. How to access material. How to prepare. How to speak evocatively and project one's voice. How to become more comfortable speaking to groups. Most importantly, how to help transform lives through the spoken word. Especially valuable for Lay Readers, Deacons, Pastoral Visitors, Members of Lay Worship Teams.
Cost: $125
Dates/Time: Saturdays, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 2010; 10:30 am-3:30 pm, Classroom W8
Instructor: Canon Bill Cliff more
Being informed by Scripture is, in all of our denominations, vital to growing in Christ. But has your personal study of Scripture become tired? Have your Bible Studies Groups become flat? Join Bill as he explores new and graceful ways of opening up God's word. Program designed for clergy, lay leaders and youth with a view to looking at Scripture through fresh lenses.
Cost: $125
Dates/Time: Mondays, Feb. 1,8,22, March 1, 2010; 7-9 pm; Classroom W6
Instructor: Mary Shamley more
Explore the fundamentals of conflict, including its dynamics and implications in congregations and in the wider society. We love our neighbour, and we go to war. How do we make sense of this contradiction? Or can we? Together we will explore theological and other views of conflict, examine conflict resolution theories and practice and investigate the concepts of mercy, justice, peace and truth. Our search will address the issues of forgiveness and reconciliation, their place within the Old and New Testament tradition and our understanding of how these concepts apply in today's world. This course is open to everyone who is fascinated and puzzled about how and why conflict exists.
Cost: $125
Dates/Time: Tuesdays, Feb. 2,9,16, 2010, 7-9 pm; and Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10 am-4 pm; Classroom W104
Instructor: Archdeacon Ken Anderson more
Most clergy and laity are hardworking, faithful, worshiping people. So why is it that so many of our churches continue to stagnate? Ken has spent a lifetime in parish ministry and has wrestled with understanding faith in light of contemporary culture. What is called for is not necessarily more "faithfulness" but more awareness of how to engage that culture without diminishing the faith, how to expand our metaphors while holding true to Scripture and Tradition. Excellent for clergy and lay of all denominations.
Cost: $125
Dates/Time: Thursday Evenings, March 4 and 11, 2010, 7-9 pm.
Instructor: Archdeacon Ken Anderson more
People in various levels of ministry frequently feel as though they are spinning their wheels. Whether you are lay or ordained, regardless of denomination, come and discover why some practices work, others fail. Leave, empowered to help your congregation grow. We look at some worship, outreach and hospitality programs which come with a guarantee of being stimulating and successful!
Cost: $65
Date/Time: Saturday, March 6, 10:30 am-3:30 pm.
Instructor: Helen Battler more
St. John of the Cross offers us a wise and rich way to discern the characteristics of "the dark night" experience in our spiritual lives which is a powerful crucible of spiritual transformation. This 2-day course will invite reflective practice to integrate personal and pastoral experience into this critical area of ministry, focussing on the how we recognize a "dark night" experience and exploring the art and skills needed to navigate with ourselves or another through this mapless journey. St. John of the Cross's writing entitled, Dark Night of the Soul, translated by Miribai Starr will be the core course reading. Miribai beautifully weaves her own integration of Buddhist and Christian wisdom into her translation of St. John's rich study making it very accessible for the contemporary reader. Suggested supplemental reading is Gerald May's, Dark Night of the Soul.
Cost: $125
Dates/Time: Saturdays, April 17 and May 1, 9:30 am-3:30 pm.
Dr. William Acres, a church historian, specialises in English and European history and culture. Widely sought after as a guest speaker (Paris, Granada, Chicago....), Bill has been working on the creation of a computational database program for the mapping of knowledge networks in historical communities.
The Ven. Ken Anderson has 36 years of experience growing congregations. He has also served as camp director, lectured in Church History and Systematic Theology (in the Caribbean) and is currently Interim Field Education Director at Huron University College, where, in the large first-year class, seven different denominations are represented by the students. His recent book of sermons "Face to the Sunshine" has sold out of its third printing.
Helen Battler is a Spiritual Care Specialist for the London Regional Cancer Program. She has led many workshops and retreats focusing on women's issues, spirituality and palliative care. Her several publications include "Soul Food for Mothers and Grandmothers." Helen has a passion for dance, mime and theatre.
The Rev. Canon William Cliff, the Chaplain at Huron University College, is well-known through the Canadian Church as one of the acclaimed "Three Cantors." His passions and expertise include liturgy, music and interpreting scripture in fresh, life-giving ways. Bill has been involved with the national youth program "Ask and Imagine" and has served on the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
The Rev. Christine Jerrett is Lead Minister, Central United Church, Sarnia. She is finishing up a D. Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia with a focus on the challenges churches face at the intersection of the gospel and culture.
Mary Shamley received an M. Div from Huron College in 1973, and a Master of Arts in Theology in 2009. She has maintained a mediation and consulting practice for 20 years. Mary currently is the Co-ordinator of the Spiritual Ministries Network for the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates. Her volunteer career has included 10 years in municipal politics and the development of volunteer expertise in health care and governance through various local, regional and provincial board positions for over 30 years. She is an active member of Christ Church, Newbury.
The Rev. Dr. Todd Townshend, a parish priest in the Diocese of Huron, is lecturer in Homiletics at Huron University College. His current research is focused on the sacramentality of preaching. Widely read, his interests include the theological interpretation of scripture, preaching and doctrine, and theologies of grace.
