Practicing Christian: Theology and Practice of Christian Youth Formation

Instructor:  Dr. Jennifer Snow

What does it mean for young people to become "practicing Christians?" In this course, students will examine theological, and practical issues for ministry with youth, with special attention to the challenges of connection to church in an increasingly secular society.

Richardson cites "huge gifts as teacher, scholar, dean of chapel"

Earlier this month, Professor Lizette Larson-Miller notified President Richardson that she will conclude her time at CDSP in January 2015 after teaching in the intersession.

"Lizette has served at CDSP and the GTU for 15 years, and she has left a huge mark on this institution through her gifts as teacher, scholar and dean of the chapel," said Richardson at a recent community meeting. "We can never estimate the impact that faculty have in shaping the lives of those who enter their classrooms, who study and research with them as mentors. Lizette, you will have left a mark on many students over the course of your career here, and we can only pray that the next phase of your vocation will build on this in beautiful ways and that you and those you serve will thrive together."

Positions in Old Testament, ethics now posted
 

At the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature meeting in San Diego in November, CDSP will interview candidates for two open faculty positions.

A position in Old Testament will be housed at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and shared by Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. "We seek a scholar in early career who bridges the line between the academy and the church, and an engaging, dynamic teacher who can draw students into the task of relating biblical texts to Christian life and ministry in the world," reads the job description. 
 

A position in ethics will be housed at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and shared by CDSP. "We seek an engaging and dynamic teacher who bridges the line between the academy and the church, and is eager to engage in the extensive processes involved in forming students for ordained and lay ministries," reads the job description.
 

Later this month, CDSP will also announce an opening for a new faculty member who will oversee extended learning and continuing education and teach practical theology. Watch the CDSP website to learn more.

In August, Church Publishing Incorporated published in English and Spanish "Daily Prayer for All Seasons,"a new single-volume daily office. CDSP faculty members Lizette Larson-Miller, Ruth Meyers and Louis Weil contributed to the volume.

Eight years in the making, "Daily Prayer for All Seasons" was compiled by a diverse group of pastors, teachers and spiritual leaders across the Episcopal Church at the direction of General Convention. The book is organized by liturgical season and includes a one- or two-page service for each of the eight canonical hours. Its prayers present a variety of images of God and use inclusive and expansive language.

"Daily Prayer for All Seasons" is "a call to prayer that sounds through the hours of our days and nights, revealing God with us as the seasons turn," said Sara Miles, director of ministry at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco and author of "Take This Bread" and "City of God." "This generous book is simple and rich at the same time, full of beauty and shaped for use. May it open the prayer of those who pray alone and deepen the prayer of groups."

Learn more about "Daily Prayer for All Seasons," which is available in English and Spanish and in print and ebook versions.

This summer, Steve Sibbitt, CDSP's superintendent of buildings, grounds and security worked with students Gyllian Davies, Jeff Dodge and Lauren Lukason to rebuild the pond in the garden outside of the Denniston Refectory and Classrooms A and B. The garden is a favorite spot for contemplation and small group gatherings.

"First, we spent hours, day after day, scooping out algae," said Davies. "Then, we got some fish, scored some plants, built rock hidey-holes, got more plants like water lilies. Finally, we prayed for the herons to stay away!"

Now that the pond is restored, the team hopes to landscape the courtyard of Nichols Hall Apartments.

In August, the CDSP faculty held a retreat to work on the seminary's curriculum review process. The consultant to the project, Israel Galindo, associate dean for lifelong learning at Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, facilitated the retreat. The curriculum review process will be completed during the 2015-2016 academic year, and the new curriculum will be implemented in the fall of 2016.

In September, Professor Bradley Burroughs led a two-week course at Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Oakland) on "Christianity and Political Engagement."

Alums

The Rev. Katharine Flexer '97 has been chosen as the 11th rector of St. Michael's Episcopal Church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a 207-year old Episcopal church. She is the first woman to hold the position. Flexer, who begins her new position on December 14, is currently rector of The Episcopal Church in Almaden, California. Read more.
 

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