Stanton Center: Spiritual Theology I

06.02.22 | Homepage

    Stanton Center for Ministry Formation

    2022-23
    Spiritual Theology I
    “Life in Christ: Ascetical Theology and Spiritual Practices”
    Syllabus

     

    An introduction to the basic elements of Christian spirituality, emphasizing the nature of the spirituality of Christian Scripture and tradition.  The course explores the spirituality of the Individual and the Christian Community using a variety of spiritual practices and techniques providing application to the student's pilgrimage. The course will include some lectures, a lot of sharing on the reading and much sharing of reflections on readings and practices.  Success is dependent on active participation, reading and writing.  

    This course will make every effort to begin to answer the following questions:

    How do I follow Christ?

    How do I understand my relationship to the Body of Christ?

    What are the expectations in scripture for a transformed life?

    What are the marks of a life lived “in Christ”?

    What are the spiritual practices used in our Christian tradition?

    What spiritual practices are suited to my journey with Christ?

    How do I share my experience with others?

    Facilitators:  Bishop Michael Smith and Patricia Mackey Stone

    Dates and Times:  Dallas, 8:30-11:30, Greenwich NY 9:30-12:30

    Beginning the 3rd Saturday in August and ending the 3rd Saturday in May with some adjustments as necessary.

    Requirements:

    1. Regular attendance in-person or via Zoom and participation in class discussions.
    2. Bring Bible, journal, and appropriate text to class.
    3. The construction and development of a Rule of Life over the time in class.
    4. Journal reflections of 200-300 words monthly consisting of life lessons that can be shared in class.

    For Credit Students:

    1. Two reflection papers of between 2 and 3 pages on the assigned readings to demonstrate what speaks to your own life with God. Each paper will have prompts for your use.
    2. A spiritual autobiography will be the final product for the class.

    Texts Required:

    NRSV Study Bible, any edition or the NET Study Bible.

    Gatta, Julia. Life in Christ: Practicing Christian Spirituality. New York: Church

    Publishing Incorporated, 2018.

    Pennington, Basil. Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures. New York: Crossroad, 1998. OR Bianchi, Enzo.  Lectio Divina: From God’s Word to Our Lives. Paraclete Press, 2015.

    Pennington, Keating, Clarke. Finding Grace at the Center: The Beginning of Centering Prayer, 3rd Ed.  Woodstock VT: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2016. 

    Chittister OSB, Joan. The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century. Crossroad, Second Edition, 2010. OR Sutera OSB, Judith. St. Benedict’s Rule: An Inclusive Translation and Daily Commentary.  Liturgical Press, 2021

    Julian of Norwich.  All Will Be Well: 30 Days with Julian of Norwich. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2008 OR Julian of Norwich.  Showings:  The Classics of Western Spirituality. (Short text or long text) New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1978.

    Williams, Rowan.  Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B Erdman’s Publishing Company, 2016.

    Thibodeaux, Mark E.  Reimagining the Ignatian Examen. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2015.

    Underhill, Evelyn, Abba.  New York: Moorhouse Publishing, 1981

    Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God.  New Kensington, PA.: Whitaker House, 1982.

    Sessions

     

    1. August 20, 2022: What happened to me at my Baptism? Where do I go from there?
    • Gatta, Life-Introduction and Chapter 1: “Reliving Christ’s Death and Resurrection”
    • Gatta, Life-“Rule of Life,” pp. 179-184.
    • Chittister OSB, Joan. The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century. Crossroad, Second Edition, 2010. OR Sutera OSB, Judith. Benedict’s Rule: An Inclusive Translation and Daily Commentary. Liturgical Press, 2021
    • Stone, Pat, Syllabus review, Handout on Rules

     

    Spiritual Practices: “Rule of Life.” and the Rule of St. Benedict. (Pat Stone)

     

    1. September 17, 2022: What is the practice of sacred reading of scripture?
    • Pennington, Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures. OR Bianchi, Enzo. Lectio Divina: From God’s Word to Our Lives. Paraclete Press, 2015.

     

    Spiritual Practice: “Lectio Divina” (Michael Smith)  

     

    1. October 15, 2022: What is contemplative prayer?
    • Gatta, Life-Chapter 4, pp 128-139: “Prayer in Solitude”
    • Pennington, et al, Finding Grace at the Center
    • Stone, Pat: “Quiet Prayer” (handout)

     

    Spiritual Practices: “Centering Prayer” to include beads, the Jesus Prayer, and the breath (Pat Stone)

     

    1. November 19, 2022: What is the mystical experience of God?
    • Julian of Norwich. All Will Be Well: 30 Days with Julian of Norwich. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2008 OR Julian of Norwich.  Showings:  The Classics of Western Spirituality. (Short text or long text) New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1978.
    • Mother Emily Hylden’s podcast. https://www.patreon.com/emilyhylden

     

    Spiritual Practices: Yoga with Emily Hylden

                            Sacred Reading and journaling, Pat Stone

     

    1. December 17, 2022: What spiritual practices are suited to my journey with Christ?

    How do I share my experience with others?

    • Williams, Being Disciples, Essentials of the Christian Life.
    • Sharing Rule of Life-all students

     

    Spiritual Practice:  Group Lectio and Eucharist: (Michael Smith)

    Lunch together

     

    1. January 21, 2023: How do I examine my life in prayer?
    • Thibodeaux, Reimagining the Ignatian Examen.

     

    Spiritual Practice: “Prayer of Examen” (Marcia Hotchkiss)

     

    1. February 18, 2023: What is the tradition in the Episcopal Church?
    • The Book of Common Prayer (please bring it to class)
    • Gatta, Life-Chapter 3: “Sanctifying Time through the Liturgical Round”

     

    Spiritual Practice:  The Use of the Book of Common Prayer for your Rule of Life, Confession and Self-Examination, Church Calendar and Liturgical Year. (Michael Smith)

     

    1. March 18, 2023:
    • Underhill, Abba.
    • Brother Lawrence, “The Practice of the Presence of God”
    • Pat Stone: “Handout-The Lord’s Prayer”

     

    Spiritual Practice: The Lord’s Prayer and the Practice of the Presence,

    (Pat Stone and Drew Crowson)

     

    1. April 15, 2023:
    • Zachery, Curtis. Soul Rest: Reclaim Your Life. Kirkdale Press, 2018.
    • Stations of the Cross handout.

     

    Spiritual Practices: Stations of the Cross, Sabbath Time, Retreat  (Michael Smith)

     

    1. May 20, 2023
    • Gatta, Life-Communion with Christ

    How do I share my experience with others?

    Spiritual Practice:  Lectio Divina and Eucharist. (Michael Smith)

    Lunch together

    Share instances of spiritual development, insights and reflections through practices, journals, and autobiographies. Consider next steps, ways to work in your churches.

    Schedule:  Monthly beginning in August 2022 through May 2023

    Times reflected for Dallas, Texas.  Times for Diocese of Albany will be one hour later. 

    8:30-9:30 Morning Devotion, Sharing of Journals

    9:30-10:30 Review of Readings, Teaching

    10:30-10:45 Break

    10:45-11:30 Spiritual Practice: Teaching and Practice