This online class introduces biblical Hebrew for the sake of Old Testament preaching, teaching, and personal study. Students will learn the Hebrew alphabet, essential Hebrew grammar, and important theological vocabulary, and they will become familiar with online tools and resources. The class will be fun, engaging, and enriching for all who desire a deeper understanding of Hebrew Scripture in its original language.

The New Testament is clear that the proclamation of God’s Reign (or Kingdom) is at the heart of the Good News. But what exactly did Jesus mean when he preached that message? And what connection (if any) is there between what Jesus preached and the communities of Jesus followers that Paul established? What can our study of this teaching mean for our churches today? These are the questions that we will explore in this class by reading key passages from the Gospels and Paul’s letters, as well as current scholarship related to these questions.

This ten-week course, taught by Dr. Joshua Davis, will be offered via Zoom on Mondays from 5:30 – 6:30 pm EST beginning June 3rd and ending August 5th. The enrollment fee is $150 to audit or $375 to receive course credit.

This course will explore concepts of race and ethnicity in the Hebrew Bible in three ways: 1. Analyzing concepts of race/ethnicity in biblical materials in the context of the ancient world. 2. Reading biblical interpreters who foreground ethnic identity in their interpretation of biblical texts. 3. Histories of how the Bible has been used in discussions of race in the US. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to reflect theologically on how race impacts their own reading of the Bible and the theological resources of the Bible for racial reconciliation.

The first part of this course deals with those background issues necessary for a proper understanding of the sacred texts, including inspiration, inerrancy, canonicity, biblical history, and how the reader is to interpret biblical texts. The second part of the course applies these concepts to a study of the Pentateuch, concentrating on Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy.

Becoming Beloved Community 2 builds upon the learning about systemic racism from the Becoming Beloved Community 1 course. Theological reflection will be the primary means through which we explore how to live into our identities as antiracists. We will take a deep dive into our formation as disciples and how that influences our fight to eliminate systemic racism.

This 10-week course will be an online Zoom meeting, hosted on Tuesday evenings, 7-8:00pm. The class will begin on Tuesday, August 22nd and end on October 24th.

The instructors will be the Rev. Kevin Barron and Dr. Marion Schwartz.

Registration is free for those in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Registration is $150 for all others.

Registration is free for those in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Registration is $150 for all others. Register for this event on EventBrite.

Using the framework of the Episcopal Church’s “Becoming Beloved Community” this course on antiracism will lead participants through four pillars rooted in the Baptismal Covenant: Telling the Truth about the Church and Race; Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community; Practicing the Way of Love; Repairing the Breach in our Churches; and Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions. The course is designed to provide future and current leaders of the church with the knowledge and background to combat the sin of racism as an integral component of our Christian formation, particularly focusing on dismantling systemic racism within and outside of the institution of the Church. This course defines racism as the combination of racial prejudice, racial discrimination, and power and not the bad acts of misguided individuals. The Beloved Community is defined as one that seeks and promotes justice for the least among us.

This 10-week course will be an online Zoom meeting, hosted on Tuesday evenings 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The class will begin on Tuesday, May 28, and ends on July 30.

Registration is free for those in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Registration is $150 for all others.

SSFM is dedicated to the lifelong learning and discernment processes of all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and beyond. If the cost would prevent you from participating, please email ssfm@diocesecpa.org for a discount code.

Registration is free for those in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Registration is $150 for all others. Register for this event on EventBrite.

This introductory course focuses on biblical and theological understandings of Christian education and community formation for discipleship and mission. It explores techniques, tools, and technology for improving the effectiveness of those who teach and those who learn in a congregational setting. Teaching in your local parish is an energizing way to spread the Gospel. Sharpen your teaching skills. Create Bible studies. The course will prepare you to evaluate curriculum and engage planning tools for Christian education designed for discipleship, mission, and evangelism.

Our Episcopalian life is centered upon three core elements: Scripture, tradition, and reason. From the moment of our baptism, we begin to deepen our understanding as we mature into our faith, learning more about scripture and tradition, and being able to apply our reason. How will we mature in that way unless there are those in our parish community who are able to teach us? Learning should not end with confirmation! Lifelong Learning should be a joyful, vitalizing part of every Episcopalian parish – and being an educator is the calling of the laity as much as it is the calling of the clergy.

Scholarship funds to help you pay for this course are available if you can demonstrate need and if you are a member of a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA.  For information on scholarships, please contact the Dean.

Sign-up for this and any 10-week courses on Populi. Find a quick how-to video here.  Don’t have a Populi login? Send us a quick email.

This course will explore principles and best practices for designing worship that works. The full breadth of the Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship, The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, and other liturgical and musical supplements will be discussed. The topics covered include the liturgical year, the Eucharist, Baptism, Lenten and Holy Week services, and special services. Special attention will be paid to smaller-resourced parishes.

Scholarship funds to help you pay for this course are available if you can demonstrate need and if you are a member of a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA.  For information on scholarships, please contact the Dean.

Sign-up for this and any 10-week courses on Populi. Find a quick how-to video here.  Don’t have a Populi login? Send us a quick email.

Designed to lead you to read the New Testament itself, New Testament Survey provides essential historical and cultural background information and carefully examines the content of each book in the New Testament.

Scholarship funds to help you pay for this course are available if you can demonstrate need and if you are a member of a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA.  For information on scholarships, please contact the Dean.

Sign-up for this and any 10-week courses on Populi. Find a quick how-to video here.  Don’t have a Populi login? Send us a quick email.