This course will offer scriptural, historical, and theological foundations to help liturgists understand and then lead worship in a Reformed setting.

Classes held at Wycliffe College

At the core of every community developer is a commitment to transformational teaching which unleashes with in people the competencies to change their local community. Individual and group learning is possible when community members are treated with respect, fell sage to explore new ideas and can readily apply new learning to their present context. Base on both the theory and practice of adult learning and the biblical principle of discipleship, participants will step closer to peace and well-being.
This course is also valuable for lay and ordained leaders in the church who may be called to lead adult Christian education courses, focus groups or other organizational meetings.

This course will investigate the sacramental celebrations, the liturgy of the hours and the liturgical year of the Roman Rite from their historical, theological, spiritual and pastoral dimension. Requirements: class attendance, short papers and final exam.

Designed to be experienced early in the programs of all students preparing for vocational ministry, this course will provide a pathway toward spiritual refreshment, deeper commitment and disciplined living.  It will be a blend of classroom and practical experiences in the spiritual disciplines culminating in a 24 hour personal spiritual retreat.  It is not intended to be a time of learning about intimacy, commitment and spiritual discipline.  It is meant to be a week of making space for intimacy, reflection, prayer, worship, meditation, solitude, commitment and the nurturing of community. Students should be prepared to fully engage in the exercises that will be planned for the sake of their own journey with God. It is anticipated that having experienced some of these things together we will have learned some things about pointing others in similar directions. Lectures, discussion, spiritual retreat. Evaluation: pre-course reading, class participation, retreat, personal assessment.

This course will explore recent developments around the spirituality of children, and the theology of childhood as a means of reshaping and revitalizing the practice of ministry with children. Participants will discover how to be companions with children on their spiritual journey. Participants will also be trained in the Godly Play method of being with children, and upon completion will be accredited storytellers by Godly Play Canada. The course will consist of lectures, small group work, tutorials, and required reading. Participants will be evaluated on class participation, a book report, a research paper, and the learning and telling of a Godly Play story.

This course is designed to address specific personal behavioural, emotional and relational issues faced by new millennium adolescents. It is meant to prepare students who are planning to be involved in parish youth ministry for a greater level of relational effectiveness through a deeper understanding and awareness of a number of specific adolescent struggles. They will develop a greater freedom to address and discuss these issues with both adolescents themselves and the adults who intersect with the adolescent world. Class content will be presented in an accessible, practical, usable way for front-line youth workers and the volunteers on their teams.

Is it legitimate to use technology to communicate the gospel? Explores the function and use of the tools of technology in the varied ministry of the church. Asks critical questions about technology and its use. In the context of addressing issues such as virtual community, media arts and worship, internet-based ministry, Christian education and youth ministry, and spirituality online, the course seeks to equip students with skills in this new area of ministry. Discussion forums, online projects, reflections paper.

Improvisation, theatre games, mask, mime and voice work as a basis for acting and story telling in faith communities; brief histories of liturgical drama; telling and exegesis of the Story in a society that is becoming biblically illiterate; finding creative ways to present individual gospels. Evaluation: Presentation of 10-minute performance piece; written report. (Academic mentor: David Neelands)

A 400-hour supervised program to deepen and/or extend the personal and ministerial growth of IFM /MAMS participants. Several options available to students in consultation with Directors of IFM and MAMS programs. Integration paper, or Competency Interview. Pass/Fail course. For Regis IFM/MAMS students only. Prerequisites: RGP3687H and RGP3688H.

This course provides the perspectives within which the participants can identify 5 variables in their work, craft or profession that become the basis for developing a spirituality that could be deepened by the Christian tradition . Online discussions. Assignments. Written final examination.

Examination of contemporary theories of human growth and development, and the contribution that such theories offer to the understanding of religious development and the praxis of religious education. Particular attention is paid to the impact of post-modern culture on the possibility of faith today. Lectures, readings, seminar presentation (20%), two reflections (2 x 20%), integration paper (40%).

This course explores the practical and theological intersections of suffering and hope. Drawing from the Scriptures, social sciences, constructive and pastoral theology and practice, we will consider ways to understand, recognize and practice hope in the context of the devastations and suffering in life. Far from dismissing suffering  in the face of hope, this course explores the hidden intersections and discontinuities between suffering and hope and seeks out a deeper ground for hope that does not flee or obscure the trauma, grief and injustice in life, but faces it head on in theology and practice. Lectures, readings, seminars. Reflection paper, book review presentation, case study, class participation, final paper. 

This course will examine a number of core issues which impact pastoral counsellors, marriage and family therapists, and chaplains who are currently working in a variety of private and institutional contexts. A case studies approach will be used in dialogue with the most current ethical codes of conduct outlined by several major certifying and regulating bodies in the Canada and the United States, such as the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC, formerly CAPPE), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT/OAMFT), and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC). The main purpose of the course will be to foster a deepening sense of the essential nature of ethical reflection and accountability to clients, and the counselling profession in general. Evaluation: class participation, weekly assignments/quizzes, major paper. This course has been pre-approved by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) as fulfilling the ethics requirement for their certification programs in Supervised Pastoral Education Certification (CPE & PCE).

This course explores the way theological ideas become operationalized in a social movement, using El Salvador as a case study.  Students will visit El Salvador under the guidance of Chance Alas, who used the tenets of liberation theology to establish the first Christian base communities in El Salvador and continues to work on El Salvadoran religious peacebuilding.  Subjects covered include the implication of theology in the colonization of Latin America, the emergence of liberation theology and Christian base communities , and current activities in peacebuilding involving theology, economics, ecology, and Mayan and settler spirituality.  Students must attend a day of preparation, seven days of travel in El Salvador, and a day of post-travel debriefing.  This course counts as a designated elective in Church and Community OR Spirituality (at Emmanuel).

This seminar course will study the role that religion plays in psychological well-being, coping and adjustment. The approach will be both developmental and clinical. Religion's relationship to mental disorder, biologically, psychologically and socially, will be discussed. Religion's contribution to general adjustment, and its role in psychological intervention will be explored. Weekly written contributions to the seminar and final essay.

Secondary Practicum in Spiritual Direction: A two-week intensive course consisting of integration of theory and practice of spiritual direction. A model of non-residential Retreat in Everyday Life is used for this practicum. The course is the second phase of the Regis College Spiritual Direction Program. Discernment paper. Pass/Fail course. Prerequisites: RGP3661HY; 8-day directed retreat, RGP3687H, and RGP3688H. Restricted to students enrolled in Diploma in Spiritual Direction at Regis College.

This course will examine a number of core issues which impact pastoral counsellors, marriage and family therapists, and chaplains who are currently working in a variety of private and institutional contexts. A case studies approach will be used in dialogue with the most current ethical codes of conduct outlined by several major certifying and regulating bodies in the Canada and the United States, such as the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC, formerly CAPPE), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT/OAMFT), and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC). The main purpose of the course will be to foster a deepening sense of the essential nature of ethical reflection and accountability to clients, and the counselling profession in general. Evaluation: class participation, weekly assignments/quizzes, major paper. This course has been pre-approved by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) as fulfilling the ethics requirement for their certification programs in Supervised Pastoral Education Certification (CPE & PCE).

Through lecture, discussion, prayer and eco-praxis, course participants will develop a solid academic foundation in eco-theology, skills to analyze contemporary social and ethical issues in ecology, and an integration of theology, spirituality and practical applications including organic gardening to support the formation of Christian identity and mission in the world today. July 3 (7 p.m.) to July 10 (1 p.m.) with residential component.