The Development of the American Prayer Book. This four-session class explores the development of the prayer book tradition from the early middle ages that produced the first book of common prayer in 1549. From there, we examine how the prayer book was revised and modified to reflect deeper understanding of human spirituality in the Protestant tradition, and yet which maintained a connection to its Roman Catholic heritage. We look at how politics and culture affected the prayer book tradition - eventually leading to the production of the American Prayer Book. We also examine how the American Prayer book itself was repeatedly revised since 1789 and how the current 1979 edition of the Book of Common Prayer reflects modern sensibilities, yet retains many of the practices of common prayer that were exercised before the reformation. Note that this class is a good companion to the classes entitled, "When Jesus Came to America" and "Introduction to Hymnody," below. The syllabus is complete with class notes, Power Point™ slide presentations, and a complete bibliography.

When Jesus Came to America. The title of this class refers to the evangelical movement that developed during the enlightenment period and the Oxford movement that resulted in response. The class is taught from a historical perspective, showing that beginning with the Reformation of the 15th C and the Catholic counter-reformation, Christianity in the west swung back and forth between Roman and Protestant perspectives during the 18th and 19th centuries. The emphasis of the class is to show how cultural, social, and governmental developments influenced expressions of Christianity during the late Renaissance and the Enlightenment periods, and how Christian denominations responded to those influences. This kind of historical view is especially important today in view of the fact that current social and cultural factors are influencing Christian denominations, as well as the coherency of our own Anglican Communion. The syllabus is complete with class notes, Power Point™ slide presentations, and a complete bibliography.

Introduction to Hymnody. This multiple-session class was designed to discuss the development of hymns that are used in the Church today, and demostrate that the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal draws together classical, medieval, traditional, and some multicultural hymns spanning the 2000 year history of Christianity. Early church, pre-reformation, British, American and other influences were presented. Church music is very important - indeed foundational - to the spirituality of many who attend church, yet many of us know little about our beloved hymn traditions. This class helps us appreciate the history and tradition of church music, and the treasure that is our Hymnal. The syllabus is complete with class notes, Power Point™ slide presentations, and a complete bibliography.

Michelangelo's Secrets of the Sistine Chapel. This five session class is based on the book, The Sistine Secrets: Michelangelo’s Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican by Benjamin Blech and Roy Doliner (New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2008). In this class we discuss how Michelangelo's upbringing in the house of the de Medici's and his exposure to Jewish Kabbalistic mysticism and his private nontraditional schooling in Florence influenced his life and work. The fascinating story is told of how Michelangelo embedded messages of brotherhood, tolerance, and free thinking in his frescoes to encourage “fellow travelers” to challenge the repressive Roman Catholic Church of his time. The syllabus is complete with class notes, Power Point™ slide presentations, and a complete bibliography.

An Introduction to the Prophets and the Prophetic Literature. This eight session class illustrates that the prophetic writings of the Bible are contextually based on the history of the nations of Israel and Judah as interpreted by the prophetic writer. The prophets wrote for their people at the time, calling the governmental and religious authorities of the time to pay attention to their covenental relationship with God. The Old Testament contains epic stories that were written to allow their hearers to relive the exploits of their ancestors in the past, and anticipate their own future. And the writers of those epic stories wrote from a theological perspective in which God played an active role in human affairs. In this way, the Jewish people developed a self-understanding of themselves as a people of God. The prophets also wrote from that perspective, issuing warnings about mistakes of the past leading to future calamities. The book of prophecy we will concentrate on is the Book of Isaiah. The syllabus is complete with class notes, Power Point™ slide presentations, and a complete bibliography.

What do Christians Really Believe? An Introduction to Theology. This class explores some of the basic questions that all human beings ask about themselves and the universe. We delve into fundamental questions such as: How do we know God exists? What are some of the models of creation? What is evil? Did God create evil? Who is Jesus? What does Jesus' death have to do with salvation? What is the resurrection? There were two goals of the class. First, to explore these basic questions of faith from a Christian perspective (Christian theology). Second, to provide tools so that as Christians we can articulate our faith to people of other denominations and faiths alike (Christian apologetics).

An Inquirer's Class for Those Interested in Christianity and the Episcopal Church. This ten session course is taught each winter-spring (usually between February and April). It is designed to provide persons with little or no exposure to Christianity or to the Episcopal denomination with the basic knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith and the history and tradition of the Episcopal Church. This course is not comprehensive; not every topic or issue within Christianity will be covered or discussed in depth. The course provides a basic framework about Christianity onto which future learning can be placed. This course of study suffices for those who wish to join the Episcopal Church, and to be confirmed or received by the Bishop. The course is on line, and contains complete Microsoft PowerPoint™ presentations for each class session, as well as downloadable copies of slide handouts for each session.

Evangelism: Lessons From The Early Church. This class examines the writings of the New Testament evangelists to learn from their culture and perspective why and how they spread the Good News. We also look at a new model of evangelism termed "Invitational Evangelism" which is based on the observation that the early church gospel writers evangelized to their specific communities, engaging them in invitational dialog to teach, preach, and spread the Good News. A major goal of the class is to foster personal and corporate introspection and to produce new ideas about our individual and community call to evangelization and discipleship.

The Church Calendar. This one or two-session class is about the church calendar, its feasts and fasts and its organization.

Growth and Decline of Episcopal Parishes and Missions. This three session class presents information on the dynamics of growth and decline in Episcopal parishes and missions based on the Faith Communities Today 2005 (FACT 2005) national survey written by C. Kirk Hadaway was presented.  Some of the factors that contributed to growth or decline determined from a survey of over 4,000 churches between 2000 and 2005 are discussed.  In the FACT Study, various sources of congregational growth and decline were determined, including the location and demographic makeup of the congregation; the congregation's identity; the congregation's worship; the congregation's activities; and the congregation's leadership.  Those factors are examined with reference to where the parish is now, and how it intends to grow.