J. Richard Bass School of the Laity
School of the Laity
March 7 -8, 2026
Registration for March 2026 is OPEN now through February 6, 2026
Help us decide on our Elective Courses for 2027!!
The School of the Laity courses are held hybrid with both online (via Zoom) and in-person participants. In-person classes are held at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island, GA. Participants can join a small cohort beginning each June and complete the full two-year program or can take a singular course as their schedule permits.
There are pre-course assignments for each course shared on the registration brochure. March and October Sessions begin early Saturday morning and conclude late Sunday afternoon while June Sessions begin on Friday evening and continue through late Sunday afternoon. For more details click the LEARN MORE button below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Marty Susie, SOL Registrar, at (800) 616-3671 ext. 703 or msusie1@savannahpresbytery.org.
Thinking about joining a School of the Laity Cohort?
The Leslie McCracken School of the Laity Scholarship Fund supports Savannah Presbytery members joining a School of the Laity cohort and committing to the full program.
Created in honor of Leslie’s legacy and deep love for the School, this scholarship helps cover tuition and in-person accommodations, making it easier for you to say YES! The scholarship pays directly to the program—and can supplement contributions from you or your church.
2026 Upcoming Core Classes
March 7-8, 2026
New Testament Survey
Essential Elements of Worship
June 26-28, 2026
Introduction to the Bible
Introduction to Reformed Theology
Introduction into Practical Ministries
October 3-4, 2026
Old Testament Survey
History, Mission & Polity
2026 SOL Upcoming Elective Courses
March 7-8, 2026
Sermon on the Mount; A Vision of Radical Discipleship and Alternative Community
Led by Rev. Tom Buchanan,
October 3-4, 2026
Go to a land I will show you: Spiritual Practices & Discernment
Led by Helen Blier, Columbia Theological Seminary
YEAR ONE
INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE
Introduces students to study tools and interpretation methods as it offers a broad survey of the literature, history, and faith of the people of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. Led by Dr. Robert Bryant, Professor Emeritus, Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC.
OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY
This course delves deeper into the Old Testament scriptures and explores the inspiration, authorship, context, and criteria used to determine which books became part of our canon. This course builds on the Introduction to the Bible course developing a deeper understanding of Old Testament themes and early Hebrew theology.
NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
This course delves deeper into the New Testament scriptures and explores the inspiration, authorship, context, and criteria used to determine which books became part of our canon. This course builds on the Introduction to the Bible and Old Testament Survey courses developing a deeper understanding of New Testament themes and early Christian theology and examining how contemporary Christians interpret Old Testament scriptures through a Christian lens
YEAR TWO
INTRODUCTION TO REFORMED THEOLOGY
This course provides a foundational introduction to Reformed Theology and explores how it shapes and informs the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We will survey the tenets of the Reformed Tradition, doctrines of the Church, and various confessional and creedal statements.
HISTORY, MISSION & POLITY
This course will provide an overview of our Presbyterian identity and help participants learn to use Presbyterian polity to address specific issues and practices in church life. Participants will also become acquainted with the Book of Order and how it helps to further the ministry and mission of the church.
ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP
This course focuses on what constitutes faithful Christian worship and discusses the theological underpinnings of key elements of worship including scripture, confession, prayer, music, sacraments, and sermon. Participants will be encouraged to think critically about each element of worship and develop a deeper understanding of why we do what do when we gather to worship God. Participants will be encouraged to share their diverse experiences of worship.
YEAR THREE
PRACTICAL MINISTRIES
This course is the capstone of the School of the Laity program. Participants will develop an understanding of how to use what they have learned by going out, integrating, and expanding their learning through application in areas such as leading Bible Studies, organizing retreats, and pastoral care visitation. Participants will be encouraged to share meaningful ministries from their home congregations and will be introduced to resources from the PC(U.S.A.), the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators (APCE), and others.
ELECTIVE COURSES
Sermon on the Mount: A VISION OF RADICAL DISCIPLESHIP AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY
The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is perhaps the best example of Jesus’ core teachings in the Gospels and yet occupies almost no place in the historic creeds or practical Christian life today. In this class, we will recover this neglected text’s radical vision for discipleship and consider its powerful present-day relevance for building alternative, counter-cultural communities of faithful resistance.
Led by Rev. Tom Buchanan, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA.
Pre-course assignment: Read Matthew 5-7 carefully and make notes on thoughts and questions that arise. Obtain & read Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven by Amy-Jill Levine (Abingdon Press, 2020)
Go to a land I will show you: Spiritual Practices & Discernment
This retreat-style course invites you to delve into spiritual discernment, a profound practice fundamentally different from typical decision-making. Unlike outcome-driven decision-making, discernment is an intentional process that creates space for the Holy Spirit to be invited into our conversations and choices; it requires curiosity and trust and sometimes takes us to unexpected and even uncomfortable places – not unlike Abram, who was called by God to leave his home and go to a new and as-yet unknown land.
While deeply personal and internal, discernment needs community; while rooted in wisdom and tradition, discernment nudges us towards God’s preferred future for us. As such, we will spend time listening deeply to the resources of the Christian tradition, including scripture and practices, each other, and our own lived wisdom to facilitate authentic discernment in our lives. You won’t just learn about discernment; you will leave with tangible tools and practical insights that will help you cultivate an ongoing, life-long practice of spiritual discernment.
Led by Dr. Helen Blier Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA
Pre-Course Assignment: Spiritual Discernment Narrative
Think of a time in your life when you faced a significant choice or decision, and the way forward was unclear or contested. This wasn’t a simple choice between two good options; it was a moment where your sense of self, your values, or your future felt deeply involved.
Write 300-500 words reflecting on this story, focusing on the following questions:
- Describe the situation and the immediate tension. What were the options before you, and why did each option feel both compelling and potentially problematic?
- What internal voices or feelings were loudest?
- What external voices or resources did you consult? Were there any points of conflict in the process?
- Did you find your mind or heart being changed? Were there any surprises? Disappointments?
- What was the final outcome or choice?
- Looking back now, what is the deepest wisdom or insight you can draw from this experience? Even if the outcome wasn’t what you hoped for, what did the process of navigating that moment teach you about yourself, your faith, or how you make choices?
Please bring this written reflection with you to the retreat. It will serve as a foundational story for our work together on spiritual discernment.
SCHOOL OF THE LAITY COMMITTEE
Ella Kent, Chair (Saint Simons)
Marty Susie, Director of Mission & Program Advancement
Katie Hogan, Elder (Henry Memorial)
Nancy Bertrand, CRE (Beersheba)
Mary Simpson, Elder (Wilmington Island)
Cyncelia el-Shair, (Altama)
Linda Nelms, (St. Simons)