School of the Laity Classes
School of the Laity
October 5-6, 2024
Registration for October 2024 is OPEN now through September 6, 2024
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.
2025 Upcoming Core Classes
New Testament Survey
Offered March 8-9, 2025
Essential Elements of Worship
Offered March 8-9, 2025
Introduction to Bible
Offered June 21-23, 2024
Introduction to Reformed Theology
Offered June 21-23, 2024
Practical Ministries
Offered June 21-23, 2024
Old Testament Survey
Offered October 5-6, 2024
History, Mission & Polity
Offered October 5-6, 2024
2024 SOL Upcoming Electives
A Spoke in the Wheel: The Life, Thought & Relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Offered October 5-6, 2024
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, Bible Professor at 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.
Pre-course assignment: Participants are required to acquire The New Testament, A Student’s Introduction by Stephen L. Harris and read the text alongside the New Testament in their Bibles writing down any questions that come to mind. These questions should be emailed to MSusie1@savannahpresbytery.org by February 24th, 2023. Survey is led by Rev. Dr. Kaye Nickell, who earned her PhD at Vanderbilt Divinity School.
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.
Pre-course assignment: Participants are to read A More Profound Alleluia; Theology and Worship in Harmony by Leanne Van Dyk to prepare for the course led by Rev. Rick Douylliez, Savannah Presbytery’s Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Affairs and longtime pastor of First Presbyterian, St. Marys.
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
A Spoke in the Wheel: The Life, Thought & Relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) has long been admired for his brilliance, faith, and courage in the face of evil. It was almost 80 years ago that he was executed by the Nazisfor his role in the resistance to Hitler, and yet many have found that his message and example are still deeply relevant today, especially for American Christians seeking to understand the times and respond faithfully. Join us as we explore his life and writings and consider the challenge that he squarely places before us. Rev. Tom Buchanan serves as the pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church in Athens, GA.
Pre-course assignment: Watch the 2003 documentary Bonhoeffer, produced by Journey Films, available for viewing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_9vqxljH6Ok . The recommended text is Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians, by Stephen R. Haynes and Lori Brandt Hale. A very good extra text that is suggestive of relating Bonhoeffer’s work to our own is After Ten Years: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Our Times, by Victoria Barnett.
SCHOOL OF THE LAITY COMMITTEE
Bain Head, 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)
Ella Kent, (Saint Simons)
Nancy Matthews (Saint Simons)