Native Ministries Consortium Summer School 2008
All lay people and clergy are welcome to participate in this joint venture by the Native Ministries Consortium (NMC). Since 1985, under First Nations direction, the Consortium has developed community-based training programs for Native ministries, lay and ordained. The Native Ministries Summer School is a major aspect of this work. Under Consortium initiation and active participation, Vancouver School of Theology offers a Master of Divinity degree by extension for people in Native ministries. The Consortium members are the Anglican First Nations Council of the Diocese of Caledonia, BC Conference Native Ministries Council (United Church of Canada), Episcopal Church of Navajoland, Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, Cook School for Christian Leadership (Tempe AZ), Henry Budd College for Ministry (The Pas, MB), Indigenous Theological Training Institute (ECUSA) and Vancouver School of Theology.
WEEK ONE: July 7 – 11, 2008
Morning: 8am - 11am
Register Now on our Secure Registration Page
1 FIRST RITES, FIRST NATIONS: An Introduction to Liturgy
The Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett, Professor of Liturgical Studies, and M.Div. Program Coordinator, VST
Christian worship is a product of human cultures trying to express their experience of God in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. In this course we will explore how the cultures of early Christians shaped the way they worshipped. This course meets the requirements for the M. Div. degree program but is open to everyone.
2 CREATION: Formed in the Creator's Image
The Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher, Cherokee, Assistant Bishop, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark (currently on sabbatical)
Course Cancelled
3 ISLAM: An Example of Culture and Faith
Dr. Zahra Niccu Tafarrodi, Founder and Executive Director, International Health Education Alliance, Minneapolis, MN
This course will survey the fundamentals of Islam and look at the impact that Islam has had on the indigenous religions of Iran. Like First Nations and Christianity, Persian culture has accepted Islam, but has adapted Islam to fit its own understandings and needs. Studying Shiite Islam will foster a greater understanding of the interrelation between Islam and Iran’s indigenous people as an example of inculturation.
Afternoon: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
4 ABORIGINAL HEALING ON THE MEDICINE WHEEL
The Rev. Hagar Head, Opaskwayak Cree, retired Anglican Priest in charge of the Church of the Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Teachings represented by the medicine wheel show how the gifts of God’s creation provide for healing and wholeness both for individuals and for the community. This course will show the parallels between these gifts of the Creator and the teaching of the Bible.
5 UNDERSTANDING AND DISMANTLING RACISM IN FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES
The Rev. Canon Ginny Doctor, Mohawk, Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, and Ms. Suzanne Krull, Diocesan Administrator and charter member of the Anti-Racism Team, Episcopal Diocese of Alaska
This course will explain the sin of racism and how it impacts First Nations People. The instructors will use Holy Scripture, lecture, audio-visuals, story-telling and handouts to give participants an understanding of racism, internalized racial oppression, and internalized racial superiority/white privilege. Ways to dismantle racism will also be explored. The “Talking Circle” will be used to process feelings and hurts that may arise from understanding racism.
6 DOING JUSTICE: Organizing First Nations Political Power in the 21st Century
The Ven. Dr. John A. (Ian) Mackenzie, Haida and Nisga'a (adopted) involved in social activism from the streets of Harlem in the 1960's to the proclamation of the Nisga'a treaty in 2000.
The last 40 years have seen great strides in First Nations sovereignty in politics and within the church. This course will offer some skills needed to achieve Aboriginal power today. We will examine various organizing methods which demonstrate First Nations power. Examples include the growth of Native organizations, the Hendry Report, the Mackenzie River pipeline, eco-justice issues, the Nisga’a treaty and the growing indigenous church.
WEEK TWO: July 14 – 18, 2008
Morning: 8am – 11am
Register Now on our Secure Registration Page
7 ROOTS OF THE WESTERN CHRISTIAN TRADITION PART ONE
The Rev. Dr. Wendy Fletcher, Principal, Vancouver School of Theology
This course will provide a consideration of key themes in Christian history from the early church to the 18th century, with particular reference to healing and reconciliation (cure of souls and communities). The stories of church as institution and church as reform movement in this work will be explored through a study of the teachings of elders from the patristic, medieval, reformation and counter-reformation eras and their implications for church life and structures. Completion of Parts 1 & 2 of this course meets the requirements for the M. Div. degree program. This course is open to everyone.
8 THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST
The Rev. Dr. William Crockett,Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, Vancouver School of Theology
The church has a rich tradition of faith in Jesus Christ The aim of this course is to explore the church’s faith in Jesus Christ, his person and his saving work as this is expressed in the New Testament, in the history of the church and in contemporary theology. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between the church’s tradition of faith in Jesus Christ and the faith, culture, and traditions of First Nations communities. This course meets the requirements for the M. Div. degree program but is open to everyone.
9 A YOUTH MINISTRY POTLUCK
The Rev. Lyle Adams, Nisga'a, Anglican Priest, New Aiyansh, and The Rev. Buddy Monahan, Choctaw, Chaplain of Menaul School, Albuquerque, NM
Doing youth ministry is like a potluck meal. We are all invited to share in the meal, and whatever we bring to the table can certainly be nourishing to someone. Even as we bring something we can also be nourished by the things everyone else brings, including the youth. No matter the size of our church or communities we can offer an effective youth ministry. In this class we will discuss and share a potluck of ideas and resources as we nourish and learn from one another in our time together through Bible study, games, songs, energizers, discussion starters and film.
Afternoon: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
10 ROOTS OF THE WESTERN CHRISTIAN TRADITION PART TWO
The Rev. Dr. Wendy Fletcher, Principal, Vancouver School of Theology
See Course 7 above for full course description. Completion of Parts 1 & 2 of this course meets the requirements for the M. Div. degree program. This course is open to everyone.
11 IT'S NOT EASY BEING NATIVE, IT'S NOT EASY BEING CHRISTIAN
The Rev. Dr. Bradley Hauff, Oglala Sioux, Clinical Psychologist and Assoicate Rector, Church of the Epiphany, Plymouth, MN
This course offers an overview of Native American experience from pre-colonial times to the present. We will discuss multigenerational trauma and its effect on individuals and communities over time, the historic and continued impact of systemic genocide and discrimination, and the role of the church in cultural assimilation and evangelization. We will consider the developmental challenges to Native youth, how to establish Native identity, and find a healing process of hope grounded in Native values and community renewal. Everyone is welcome regardless of background or experience.
12 CULTURE AND THE SACRED
The Rev. Raymond Bucko, SJ, Lakota (adopted), Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
This course examines how two disciplines, the study of God and the study of the human, coincide and diverge in their approaches to the sacred. We will explore anthropological and theological understandings of such topics as faith, cosmology, ritual, community, multiple belonging, the spirit world, inculturation, leadership and change. Participants will consider the role of culture in understanding the spiritual and the role of spirituality in understanding culture. We will also examine how each discipline invites us to practice basic responses to these often lofty questions.
Course Credit
Native Ministries Summer School courses are nonsectarian and interdisciplinary. Courses examine historical and social data, literary-oral traditions, artistic and other cultural aspects of indigenous religions. Courses also examine the philosophical and theological dimensions of aboriginal thought. To obtain NMC credit, students must attend all sessions of their registered course(s) (15 contact hours) and prepare a journal reflection on each days’ presentation.
Native Ministries Summer School courses may be taken for transfer credit. Please contact the Native Ministries Program office to inquire about transferable degree credit.
Costs
A $35 (Cdn) non-refundable fee is due with your preregistration. This is in addition to other fees.
Meals
NMC offers breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday, at a cost of $75 per person, per week. Lunch only $40/week
Tuition
Tuition is $250 per course (15 contact hours) for NMC credit. Spouses of students registered in the NMC program will be required to pay a fee of $25 per course; auditors pay full tuition. Tuition fees can be paid in advance. All fees are payable in Canadian dollars at registration. We accept Mastercard and Visa.
Tutition for early registration, before April 30, 2008 is $225(Cdn) per course
Housing
VST: Accommodation at VST is extremely limited. To check availability, please contact vstconf@vst.edu
NMC has a group reservation for rooms with shared baths at Gage Towers, with elevator access. Some cooking may be available. Reservations can be booked by phone at 604-822-1000, or Toll Free 1-888-822-1030, or by e-mail reservations@housing.ubc.ca Request the NMC booking and hold the reservation with a credit card. Due to ongoing renovations at UBC it will be necessary to change rooms during the two weeks of summer school. Our apologies for any inconvenience. Other UBC dormitories may also be booked through UBC Conferences and Housing by phone at 604-822-1000.
Book one of these rooms at UBC through their Secure Booking Page
St. Mark’s Guesthouse at St. Mark’s College: Phone 604-822-4463 ext. 489, www.corpuschristi.ca
Carey Hall: Phone 604-224-4308, www.careycentre.com
St. Andrew’s Hall: Phone 604-822-9720, www.standrews.edu
Triumf House: reservations only 2 weeks in advance. Phone 604-222-1062 or 604-222-7633, www.triumfhouse.ca
Book early to avoid disappointment. Please contact the NMC office if you need a list of off campus facilities.
Children’s Program
NMC is pleased to offer a Children’s Program again this summer. Contact the NMC office for more information.
Financial Aid
Limited funding is available from the H. R. Macmillan Fund for those who are ordained. Applications should be made through Vancouver School of Theology.
Registration
Register Now on our Secure Registration Page. For immediate assistance, contact the Native Ministries Program office by phone at (604) 822-9480, or by email at nmconsortium@vst.edu.