THE IONA INITIATIVE IN - Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande

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THE IONA INITIATIVE IN
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDE
Formation of 21st Century Locally Prepared Clergy
The Project
The Iona Initiative is a collaborative project of the Episcopal Dioceses of Arkansas,
Hawaii, Mississippi, Nebraska, Northwest Texas, Oklahoma, Rio Grande, West Texas and
Wyoming in conjunction with the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest and the Iona
School for Ministry for the Diocese of Texas.
The initiative provides a high-quality theological education for the formation of priests
and deacons in the local diocesan setting. It educates a new generation of talented clergy leaders
who for various reasons cannot attend a residential seminary.
The curriculum is based on the highly successful Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese
of Texas. Iona offers a three-year formational program that includes academics as well as class
sessions on spirituality, liturgy and music, theory and practice of ministry and social justice
topics.
The Iona Initiative offers this traditional coursework using rich and engaging videos and
other mixed media tools combined with community building opportunities at the local, diocesan
and initiative levels.
In the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande most people pursuing ordination as
permanent deacons matriculate in the Iona Initiative, and on occasion with Bishop Vono’s
express permission someone pursuing ordination as a bi-vocational priest may study in the
Iona Initiative.
Quotes From Bishops Commending The Iona Initiative
Our diocese is a charter partner in this innovative, multi-diocese collaboration to create and
share a consistent, high quality formation program for bi-vocational priests and deacons who
serve the Episcopal Church in rural and small settings.
The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer
Bishop of Northwest Texas
The Iona Initiative allows multiple dioceses to partner together in an effort to share resources
and develop a vibrant, canonically sound formation program.
The Right Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny
Bishop of Oklahoma
The Iona Initiative . . . is the best solution that we have seen so far to meet our need for adequate
training.
The Right Rev. Larry R. Benfield
Bishop of Arkansas
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Core Values of the Iona Initiative
 Missional Leadership
 Collaborative Development
 Commitment to Excellence
 Community Building
 Professional Network
Mission Statement
To provide a high quality theological education adaptable to local needs, using an array of
resources including local mentors, standardized curricula and interactive classes
Educational Materials
 Lesson Plans for Mentors
 Study Guide for Students
 Videos
 Handouts, including PowerPoint presentations
Instructors
Educational materials are created by highly qualified instructors from The Episcopal Theological
Seminary of the Southwest and the Iona School for Ministry.
Year One Curriculum
Academic – Bible
 Introduction to the Year
 The Persian Period
 Deuteronomistic History
 Prophetic Literature
 Responses to Hellenism
 Pentateuch
 The Roman Period
 Matthew and Luke/Acts
 John and Paul
 Paul, Canon, and Scripture as a Resource
for Christians
Spirituality
 Spiritual Autobiographies
 Stages of Faith; Journaling
 Lectio Divina
 Rule of Life
 Prayer of the Senses
 Contemplative Prayer
 Celtic Spirituality
 Reading Icons
 Spirituality of the Senses
 Labyrinth
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Liturgy
 Daily Office
 Homiletics
 Introduction to the Holy Eucharist
 History and Theology of the Book of
Common Prayer
 Familiarity with the Book of Common
Prayer
 Liturgical Renewal Movement
 Holy Eucharist and Prayer of the People
 Conversations with the Bishop
 Field Work Review
Theory & Practice of Ministry
 Introduction to the Priesthood and
Diaconate
 Clergy Vesture
 Cultural Competence
 Hospital Visits
 Preparing for the End of Life
 Small Vital Congregations
 Title IV Disciplinary Canons
 Empowering the Laity
 Parish Polity
Year Two Curriculum
Academic
 The Early Church
 The Imperial Church
 The Medieval Church
 Pre-Reformation Christianity in England
 Continental Reformation
 English Reformation
 English Church Development: 17th – 19th
Centuries
 Christianity in the Modern World
 The American Episcopal Church
 Contemporary Society
Spirituality
 Desert Spirituality
 Benedict and Francis
 Julian
 Spanish Mystics: Ignatius and Teresa
 Hymns of Thomas Ken; Caroline
Divines
 Hymns and Poems: Lutheran and
Wesleyan
 Spirituality in the Modern World:
Underhill and Lewis
 Contemporary Anglican Spirituality
 Emergent and Virtual Spirituality
Liturgy and Music
 Liturgical Planning
 Burials
 Music for Small Vital Congregations
 Servant in the Liturgy
 The Church Year
 Christian Initiation
 Weddings
 Worship Practicuum
 Sacrament of Reconciliation
 Healing Liturgies
 Liturgical Theology
Theory and Practice of Ministry
 Addiction and Prayer
 Parish Administration
 Christian Formation
 Ministry to the Homeless
 Disaster Relief
 Ministry to Older Adults
 Deacon Synthesis Paper Assignment
 Conversation with the Bishop
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Year Three Curriculum
Academic – Theology and Ethics
 Christology and the Ethics of Jesus
 Theology: Systemic and Moral
 Creation, Anthropology and Election
 Sin and Liberation
 Holy Spirit, Salvation and Virtue
 Ecclesiology and Politics
 Sacrament, Sex and Medicine
 Eschatology and Violence
 Trinity: Economy and Ecology
 Saintly Lives: Augustine, Dorothy Day
and Oscar Romero
Spirituality
 Spirituality and Ordained Ministry
 Awareness and Discernment
 Experiential Christian Formation
Liturgy
 Deacon Practicuum
 Priest Practicuum
Theory & Practice of Ministry
 Theological Reflection
 The Pastoral Relationship in the
Congregation
 Congregational Seasons and Cycles
 Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
 Pastoral Leadership: A Trinitarian
Approach
 Church: Established or Intentional?
 Servant Leadership
 Healthy and Unhealthy Conflict
 Prophetic Voice
 Deacon Synthesis Paper Returned
 Leading Change
 Leading as a Steward
 Foundations for Healthy Small
Congregations
 Deacon Field Work Review
 Priest Field Work Review
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THE GUILD OF SPIRITUAL FRIENDS
No priest can meet all the spiritual needs of his or her parishioners, nor should he or she
try! Yet as the Catechism reminds us, we are all ministers of the Church, lay every bit as much as
ordained. (BCP, p. 855) Upon the nomination of the rector or vicar and at the invitation of the
bishop, spiritually mature Christians are invited to participate in a curriculum for the formation
of spiritual friendships. Once trained, these individuals provide spiritual friendship within their
parish communities for fellow pilgrims on the journey into the mind of God.
In her wonderful book, Holy Listening, Margaret Guenther describes an experience many
of us have had:
“We are hungry, and we don’t know for what. We want something, but we can’t name it. The
parish is taking good care of us, nourishing us with word and sacrament . . . . But we want
something else, something more: we want to be touched, we want to be known as children of
God. . . . [W]hat we really hunger for is wholeness and God.” Holy Listening, p. 2
The Diocese of the Rio Grande is blessed with a number of people – lay and ordained –
who have specialized training in spiritual direction and spiritual friendship. We have banded
together to form “The Guild of Spiritual Friends”. Our purpose is very simply to develop
community, curricula, and friendships for those who feel a special call to journey further into the
mind of God. Our intention is to complement the work already being done in parishes and
missions and to in no way compete with that work.
Two cardinal insights drive all our efforts:
First, we are all of us pilgrims on the journey – what in the Acts of the Apostles is called “the
Way” (cf., Acts 9:2 and 18:25) – into the mind of God. The Psalmist reminds us, “Happy are the
people whose strength is in you! Whose hearts are set on the pilgrim’s way.” (Psalm 84:4)
Secondly, pilgrims need company, companions on the Way! Such companions are known quite
simply as friends. As Jesus Himself teaches us, “This is my commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:12-14) And, as Aelred of
Riveaulx, the great 12th century Cistercian and patron of all spiritual directors put it in his
marvelous book, Spiritual Friendship, “Here we are, you and I, and I hope a third, Christ, is in
our midst.”
Who May Join The Guild?
Membership in the Guild is open to any Episcopalian in the Diocese of the Rio Grande
who meets the conditions outlined below. In time we hope to expand beyond the boundaries of
the DRG both geographically and ecclesiastically to welcome others enthusiastic to continue the
journey into the mind of God.
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Requirements To Join The Guild
1. All members of the Guild will have at least one year’s experience in an intentional spiritual
small group. Cursillo qualifies for this requirement, though there are other ways to meet the
same goal.
2. Everybody hoping to join the Guild will attend at least four Guild sponsored workshops
through the course of the year. Two workshops are required of all Guild members – Holy
Listening and Group Spiritual Direction (see below). After attending four workshops during
the course of the year, with the support of the parish’s priest or vicar, the Guild member may
begin to offer spiritual friendship at his/her parish under specified rules.
3. All lay members of the Guild must have the recommendation of his or her rector or priest-incharge and approval of the bishop.
4. Clergy also may join once they’ve met requirements 1 & 2 or if they have specific training as
a spiritual director (e.g., Shalem Institute).
5. All members of the Guild will be fully trained in Safeguarding God’s Children and keep their
licensure up to date.
6. All members of the Guild will have read the three required texts:
a. Anthony Bloom, Beginning to Pray
b. Margaret Guenther, Holy Listening
c. Aelred of Riveaulx, Spiritual Friendship
7. All members of the Guild will agree to abide by the Guild’s covenant.
The Guild Of Spiritual Friends Covenant
Members of the Guild agree to abide by the following simple covenant. All members of the
Guild:
 Have a Spiritual Director or are involved in intentional group direction
 Have and abide by a Rule of Life developed with his/her Spiritual Director or in conjunction
with one’s spiritual direction group
 Attend worship every Sunday
 Practice Daily Prayer
 After attending the requisite four workshops provided by the Guild to join, each Guild
member covenants to attend at least two Guild sponsored workshops in successive years
Requirements For Offering Spiritual Friendship At One’s Parish
Members of the Guild may and are encouraged to provide spiritual friendship to fellow
parishioners and others once they’ve completed their first year’s training. Such conversations
should occur in a space provided by the church. Such space should provide confidentiality for all
parties concerned and should also comply with all the stipulations of Safe Church Ministry
Principles as set out by the Diocese of the Rio Grande. All meetings of spiritual friends should
occur during regular office hours when others are present in the building.
If these conditions cannot be met, spiritual friends may meet in a public space such as a coffee
shop or restaurant when others are present.
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Spiritual friends should never meet in a private home or at a time and in a place where witnesses
are not readily available.
GUILD OF SPIRITUAL FRIENDS WORKSHOPS FOR 2014-2015
(Each qualifies for 4 CEU’s for clergy)
Holy Listening: The Foundation for Spiritual Friendship (Required)
Mentor: The Very Rev. Douglas Travis
Dean Travis has four graduate degrees in theology and spirituality, including an S.T.M. from The
General Theological Seminary in New York where he was enrolled for two years in the spiritual
direction program in the Center for Christian Spirituality. He has been offering spiritual direction
for nearly thirty years.
Workshop Description
An introduction to the ministry of presence and the primary importance of listening as we
accompany each other on the journey into the mind of God. (4 CEU’s for clergy)
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, January 31, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Andrew’s, Las Cruces
Saturday, February 28, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., The Bosque Center
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
Spiritual Discernment
Mentor: The Rev. Carolyn Metzler
Carolyn has been about the work of discernment in one way or another all her life. Working
with people who are in transition, discernment is a large part of the work of spiritual
direction. As priest, she has worked with congregations in discernment also, and more recently
has been the Spiritual Director teaching discernment with The Living School (part of the Rohr
Institute of the Center for Action and Contemplation). Sometimes it is about discerning a
decision. Sometimes it is about discerning God’s presence in our midst, or in challenging
circumstances. Sometimes it is about discerning ourselves within the Body of Christ. Sitting
with people who are waiting for the opening of the Spirit is a great privilege and gift.
Workshop Description
In this workshop we will be addressing differing areas of discernment in the spiritual journey,
their timing, and circumstances. We also look at our own resistance to the work we believe we
want to do. And we will open our spiritual tool box in the work of discernment, exploring the
myriad ways we might go about this work. The workshop will be a guided conversation, with
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much time for musing, response, questions, and differing perspectives. We go beyond words
into non-verbal ways of discernment also. And for those times where nothing “seems to be
happening,” we also look at the value of waiting in the unknown or, as Rilke says, learning to
“Be at peace with all that is unresolved in your hearts and learn to love the questions."
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Thomas of Canterbury, Albuquerque (4 CEU’s
for clergy)
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
Enneagram
Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Pittman
Kathleen holds three graduate degrees including a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. She was
trained in Spiritual Direction at Sursum Corda Spiritual Director Formation Program, the
Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. Kathleen has been offering Spiritual Direction for about
fifteen years.
Workshop Description
The Enneagram is a model people use to help themselves become aware of the False Self (ego)
and the True Self that God created us to be. While personality types will be covered in the
workshop, we will go deeper into how we view our world, and how the Enneagram can be used
to support each other on the journey.
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Francis on the Hill, El Paso, Texas (4 CEU’s for
clergy)
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
Christian Healing
Mentor: The Rev. Patricia Green
Mentor: The Rev. Patricia Green MEd, MDIV, LPCC Pat has a Masters of Education in
Community Agency Counseling from the University of AZ, a Masters of Divinity from the
Seminary of the Southwest, and certification from the Pecos Benedictine School for Spiritual
Directors. She blends elements of spiritual direction, life coaching and counseling to inspire and
support individuals who seek a deeper more meaningful relationship with God.
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Workshop Description
We will explore the body, mind and spirit connection of Christian healing using biblical and
contemporary examples. Upon completion participants will be able to identify five ways to
enhance healing and five barriers that impede healing.
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, January 17, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Chad’s, Albuquerque (4 CEU’s for clergy)
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
Intercultural Training for the Life of the Parish
Mentor: The Rev. Paul Moore
Paul Moore has a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX,
2012, Masters in Intercultural Administration, School for International Training, Brattleboro,
VT, 1985, more than three decades of life and ministry in Latin America or an Hispanic context.
Workshop Description
We will explore the dynamics of developing spiritual hospitality between members of different
cultural groups, focusing on the spiritual heritage of those of Latin American and AngloAmerican extraction.
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, February 28, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Alban’s, El Paso, Texas (4 CEU’s for clergy)
and
Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Thomas of Canterbury, Albuquerque, NM (4 CEU’s for
clergy)
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
Dreams and the Spiritual Life
Mentor: The Rev. Philip Dougharty
The Rev. Philip W. Dougharty is an Episcopal priest whose career as a rector was in Buffalo,
NY. He is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York and holds a certificate in
Spiritual Direction from The Haden Institute at Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, ON. He
is an experienced leader of small groups of various types including many Dream Groups.
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Workshop Description
Dreams are often being referred to as "God's forgotten language." Before it was "forgotten," over
250 dreams and dreamers were cited in the stories of the Bible; many of which changed the
course of history. Our dreams come to us as communication from that Divine Spark that resides
in each of us - mostly in coded languages that require our focused attention to decipher their
meanings for our lives. Working with dreams in groups is not "therapy" which is directive in
nature, toward the single dreamer. Rather, it is a reflective spiritual exercise that enhances the
experience of each of the participants and helps to build a trustworthy community at the same
time.
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Francis, El Paso, Texas (4 CEU’s for clergy)
and
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., Bosque Center, Albuquerque (4 CEU’s for clergy)
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
Group Spiritual Direction
Mentor: The Rev. Carole McGowan
Carole McGowan has a Master of Divinity from Nashotah House, Nashotah, WI, 1979 and a
Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Jesuit Community in Cincinnati, OH, 1981.
Subsequent to her training she has been both a giver and receiver of individual and group
spiritual direction.
Workshop Description
We will share the wisdom as well as explore the pitfalls and delights of
group spiritual direction. Several different ways of doing group spiritual direction will be
covered in this workshop.
Date, time, and place:
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., St. Francis on the Hill, El Paso, Texas (4 CEU’s for
clergy)
and
Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., Bosque Center, Albuquerque (4 CEU’s for clergy)
Cost: $50.00
To register please e-mail Mtr. Carole McGowan at mcgowannm@comcast.net no later than
two weeks prior to the event.
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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDE
CLERGY CONTINUING FORMATION REQUIREMENTS AND REPORT
Requirements for Continuing Education of Clergy in the Diocese of the Rio Grande
24 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) per calendar year are required for full-time
stipendiary clergy serving diocesan congregations and institutions such as hospitals, human need
facilities, and schools.
12 CEUs per annual cycle are required for all other clergy exercising ordained ministry
within the Diocese. This includes part-time, supply, bi-vocational priests, deacons, chaplains,
and ordained persons who are not working full time, including retired clergy who are continuing
to work part time.
Clergy who are canonically resident but not living or serving in the Diocese of the Rio
Grande will be exempt from this requirement. Fully retired, non-active clergy are encouraged but
not required to obtain CEUs.
Clergy who serve in religious professional capacities such as hospital chaplains or heads
of schools who are required to have continuing education from a licensing/certification agency
will be allowed to utilize the continuing education credits required by those agencies as long as
they meet the contact hour requirements of the Diocese of the Rio Grande. If they do not
completely meet the diocesan requirement, they can supplement their licensing CEUs with other
opportunities. They are required to send a copy of their professionally required CEU accounting
to the Diocese of the Rio Grande by September the 1st of each year.
Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
The standard for one CEU in the Diocese of the Rio Grande is one contact hour in a
learning situation. This may include one-on-one instruction, online learning, classroom,
conference, small group collaborative work, and the educational component of religious
pilgrimages.
Independent study can also qualify for CEUs. However, for an independent study project
to qualify for approval, at least six weeks in advance of commencing the project the clergy
person must have submitted a proposal to Bishop Vono, the Canon for Formation, and the Chair
of the Continuing Education Committee of the Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized.
How many hours will be granted for an independent study will be determined by these three in
consultation with each other. Generally no more than 12 hours will be granted.
Worship, fellowship, breaks, and mealtimes during a class do not qualify for CEU’s. Nor
do conferences and educational opportunities that do not support professional, theological or
personal development, or classes to become proficient in hobbies or second careers.
There are many opportunities for clergy to pursue high quality continuing education
expressly designed for pastors. See, for example,
 The Center for Action and Contemplation (https://cac.org/)
 Ghost Ranch (http://ghostranch.org/)
Also, the vast majority of a clergy person’s requirements can be met by attending the
annual clergy retreat offered by the Diocese and by coming to Diocesan Convention and taking
the classes offered there.
If you have questions regarding whether an event will qualify for continuing education in
the Diocese of the Rio Grande, please feel free to contact the Canon for Formation.
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Annual Continuing Education Report
The Diocese of the Rio Grande
Priest ___ Deacon ___
Name _______________________________ Position________________
Address_____________________________________________________
City__________________________________State_________Zip
E-Mail________________________________Telephone Number _____________________
• I have participated in the following Continuing Education opportunities this last year:
Event
CEU Hours
Certificate1
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What would assist you in beginning & completing Continuing Formation Opportunities next
year?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Signed: ___________________________________________ Date________________________
Most professional Continuing Education Events for Clergy will provide a signed certificate as evidence of
your attendance. You are required to submit these certificates with annual CEU report.
1
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WORSHIP LEADER TRAINING
Worship Leaders are placed in a position of leadership in their congregations, sometimes
being the first individual a guest meets at a parish. The Commission On The Ministry Of The
Baptized would like to ensure that a Worship Leader is able to articulate a clear call to lead
others in Christian worship, and that his or her training is of high quality and consistent
throughout the Diocese. Training includes: Bible/Scripture, Liturgy and Liturgical Seasons,
Anglicanism and Church History, the importance of honoring confidentiality and other pastoral
issues, Safeguarding God’s Children and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
The Canons state that Worship Leaders are individuals who regularly lead public worship
under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the
congregation or other community of faith (Canon III.4.4). In the Diocese of the Rio Grande
“regularly” is defined as officiating at public worship more than four times a year. The license
does not authorize Worship Leaders to distribute Holy Communion.
Training is held in each deanery of the Diocese at least once each academic year,
beginning 2015. All Worship Leaders will present a certificate of completion for Safeguarding
God’s Children and will have read the following books prior to their training:



And God Spoke by Christopher Bryan (about the Bible)
A User’s Guide to Morning and Evening Prayer by Christopher L. Webber
The Anglican Vision by James E. Griffiss
Additionally, all Worship Leaders should be very well versed in the following rites found in
the Book of Common Prayer: Morning Prayer I & II, Evening Prayer I & II, and the Burial Rites.
BEGINNING BIBLICAL GREEK
Biblical Greek is Koine, the language of the Greek New Testament, and of the
Septuagint, the translation made by Jewish scholars from Hebrew at Alexandria in the 3rd
century BCE. Koine is “the people’s Greek,” a simplified form of Attic, and the actual
language used by the people of Jesus’ time and, along with Aramaic, probably by Jesus
himself and the disciples.
This class is offered at the Bosque Center, Diocese of the Rio Grande, for
approximately 14 weeks a semester, on Mondays starting in 2014 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
(Contact the Diocese for dates in 2015.) The instructor is Dr. Warren Smith, who has a Yale
Ph.D in Classics and is Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico. He has a
research interest in Christian, Jewish and pagan writings from the early Common Era.
The cost is $250 plus the cost of two textbooks, “Basics of Biblical Greek” by William
Mounce and the accompanying textbook. Students also need to bring a copy of a New
Testament in Greek.
In addition to these books, the class will use additional material provided by the
instructor that will include oral practice, centering on questions and answers based on
verses from the Gospel of Matthew.
The goal of the class is to learn the alphabet, pronunciation rules, and start learning the
rules of grammar while always thinking of koine as a spoken language and never losing sight of
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the actual words, phrases, and idioms of the New Testament passages which it is our purpose to
read, study, and contemplate.
BEGINNING BIBLICAL HEBREW
The Jewish Academy of Arts & Sciences – a provider of community-based Jewish
education – has recently launched an Adult Interfaith Hebrew course, and we at the BSFM are
happy and proud to promote this class. The course is part of Kehillah (Hebrew: “community”),
the Jewish Academy’s new community education program.
This innovative Hebrew course reaches out to local Christians seeking to read the Old
Testament in the original language. The class creates a unique context for people of all faiths to
explore Scripture together, and is open to all experience levels.
Interfaith Hebrew begins with a primer of the Hebrew alphabet, teaching decoding and
pronunciation. The course then progresses through a textual exploration of the book of Ruth.
The Jewish Academy is located at 5520A Wyoming Blvd. NE, on the campus of the
Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque. For more information, call 232-2325 or
email allison@jewishacademynm.org.
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