Course title: Term offered: Instructor: Ecclesiology and Ecumenism Revised syllabus Fall 2015 The course meets in the classroom on Friday (1 8 p.m.) and Saturday (8:15 a.m. 4 p.m.) on Sept. 25-26, Oct. 23-24, and Dec. 4-5. Students are required to be present in all classroom sessions. Ellen K. Wondra Contact information: ewondra@bexleyseabury.edu; 773-380-7040 Office hours: I am available by appointment only before or after classroom sessions. Course description The Body of Christ, the company of all faithful people, the Church Catholic, the People of the Way: there are many images of the church, all of which convey something about unity. Yet the churches of Christ find visible unity hard to realize. Why? In this course, we ll begin with the many, many things Christians tend to agree on: baptism, Eucharist, ministry. Then we ll turn to the areas where differences are hard to reconcile: the nature and purpose of the church itself, baptism, episkopé (oversight), authority, and mission (including inter-religious dialogue). We ll look at a variety of ecumenical documents as well as key statements from some particular traditions, including Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist. We may not produce organic, visible unity; but we will consider possibilities for getting there, short of the Kingdom. While this course is grounded in the Anglican tradition as developed in the Episcopal Church, it is designed to be accessible and helpful to people of other traditions. Readings and assignments may be adjusted to reflect the traditions represented in the class Course goals and objectives: Through this course students will Know the living tradition of Christian faith as richly diverse. Recognize and respond to racism and other forms of oppression and exclusion in their personal and institutional manifestations. Be conversant with a variety of contexts and their perspectives across global Anglicanism. Students will become more able to Reflect on their own experience of church, denominationalism, and ecumenism. Understand and participate in the church in a more deeply informed manner. 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 1
Form stronger collegial and pastoral relationships with Christians in traditions other than their own. Imagine ecumenical possibilities for both the worldwide and the local church. Required reading Readings come from major sources on ecclesiology; from conciliar and bilateral ecumenical documents and responses, and may be adjusted to reflect the range of denominational traditions represented in the class. Books (purchase suggested) Avery Dulles, Models of the Church. New York: Image, 2002. ISBN: 978-0-385-13368-5. Be sure to use the 2002 Expanded Edition version. Cheryl Peterson, Who is the Church? An Ecclesiology for the Twenty-First Century. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013. ISBN: 9-780800 Rowan Williams, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-8006-9881-2 On Moodle or online (links on Moodle in the appropriate week) Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation in the United States (ARCUSA), Christian Ethics in the Ecumenical Dialogue: Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission II and Recent Papal Teachings. (1995), Ecclesiology and Moral Discernment: Seeking a Unified Moral Witness. (2014), Five Affirmations on the Eucharist as Sacrifice. (1995) Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), Church as Communion (1990), Final Report (1981), Authority III: The Gift of Authority (1998), Life in Christ (1993) Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Holy See, Some Aspects of the Church Considered as Communion. (1992) Episcopal-Lutheran Dialogue in the United States, Called to Common Mission. (1999) Holy See, Catholic Church s Response to the Final Report of ARCIC I. (1991) InterAnglican Theology and Doctrine Commission (IATDC), Communion, Conflict, and Hope. (2008) International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), Growing Together in Unity and Mission (2007) Joint Commission between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council, Towards a Statement on the Church, Part Two: Ministry and Ministries. (1986) Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches (JWG), The Ecumenical Dialogue on Moral Issues. (1995) Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue in the United States, Church as Koinonia of Salvation (2004) James Nieman, The Idea of Practice and Why It Matters in the Teaching of Preaching, Teaching Theology and Religion v. 11 no. 3 (2008): 123-138 (end of first section). 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 2
C. Pierson Shaw, Jr., Eucharist at a Divided Table, in Dennis M. Doyle, Timothy J. Furry, and Pascal D. Bazzell, Ecclesiology and Exclusion: Boundaries of Being and Belonging in PostModern Times. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013. Pp. 265-278. Mary Tanner, A Ministry of a Universal Primate: An Ecumenical Question, in Marsha L. Dutton and Patrick Terrell Gray, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: Studies in Christian Ecclesiality and Ecumenism in honor of J. Robert Wright. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006. Pp. 240-261. Williams, Rowan, "Beware the danger of becoming less than we aspire to be as a Communion." Presidential Address to the ACC, ember 2012., Retreat addresses to the 2008 Lambeth Conference. Susan K. Wood, A Case of Ecclesial Exclusion: Eucharistic Sharing, in Dennis M. Doyle, Timothy J. Furry, and Pascal D. Bazzell, Ecclesiology and Exclusion: Boundaries of Being and Belonging in PostModern Times. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013. Pp. 255-264. World Council of Churches, Baptism, Eucharist, Ministry. (1982), Called to Be the One Church. (2006), Church: Towards a Common Vision. (2013), One Baptism: Toward Mutual Recognition. (2011) Recommended (on reserve in Columbus and Evanston) Growth in Agreement, 3 vols. A collection of major worldwide ecumenical documents, prepared by the World Council of Churches. History of the Ecumenical Movement. Prepared by the World Council Churches; 2 volumes, published together. Websites Anglican Communion Office, ecumenical dialogues: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/relationships/ecumenical-dialogues.aspx Centro pro Unione: http://www.prounione.urbe.it/new/eng/index.html United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), ecumenical relations: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/index.cfm World Council of Churches, documents: https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents How will the course address issues of global contexts and diversity of race/ethnicity, gender, and culture? This course involves the worldwide church and various traditions within it that are worldwide in scope. Readings and discussion involve issues of race/ethnicity within and between churches, and the interdependence of church and culture. How will the course allow participants to use different learning styles (i.e., other than reading texts and writing formal essays) Extensive classroom discussion, with use of audio, video, music, and art 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 3
Students will be encouraged to use audio, video, and other presentation forms in postings, papers, and discussion Requirements: 1. Attendance and informed, collegial participation in all classroom sessions. Assessed on the basis of the evidence of preparation, engagement, and contribution to discussions. 25% of final grade 2. Attendance at, participation in, and report on main Sunday service at a church not of your tradition on. 1, 2015. See below for details. Assessed on the basis of Reflective Writing rubric. 15% of final grade. 3. Weekly posts and responses on Moodle. Assessed on the basis of the Online Discussion rubric. 20% of final grade 4. Completion and timely submission of research paper; see below for details. Assessed on the basis of the Research Paper rubric. 40% of grade. This paper and the instructor s comments will be added to students portfolios for the purposes of aggregate student assessment. 5. Completion and submission of student evaluation of the course. Your grade will not be recorded until you submit this evaluation. Additional information pertaining to assignments: Church service on. 1, 2015 You are to attend the main service at a church not of your own tradition (current or past) on Sunday,. 1, 2015, which is All Saints Sunday in some traditions, and Reformation Sunday in others. You are to participate as fully as allowed in the service you attend, along with the congregation. You are to write a 5 page report in which you note: o Similarities and differences (relative to your own tradition) in the shape and ritual of the liturgy/ worship service. o Scriptural readings, psalms, hymns, songs, etc. Which lectionary is used? Which lectionary is used at your home church? o Major points of the sermon/ homily relevant to Scripture readings Liturgical occasion, i.e., All Saints Day, Reformation Day o Your reflections on what this experience suggests to you about ecumenical interaction in the 21 st century. Post your report on Moodle no later than. 5 at 5 p.m. ET. And respond to one other report no later than. 7 at 5 p.m. ET. Research paper Choose one of these topics, and examine it in two traditions your own and one other. Be sure to look at relevant history and development, practices and statements, as well as theological and ecclesiological presuppositions and claims. Remember: this paper is not only descriptive; it should be analytical and interpretative. That is, the most important question is why? 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 4
Incorporation of persons from other traditions. By what formal and informal processes are baptized persons from other Christian traditions brought into their new church? E.g., reception, confirmation, and so on, including practices related to receiving communion and to being part of church governance. How is this explained within the church and to newcomers? Admission to communion. Who may receive communion and under what circumstances? Who may not? How regularly does communion occur? How is this explained within the church tradition and to those from other (or no) church traditions? Ordination. How do persons come to be ordained in each tradition? What are the requirements, processes, rites, and so on? How is this explained within the church tradition and to those from other (or no) church traditions? Understanding of the church (basic ecclesiology). What is the church? What is its purpose/ calling? What is its mission? Of whom is it made up? Where does authority reside and what are its parameters and limits? How does this church see itself in relation to other Christian churches (denominations)? How is this explained within the church tradition and to those from other (or no) church traditions? You may need to narrow the topic in order to explore it at sufficient depth. E.g., you may wish to study the ordering of deacons rather than ordination in general. Your paper should be 10-15 pages (double spaced; 11 or 12 pt typeface; 1 margins) and should use Turabian s Manual for Writers. The paper is due at the beginning of class on Friday, Dec. 4. These papers will be the subject of our classroom discussion, so be prepared to a) present a 5 minute summary of the paper, including your major points; and b) discuss this topic with others in the class. A Word about Assessment: The Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation regularly evaluates the quality of our programs using a variety of data and artifacts, including portfolios of students work. These portfolios consist of designated student work (artifacts) from each course, along with the instructor s rubric-based evaluation of the artifact. At the end of the term, the course instructor will send your Moodle post on the disciplinary canons (the designated artifact for this course) and the evaluation of your work to you, and to the Officer for Academic Affairs for inclusion in your portfolio. We use your portfolio annually as a check list to track your progress toward the degree, diploma, or certificate. This usually does not involve any further evaluation of your work. Your portfolio or parts of it may be included in a small, random selection of portfolios from a 3-4 year period so that we can assess overall (aggregate) student learning relative to curricular goals and program effectiveness. No portfolio or artifact is evaluated until all identifying information is removed, and no identifying information will be included in any evaluation or report. 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 5
The Federation statement on responsible use of materials by others: Plagiarism is the taking of the words, ideas, and methods of others as one's own. In academia, plagiarism involves the use of others' words and ideas without adequate reference to the author or indication of quotation. It is a serious form of academic dishonesty or academic fraud, and offenders are subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion from the school. In order to avoid plagiarism, especially by inappropriate use or citation of quotations and ideas, students are expected to familiarize themselves with the requirements and practices of citation found in Turabian s Manual for Writers. Unfamiliarity with these requirements and practices is not an acceptable reason for unintentional plagiarism. Plagiarism cannot be evaded through the alteration of occasional words from one's source. When plagiarism is detected, the instructor will assign the work an appropriate grade and then refer the matter, together with evidence, to the Academic Dean who, in consultation with the faculty and the President, will make an appropriate disposition of the matter, which may include failure of the course, academic probation for a designated period, suspension for a designated period, or expulsion from the program. The student's bishop will normally be notified of the situation. Those who have questions about the nature and scope of plagiarism should consult the Academic Dean. Course Schedule Date Topic Assignments * Documents available on Moodle site for the week Aug 31 Sep 5 Introduction to the topic and the course Audios on Moodle Dulles, Models ch 1-7 : Introductions Sep 7-12 Sep 14-19 Sep 21-25 What is the Church? What is the Church? What is the Church? Audios on Moodle Dulles, Models ch 8-13 : Big Questions from reading Models Audios on Moodle Williams, entire * James Nieman, The Idea of Practice, pp. 123-128 (end of section) : What difference does practice make? Audios on Moodle Peterson, entire : Applying Models to our churches 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 6
Date Topic Assignments * Documents available on Moodle site for the week Sep 25-26 Classroom session in Columbus Sep 25-26 Sep 28- Oct 3 Conciliar Ecumenism. Audio on Moodle * Baptism Eucharist Ministry (WCC) * Called to Be the One Church (WCC) * The Word of God in the Life of the Church (BWA-RCC) Oct 5-10 Oct 12-17 Oct 19-23 Oct 23-24 Oct 26-31 1 That we all may be one? Visions of unity and church-dividing issues That we all may be one? Visions of unity and church-dividing issues That we all may be one? Visions of unity and church-dividing issues Classroom session in Columbus Lutheran Ecumenism Participate in main service at a church in another tradition Audio on Moodle * Church as Communion (ARCIC II) * Some Aspects of the Church Considered as Communion (CDF of the Roman Catholic Church) *Communion: On Being the Church (LWF-WCRC) Audio on Moodle * Church as Koinonia of Salvation (Lutheran-Roman Catholic) * The Church: Towards a Common Vision (WCC) Audio on Moodle Some church-dividing issues: Baptism One Baptism (WCC) Eucharist Susan Wood, A Case of Ecclesial Exclusion and C. Pierson Shaw, Eucharist at a Divided Table Ministry Towards a Statement on the Church, Part II Authority and primacy ARCIC Authority 1 and 2 in Final Report) and Authority III: The Gift of Authority Morals Christian Ethics and the Ecumenical Dialogue and Ecclesiology and Moral Discernment (ARCUSA) and The Ecumenical Dialogue on Moral Issues (JWG) * Called to Common Mission (TEC-ELCA) * Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (LWF- RCC) Report on visit due. 5 Response to another s report due. 7 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 7
Date Topic Assignments * Documents available on Moodle site for the week 2-7 Anglican-Roman Catholic relations * The Final Report (ARCIC I) * Catholic Church s Response to The Final Report * ARCUSA affirmations on the Eucharist as sacrifice * Authority III: The Gift of Authority (ARCIC II) 9-14 16-21 23-28 30- Dec 4 Dec. 4-5 Dec 7-12 Dec 15 Anglican-Orthodox relations Anglican-Reformed Protestant relations Thanksgiving Break Communion and Conflict Classroom session in Columbus Unity, catholicity, and receptive ecumenism End of term * The Church of the Triune God (Anglican-Orthodox International Commission) * God s Reign and Our Unity (Anglican-Reformed International Commission) Time to catch up, work on final paper * Communion, Conflict, and Hope (IATDC) Final paper due Dec. 4 * Rowan Williams retreat addresses to the 2008 Lambeth Conference * Rowan Williams final address to the Anglican Consultative Council All student work due. Extensions must be approved no later than Dec 12 20150406 Fall REV Eccles Ecum syllabus(1).docx 8