Class of 2019 Enrollment Brochure Summer 2016 staff and students Be a Part of the Next Class of this innovative Savannah Presbytery Ministry known as the School of the Laity! Registration Deadline Friday, May 19 th Brought to you by the Education & Training Ministry Team of Savannah Presbytery
The School of the Laity is a groundbreaking lay education ministry of the Savannah Presbytery, sponsored and conducted by the Education and Training Ministry Team. The intent of this program is to prepare lay people for their Christian witness to the world. The Church exists for the sake of the world to do the will of God as revealed in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Focused on Scripture, reformed theology, and ministry, the School of the Laity is a two-year program of weekend classes with additional homework and preparation time. Students participate in a total of three summer sessions, two fall sessions, and two spring sessions. As evidence of their serious intent, students pay tuition fees and provide for their own transportation costs. Classes are held at the beautiful Epworth by the Sea Conference Center on St. Simons Island, GA. Graduates can later apply to enter the Commissioned Ruling Elder Program, a continuing education program that prepares individuals for ministry, and possible commissioning to a church or ministry. History of the J. Richard Bass School of the Laity The School of the Laity began in the 1980s as a vision of the late Rev. Dr. J. Richard Dick Bass, who was then Executive Presbyter of Savannah Presbytery. Dr. Bass saw the desire of laypersons to engage in serious study of scripture, theology, and ministry. In response to that desire, this important program was born. In the fall of 1988, ten lay people of Savannah Presbytery became the first graduating class of this innovative Presbytery ministry. To date approximately 300 laypeople have participated in the School of the Laity, representing two thirds of the churches of the Presbytery. Its graduates are providing outstanding leadership in their congregations, the Presbytery, and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Course Information Summer Courses are held in June and consist of 18 hours of class time with additional hours of pre & post class study. There are three summer sessions, two are taught by Presbyterian Seminary and college professors and the last class is taught by a Presbytery minister. The summer courses are Introduction to the Bible, Introduction to Reformed Theology, and Practical Ministry 2. Fall and Spring Courses are held in October and March and consist of 12 hours of class time with additional hours of pre and post class study. Savannah Presbytery ministers and other qualified leaders teach these studies on Old Testament, New Testament, History, Mission and Polity, and Practical Ministry 1.
Textbooks & Homework Books or Textbooks requested by the instructors may be purchased or borrowed from a church library or from a previous School of the Laity class participant. The cost of the textbooks usually does not exceed $25 per session and information is emailed to participants prior to each class meeting. Homework Papers are required after class work for most sessions to solidify topics discussed. While the papers are not graded, completion of all homework assignments is a requirement for graduation. Tuition & Room and Board Session Tuition is subsidized by the Savannah Presbytery. Please check with your local church regarding scholarship opportunities. Tuition Tuition for the School of the Laity Program may be paid at the beginning of the program ($500) or in increments of $75 (for a total of $525) with each class registration. *Room & Board (Pitts/Booth Motel) prices for 2016 are: Summer Room & Board Charge (includes 6 meals, Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, and 2 nights accommodation) Commuter: $90 (six meals only) Double Occupancy Room: $180/per person Single Occupancy Room: $280 Spring/Fall Course Room & Board Charge (includes 3 meals, Saturday lunch through Sunday breakfast, and 1 night accommodation) Commuter: $45 (three meals only) Double Occupancy Room: $90/per person Single Occupancy Room: $140 *Room & Board prices are subject to change slightly each year based on the fees charged by Epworth. For an additional fee, lodging at the Robertson Inn can be obtained. Registration Procedure 1. Complete and mail the Participant Covenant Form along with your registration for your first class (Intro to the Bible) included in this brochure to the Presbytery (also available for download at www.savannahpresbytery.org). 2. A welcome packet along with pre-class work will be emailed to you prior to summer course, or upon receipt of the Covenant Form.
Course Location: Epworth by the Sea The J. Richard Bass School of the Laity is held at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, GA. Epworth also serves as the home for another popular Savannah Presbytery program, the Leadership Development Conference, which takes place each February. Epworth is a hospitality ministry of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, providing a Christian place for worship, study and fellowship. It offers a wide variety of accommodations and facilities to meet the needs of guests attending retreats and conferences as well as individuals on vacation. Directions to Epworth: From US-17 in Brunswick, take the F.J. Torras Causeway to St. Simons Island. Once you reach St. Simons Island, follow the roundabout left onto Sea Island Road. Go straight through the light at Demere Road. Take the first left at Hamilton Road, then right on Arthur J. Moore Drive. Once you go through the Entrance Gate, the Pitts Building, which houses the Front Desk, will be on your left. Please check in there. Epworth by the Sea is located at 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. If you need help with directions, you can call them directly at (912) 638-8688 YEAR ONE June 9-11, 2017: Introduction to the Bible: Introduces students to the types of literature in the Scripture, study tools, and an eight step strategy for interpreting a passage. Led by Dr. Robert Bryant, Professor of Religion at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. October 7-8, 2017: Old Testament: An in-depth study of several books in the Old Testament using tools learned in the Introduction to the Bible course. Led by Savannah Presbytery pastors. March 10-11, 2018: New Testament: An in depth study of one of the books in the New Testament using tools learned in the Introduction to the Bible course. Led by Savannah Presbytery pastors. YEAR TWO June 8-10, 2018: Introduction to Reformed Theology: A study of the basics of the faith such as sovereignty of God, the Trinity, incarnation, salvation, justification, grace, sanctification, and predestination. Current leader: Dr. Peter Hobbie, Retired Professor of Theology at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. October 13-14, 2018: History, Mission, and Polity: A look at who we are as Reformed Presbyterian Christians, how we reach out to the world around us and how we put our theology into action through our church government. Led by Savannah Presbytery pastors. March 9-10, 2019: Practical Ministry, Part 1: An exploration of some of the personal and interpersonal tools and skills useful to the practice of ministry. Led by Savannah Presbytery pastors.
YEAR THREE (COMPLETION) June 7-9, 2019: Practical Ministry, Part 2: A how to class that seeks to incorporate and integrate all the previous coursework and apply it to practical situations found in the life of the church. Led by Savannah Presbytery pastors. October 2019: Graduation: Held at the Fall Stated Meeting of Savannah Presbytery. Students who have completed all courses and homework will receive a certificate of completion and the School of the Laity pin at the graduation ceremony. Fall & Spring Schedule Saturday 8:00 AM Check In 8:30 Class 12:30 Lunch 1:30 Class 5:30 Group Dinner Sunday 7:00 AM Breakfast 8:30 11:30 Class 11:45 12:30 Worship Summer Schedule Friday 1:00 PM Check In 1:30 Class 5:30 Dinner 6:30-8:30 Class Saturday 7:30 Breakfast 8:30 Class 12:30 Lunch 1:30 Class 5:30 Group Dinner Sunday 7:30 Bkfst/Checkout 8:30 11:30 Class 11:45 12:30 Worship Total Fall/Spring Hours 12 Hrs Total Summer Hours 18 Hrs *Course leaders & schedules are subject to change when necessary and at the discretion of the Education and Training Team of Savannah Presbytery.
Learning doesn t have to stop at graduation! School of the Laity graduates can take advantage of the Continuing Education courses that are offered from time to time. In 2016 we are offering a Preaching class and an Advanced Reformed Theology Class. If you feel a call to serve on a pastoral level, graduates can also enter Savannah Presbytery s Lay Pastor Program and, upon completion, may be eligible to be commissioned to a church or ministry as a Commissioned Ruling Elder. Applications are available from the Presbytery and are submitted to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Courses offered may include but are not limited to: Christian Preaching Worship & Sacrament Christian Education Pastoral Care Authority of Scripture Advanced Presbyterian Polity Advanced Biblical Studies Advanced Reformed Theology Rev. Will Shelburne, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church Savannah, Chair School of the Laity Committee Beth Sutton, Coordinator, School of the Laity Russell Gladding, General Presbyter/Stated Clerk/Treasurer Liz Richardson, Business Manager Savannah Presbytery 3590 Darien Highway, Suite 8 Brunswick, GA 31525 Phone: 912-264-1997 Fax: 912-262-6815 www.savannahpresbytery.org bsutton1@savannahpresbytery.org
COVENANT AGREEMENT NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: Preferred Phone: Email: (required for communications) Home Church: COVENANT I agree to participate in the School of the Laity. I agree to attend and complete all assignments for each course. Finally, I agree that I will seek to apply the learning from the program in my work and ministry as a layperson in the Church universal. Signature: Date: REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE CLASS OF 2019 IS FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2016
REGISTRATION NAME: CLASS of 2019 COURSE TITLE: Introduction to the Bible DATE June 9-11, 2017 The School of the Laity holds classes at Epworth by the Sea located on St. Simons Island, Georgia. All accommodation options include three meals. Commuters must pay even if they do not intend to eat meals per our contract with Epworth. Tuition & accommodation required. Number Attending Per Person Fees Fee Enclosed 1. Course Fee - Tuition $ $75.00/person 2. Choose Accommodation - Per Person Fee COMMUTER $90.00 $ DOUBLE* $180.00 $ SINGLE $280.00 $ Optional Expenses: - Circle fees below to include in total. Per Room/Per Night Upgrade your room to Robertson Inn $15.00/night (may not be available - first come, first served) Total Fee Enclosed: $ *Roommate (if double): The Presbytery cannot arrange roommates. Make checks payable to the Savannah Presbytery indicating SOL ITB in the memo section of the check. Mail this form and your fee to: School of the Laity Savannah Presbytery 3590 Darien HWY Suite 8 Brunswick, GA 31525 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 19, 2017