On-Line Distance Learning
July 5- Ocotber 24, 2008
Storytelling in the Gospels, Storylistening in our Lives
Parables, Miracle Stories, & Infancy Narratives & the Passion Narrative
from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John & parallels in the storytelling of the Early Church
Week 1 - July 7 - Introducing parables and other storytelling forms in the Gospels
Exploring the differences of metaphor, parable, hymn, meditation and narrative. How we think in the language of stories in our daily lives.
Week 2 - July 21 - Storytelling in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew
Telling stories with and eye towards the past and the present.. How memories and traditions shape our stories in the present moment.
Week 3 - August 4 - Storytelling in the Gospel & Acts of Luke
Telling stories with and eye towards the future. Storytelling as an act of hopefulness in our journey towards our future.
Week 4 - August 18 - Storytelling in the Gospel of John
Telling stories with and eye towards the eternal now. Storytelling and Listening as Prayer rooted in our awareness of God's presence.
Week 5 - September 1 - Miracle Stories and Testimonial Tales
Miracle stories from the public ministry of Jesus and the post-resurrection appearances. Stories & Parables that reveal the indwelling of God's Spirit.
Week 6 - September 15 - Telling the Infancy Narratives
Matthew and Luke and their differing styles in creating midrashic tellings. Stories and a Spirituality of Wonder.
Week 7 - September 29 - Telling the Passion Narratives
Mark's passion narrative as the brief version. The more embellished tellings of the other evangelists. Stories and a Spirituality of Healing.
Week 8 - October 13 - Passion Narratives in the Apostolic Church: How Christians enter into the Baptism of Christ
How Christians enter into the baptism of Christ. The stories of Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, and Perpetua and Felicty. Stories for us Today.
October 24 - Class Ends
Weekly Format - Every Other Monday the instructor emails a number of documents to the students. These include (1) a written text, (2) a sound-file, and (3) a short assignment. (Also, the weekly issue of the "Lectionary Storybook" which is an enrichment resource but not assigned reading or listening.) During the next few days the student completes this short written assignment and emails it back to the instructor. The instructor comments on the assignment, and sends both the original assignment and the comments to all of the students by email. There is open discussion over the two weeks. Estimated time per class every week is about 2 hours, determined and self-regulated by the student alone. There are no scheduled online meeting times - Everyone works at their own pace whenever they have the time. To receive credit, all eight assignments need to be submitted and accepted. There is no marking or grade system. Each course is a simple "complete" or "incomplete." Students who cannot complete assignments by the calendar date of ending can automatically request an 8-week extension. Key values in these courses are (1) one-to-one personalized learning between the instructor and each student, (2) Free and open discussion among the entire community of learners in the class. Key goals are (1) deepening knowledge and mastery of sacred storytelling skills, and (2) application of these skills to the student's life, work, or ministry. The online seminar is designed to be enjoyable as well as informative.
Credit towards the Apprenticeship in Sacred Storytelling
This online seminar consitutes one (1) unit toward completion of the Apprenticeship in Sacred Storytelling. A total of ten units (10) completes the requirements for graudation and award of a Certificate as Master Storyteller. The nine units include:
3 Master Classes (on site)
3 online preparations for Master Classes
3 elective seminars or retreats (on site or online)
1 independent apprenticeship project
Limited to Nine Participants.
Register Here for On-Line Seminar. Tuition is $495
(Includes a one-year subscription to the Lectionary Storybook, a $199 value, FREE)
Free One-Year Subscription to Parables Today: The Lectionary Storybook
As a registered student in the School for this online seminar, you will receive Parables Today for an entire year
For each additional online course, you receive an extension of your subscription for another year.
Parables Today, the Lectionary Storybook includes 156 stories for the Sunday lectionary readings over a three-year cycle.
Each issue contains written texts and audio sound-files
"The Small Print" - Online courses are tutorial, meaning that the instructor is committed to individualized instruction to help the student discover unique gifts and strengths as a storyteller. At the same time, a small community of learners, limited to 9 students, is at the heart of the seminar. In return for written and audio resources, and weekly discussion and evaluation, the student is expected to complete assignments and pay tuition. The tuition is due before class begins and is not refundable. Completion of course requirements can be delayed by agreement between the instructor and the student. All courses are applicable to the Apprenticeship or Fellows programs of the School of Sacred Storytelling for graduation and certification.