Rites of Passage: New Beginnings

Catalog description

Taught by SKSM. New beginnings - like marriage or the birth/adoption of a child - are joyful, but they can also demand the navigation of complicated family dynamics. The wise religious/spiritual leader is prepared to celebrate these occasions reverently and responsibly. Most of this weekend intensive course will focus on weddings, which require that clergy/officiants wield several separate but interrelated skill sets: ministry as relationship-building (often with an unchurched couple); attention to the theology, language, and liturgical flow that provide ceremonies with depth and meaning; and the "ad-ministry" of attention to details that, if held carefully, will lead to a seamless rehearsal and ceremony. We'll spend time on best practices, the importance of contracts, and creating savvy boundaries. A portion of the weekend will address ceremonies that celebrate the arrival of children into families - whether through birth or adoption. Students will also have the opportunity to explore rites of passage celebrating other forms of "new beginnings." Students may take both or one of the Rites of Passage intensive weekend courses. This course relates to SKSM Thresholds 1, 5, 8 and MFC Comps 1 & 2. Evaluation method: reflection papers, role play scenarios. Intended Audience - MDiv, MA/MTS, DMin. [20 max enrollment]. This course is hybrid and meets: Friday, 3/22/2019, from 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday, 3/23/2019, from 10:00am-6:00pm; Sunday, 3/24/2019, 1:00pm-7:00pm; at SKSM.