Course Description: The last third of life presents some of life’s richest spiritual, theological and ethical challenges. The journey of aging passes through both stable periods and times of transition which include pressing questions related to identity, leaving a legacy, loss of relationships, role in family and community, and facing diminishment and death.
A primary concern of the aging process is, “How will we live generatively into the reality of increased loss and diminishment?” This course will explore how congregations and other communities of faith can engage in conversations and practices that will allow them to actively nurture spiritual formation into older adulthood.
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
- Describe their own practice of ministry, particularly spiritual formation among older adults.
- Articulate key spiritual and ethical issues that elders typically face.
- Describe the transitions that mark and define older adult spiritual development.
- Learn practices that can enrich spiritual formation, including that of spiritual autobiography.
- Explore and apply strategies for spiritual growth in elders and in aging congregations.
- Share resources for spiritual growth of older adults.
The course will draw upon readings from Richard Rohr, Joan Chittister, and Fred Craddock. Participants taking the course for certificate credit will complete a final project.
With: Mary Anona Stoops has served congregations in Melbourne, Australia; Rochester, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; and Hastings, Nebraska, and is delighted to currently be serving at North Decatur Presbyterian Church in the realm of adult spiritual formation, with a particular eye toward the care and spiritual nurture of older adults. Mary Anona also serves as spiritual director and is part of the leadership team for the Certificate in Spiritual Direction program at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. Mary Anona loves exploring and adventure and is convinced that at any age the greatest adventure of all is the journey into the inner landscape of the soul.
Schedule: The following is the schedule of weekly topics. Live sessions will take place via Zoom from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET on the following Thursdays: March 9, 16, 23 and 30, and April 13. There will not be a live session the week of April 3, which is Holy Week.
Week of March 6: Personal and Communal Models of Aging and Graced Human Development
Week of March 13: Defining Spirituality and the Role of Mindfulness in Spiritual Formation
Week of March 20: Harvesting our Lives, and Death as A Spiritual Practice
Week of March 27: The Elderly and Christian Vocation (will include a panel of elders)
Week of April 3: Dementia and Spirituality (no live session; asynchronous session only)
Week of April 10: The Gift of Years
Program Fee: Early registration $215 prior to February 1,2023;registrations after that date are the full program fee of $250. Discounts for CTS students, staff and faculty and 2022 graduates.
Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu
