Spiritual Formation and Older Adults Online
Older Adult Ministry Certificate Course

September 25 – October 30, 2024

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 mortality. A primary concern of the aging process is, “How will we live generatively into this fierce and liberating season of life?” 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 Contemplative Spiritual Direction program with the Center for Lifelong Learning 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: Live sessions will take place via Zoom from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET on the following Wednesdays: September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. 

Week of September 25: Personal and Communal Models of Aging and Graced Human Development
Week of October 2: Defining Spirituality and the Role of Mindfulness in Spiritual Formation
Week of October 9: Harvesting our Lives, and Death as A Spiritual Practice
Week of October 16: The Elderly and Christian Vocation (will include a panel of elders)
Week of October 23: Dementia and The Gift of Years 
Week of October 30: Course Wrap-up

Program Fee: $265. Early registration discount of $30 available until July 29, 2024.

Additional Information: Please register with an address we can mail course materials to. 

Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu
 

Earning CEUs for this course: If you desire to earn a certificate confirming earned CEUs in this course, please contact the Center for Lifelong Learning.

In order to qualify for CEUs in this course you must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Confirm that you have read any assigned texts.
  2. Participated in the full course and all discussions.
  3. Completed any assignments, papers, and projects.
  4. Completed the course evaluation.
  5. Made a formal request for a CEU certificate.