General Classes, Workshops, and Seminars

Upcoming Offerings

Nurtured by God’s Word / A Workshop for Christian Educators (1112-33)

Journey Inward; Journey Outward

Steven S. Tuell, Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, PTS
Christian educators need strong support to serve effectively and to avoid burnout as they work in their home church settings. This on-going series of workshops provides an opportunity for all those who are engaged in directing education in congregations to grow both spiritually and professionally. The event includes a keynote presentation and individual workshops oriented to providing inspiration and practical guidance for Christian educators. / Tues., April 17, 2012 / 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. / $25 / 0.4 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form                   Online Registration

Greece and Turkey: An Introduction to Christian and Ancient Sites (1112-40)

James E. Davison, Director of Continuing Education and Lecturer in Greek Language and Exegesis, PTS
Presented in conjunction with the May study tour to Greece and Turkey (see Trips), this three-week series will introduce major sites where much of western religious and cultural history took root. The classes will focus in turn on classical and Christian Greece, New Testament and Muslim Turkey, and the islands of the Aegean. The course will be informative not only for trip participants, but for all who are interested in the lands of Greece and Turkey in connection with the Christian gospel. / Mondays, 7:00-9:00 p.m. / April 23 – May 7, 2012 / $35 / 0.6 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form                    Online Registration

God and Cancer: Interpreting, Praying, and Care-giving in Pastoral Settings  (1112-43)

Pastoral Care Seminar

Leonard M. Hummel, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, with a response by Andrew Purves, Professor of Reformed Theology, PTS
Scientists have learned that cancer evolves through the complex interplay of chance occurrence and law-like regularities.  Starting with evolutionary biology of cancer, Hummel will draw us to reflect on the theological questions that confront every pastor: How can we connect "God and cancer"? How can we understand God's love at work within the evolutionary chance and necessity that underlie all dimensions of cancer? / Wednesday, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. / May 9, 2012 / $15 / 0.25 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Information                    Online Registration

The Death of Death: Perspectives on the Afterlife (1112-39)

Jewish and Christian Theological Dialogue

Neil Gillman, Professor of Jewish Philosophy, The Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City; and Steven S. Tuell, Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, PTS
Co-sponsored with the Agency for Jewish Learning in Squirrel Hill (Pittsburgh), this program will provide fresh insights into how our two religious traditions approach the Scriptures. The specific topic to be discussed will be determined jointly by the two presenters. / Tues., May 22, 2012 / 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m./  $25 / 0.3 CEUs

Brochure/Registration Form          Online Registration: GPRA Members           Online Registration: Non-GPRA Members

Toward the Future Church: the Relevance of Cultural Movements and Individual Stories of Faith for Christian Life Today (1112-41)

Summer Leadership Conference

Phyllis Tickle, Author, Lecturer, CEO, Tickle Inc., and Founding Editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly; Joseph Kwak, Senior Pastor, Jesus Hope Presbyterian Church, Seoul, Korea, and Scott W. Sunquist, Professor of World Christianity, PTS
Now in its 72^nd year, this annual conference provides spiritual enrichment and growth both for clergy and church members. It seeks especially to provide insights and ideas for them to carry back home to strengthen their own congregations. / Sun., June 10, 7:00 p.m. – Wed., June 13, 5:00 p.m., 2012 / Early registration (by April 1): $105; Early registration with housing (by April 1): $215; Regular registration (through May 15): $130; Regular registration with housing (through May 15): $240; Later registration:  $145.  Limited housing is available on campus.  Group discounts available.  / 1.8 CEUs

Brochure          Online Registration                    Conference Schedule

Completed Offerings for 2011-12

Building Blocks of Faith / 28^th Annual Teacher Training Workshop (1112-04)

Kathy Dawson, Associate Professor of Christian Education, Columbia Theological Seminary and David Brewton and Praise Team
Our annual Teacher Training Workshop offers information and instruction for teachers of all grade levels. In addition to the keynote presentation, workshops will be offered on a variety of topics aimed at both new and seasoned teachers. This greatly loved fall workshop is co-sponsored by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh Presbytery, and Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. / Sat., Sept. 24, 2011 / 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. / $20 ($25 after Sept. 12) / 0.4 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form               

Living in Christ, the Word of Truth: Spiritual Reflections on Themes from Colossians (1112-06)

Andrew Purves, Professor of Reformed Theology, PTS
This series of reflections on formation in Christ originates in materials that Dr. Purves prepared for The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible, just one year after he underwent cancer surgery and follow-up chemotherapy. Some of the thoughts he will present on spiritual formation in this series of classes developed out of that part of his journey. / Tuesday evenings, Sept. 27–Oct. 18, 2011 / 7:30-9:00 p.m. / $45 / 0.6 CEUs NOTE:  The Sept. 27 session will not be broadast at the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery in Wheeling, W. Va.

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Alzheimer's Disease: Thinking Broadly about the Aging Brain and the Family (1112-07)

Pittsburgh Family Systems Conference and Symposia

Peter J. Whitehouse, Professor of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University; and Robert J. Noone, marriage and family counselor
This year the Department of Continuing Education is co-sponsoring the Western Pennsylvania Family Center’s major annual conference, which will be presented on the Seminary campus. Contact the Family Center for more information, at www.wpfc.net, or 412-362-2295. / Fri., Sept. 30–Sat., Oct. 1, 2011

Brochure

Restoring the Holy to Worship (1112-10)

N. Graham Standish, Pastor; and David Bruce Smith, Director of Music, Calvin Presbyterian Church, Zelienople, Pa.
In 20 years of “worship wars,” churches have often lost an emphasis on creating worship that helps people to encounter and experience God. This workshop will help pastors and lay leaders assess whether their worship services are Christ-focused…or mis-focused! It will help you discern steps to take to create worship that enables people to sense the Holy in a way that transforms their lives each Sunday. / Wed., Oct. 5, 1:00 p.m.–Thurs., Oct. 6, 4:00 p.m., 2011 / $85 / 0.9 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form 

Polishing Your New Testament Greek Reading (1112-11 & 1112-22)

James A. Durlesser, Lecturer in Biblical Languages, PTS, and retired pastor (UMC)
Offered in three “terms,” area clergy are invited to join in one or all to refresh their Greek by reading together selections from the New Testament and reviewing essential points of grammar. Themes for the three terms are: Advent readings, Lenten readings, and the Letter to the Galatians. / Wednesdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m., (Term 1) Oct. 5 – Nov. 9, 2011; (Term 2) Jan. 11 – Feb. 15; (Term 3) March 14 – April 25, 2012 / $90 per term; $250 for all 3 terms/ 0.9 CEUs per term

Brochure and Registration Form          

Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission (1112-15)

A Church Educators’ Certification Elective

Joyce MacKichan Walker, Minister of Education, Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, N.J.
This course meets two of the requirements for certification as an Educator in the PC(USA). The first half of the course will provide a basic understanding of the materials that are available to help in developing a congregation's "program and mission." In the second half, participants will learn how the new Form of Government can guide and strengthen their work, helping and freeing them to "do all things decently and in order." Persons who have already completed one of these requirements may, if they wish, register for the portion they need. / Mon., Oct. 24, 9:00 a.m.–Fri., Oct. 28, 3:00 p.m., 2011 / $245 ($270 after Sept. 27) / 3.0 CEUs 

Brochure and Registration Form            

Mission at Home and Abroad: A Workshop Series for Church Educators (1112-16)

Journey Inward; Journey Outward

Joyce MacKichan Walker, Minister of Education at Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, N.J
Christian educators need strong support to serve effectively and to avoid burnout as they work in their home church settings. This on-going series of workshops provides an opportunity for all those who are engaged in directing education in congregations to grow both spiritually and professionally. The event includes a keynote presentation and individual workshops oriented to providing inspiration and practical guidance for Christian educators. / Thurs., Oct. 27, 2011 / 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. / $25 / 0.4 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form           

Growing into Tomorrow …Today: A Retirement Planning Seminar (1112-17)

A Service of the Board of Pensions

Join The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for a holistic retirement planning seminar designed to help mid- to late-career Benefits Plan members explore steps they can take today to prepare for their best retirement tomorrow. The seminar will be led by a Board of Pensions Education Specialist and Retirement Planning Consultant couple. Seating is limited to 30 participants. Visit the “Educational Resources” section of www.pensions.org to view the seminar content overview and listings. / Wed., Nov. 2, 9:00 a.m. – Thurs., Nov. 3, 5:00 p.m., 2011 / Seminar is a service of the BOP at no charge to members. / Refreshments and lodging extra.

Brochure

The Future of the Church (1112-21)

A Broadcast Program

Edwin Chr. Van Driel, Assistant Professor of Theology, PTS
As the Church faces the future, we find congregations exhausted by unresolved conflicts, anxious about declining membership, and nervously eying competitors in the religious marketplace. Rather than offering quick fixes and techniques, this course delves deeply into our theological resources to help pastors and their congregations re-think what it is to be “church” and how to live faithfully and joyfully as a community rooted in God’s future. / Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. / Jan. 10-31, 2012 / $60 / 0.6 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form           

Building Faith Online: Using Social Media in Ministry (1112-23)

Deirdre King Hainsworth, Assistant Professor of Ethics and Director of the Center for Business, Religion and Public Life, PTS
In this course, new and experienced users of online resources will learn new ways of integrating technology into ministry. Participants will look at effective and creative models for using Facebook, blogs, online discussions and video, and more; learn about recent research in human-computer interaction that can inform the church's use of these technologies; and reflect on the opportunities and challenges of social media for local congregations. / Fridays Jan. 13 – Feb. 3, 2012 / 10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. / $80 / 0.8 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form         

Genesis and the Moral Imagination (1112-27)

Jerome Creach, Robert C. Holland Professor of Old Testament, PTS
This study of the book of Genesis will explore some of the Bible's most popular stories with a view toward their moral and ethical concerns. Among the issues to be covered are care for the natural world and the maintenance of justice. These and similar issues will be traced particularly as they emerge from Genesis. / Mondays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. / March 12 – April 2, 2012 / $80 / 0.8 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form           

Polishing Your New Testament Greek Reading (1112-28)

James A. Durlesser, Lecturer in Biblical Languages, PTS, and retired pastor (UMC)
Offered in three “terms,” area clergy are invited to join in one or all to refresh their Greek by reading together selections from the New Testament and reviewing essential points of grammar. The theme for the third term is  the Letter to the Galatians. / Wednesdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m., (Term 3) March 14 – April 25, 2012 / $90 / 0.9 CEUs 

Brochure and Registration Form            

Biblical Interpretation (1112-32) Cancelled

A Church Educators’ Certification Elective

James H. Platt, Lecturer in Greek, PTS
While intended to meet one of the requirements for certification as an Educator in the PC(USA), others will also find this course useful for understanding the Bible more fully, and persons from all denominations are welcome to attend. The course will focus on the basics of interpreting the various kinds of literature in the Scriptures in appropriate and life-giving ways. / Mon., April 16, 9:00 a.m. – Fri., April 20, 2012, 3:00 p.m. / $245 ($270 after Feb. 28) / 3.0 CEUs

Brochure and Registration Form