Spring 2014/England
SP531
Drane/Fleming Drane
SP531: EXPLORING THE CELTIC HERITAGE (4 Units). John Drane and Olive Fleming Drane.
DESCRIPTION: This unique course will be based on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland, England, which was home to St Cuthbert (635-687), in whose honor the illuminated manuscript known as the Lindisfarne Gospels was produced. Beginning with the story of Celtic Christianity, the course will combine reflection on mission in today’s world with space for personal reflection and spiritual nurture. Each day will incorporate worship drawn from different aspects of the Celtic tradition, with input from various spiritual communities on the island. Lindisfarne is accessed via a causeway at low tide, and is the end point of the 62 mile long pilgrim journey known as the St Cuthbert’s Way, which begins in Melrose, Scotland. Some participants may wish to incorporate that journey in their travel plans for getting to Lindisfarne. After the course ends, others may wish to extend their stay to include a visit to the monastery of the Venerable Bede in Jarrow, as well as Durham cathedral, where St Cuthbert is buried (both of which are within less than a two hour journey).
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (a) gain firsthand knowledge of the physical environments which gave birth to Celtic spirituality; (b) become familiar with some of the key aspects of Celtic mission and devotion; (c) understand the challenges and opportunities for creative missional engagement with a post-Christian culture; (d) learn a praxis-reflection way of doing theology.
COURSE FORMAT: The timing of the course for this week has been determined by the tides: the course will begin at 2pm on Monday May 5, and will end at 1pm on Friday May 9. The access causeway will not be open until 10.05am on May 5, and participants are advised to arrive the previous day: there will probably be an informal social gathering on the Sunday evening. The course will meet at St. Cuthbert’s Centre, and will include various walking trips around the island. Students will be responsible for their own housing on the island and this should be made as soon as possible.
REQUIRED READING:
Adams, Ian. Cave, Refectory, Road: Monastic Rhythms for Contemporary Living. Liturgical Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1848250284, Pub. Price $14.95 [97 pp].
Balzer, Tracey. Thin Places: An Evangelical Journey into Celtic Spirituality. Leafwood Publishers, 2007. ISBN: 978-0891125136, Pub. Price $12.99 [163 pp.].
Bradley, Ian. Celtic Christianity: Making Myths and Chasing Dreams. Palgrave Macmillan, 1999. ISBN: 978-0748610471, Pub. Price $9.99 [288 pp.].
Bradley, Ian .The Celtic Way. 2nd ed Darton Longman & Todd, 2004. ISBN: 978-0232520019, Pub. Price $9.99 [144 pp.].
DeWaal, Esther. Every Earthly Blessing: Rediscovering the Celtic Tradition. Morehouse, 1999. ISBN: 978-0819218063, Pub. Price $18.00 [160 pp.].
Hunter, George G III. The Celtic Way of Evangelism. Abingdon Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-1426711374, Pub. Price $17.00 [130 pp.].
Joyce, Timothy J. Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, A Vision of Hope. Orbis, 1998. ISBN: 978-1570751769, Pub. Price $18.00 [180 pp.].
Tristram, Kate. The Story of Holy Island. Canterbury Press, 2012. SBN: 978-1853119453, Pub. Price $22.99 [192 pp.].
Wallace, Martin. The Celtic Saints. Appletree Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1847580054, Pub. Price $27.95 [96 pp.].
Wilson-Hartgrove, Jonathan. New Monasticism. Brazos Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-1587432248, Pub. Price $15.99 [147 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Pre-seminar:
Complete all the reading and write 1000 word reviews on any two books of your choice (20% of final grade).
In-seminar:
Create a daily journal (40% of final grade).
Post-seminar: a final project of approximately 3750 words, or its equivalent. 20-30 page reflective paper (40% of final grade).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None