Online Offerings
Aware of the global and local challenges faith-based professionals face daily, the Boston University School of Theology (STH) strives to keep religious leaders well-equipped for serving a broken but hopeful world. STH offers online opportunities for continuing your theological education in conversation with diverse students and world-class professors.
Current Offerings
Current Offerings
Free Jazz Fridays for Spiritual Renewal
What came to be known as “free” jazz emerged during the late 1950s and early 1960s as musicians endeavored to find a language for expressing themselves unconstrained by old paradigms. The curious listener will discover how these artists redefined the laws of jazz by pushing improvisation to new limits, capturing the full range of human emotion.
Over six weeks, we’ll engage the music of free jazz pioneers Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, Alice Coltrane, and John Coltrane, as well as modern leaders of the subgenre. We’ll explore the spiritual qualities of their repertoire by listening to albums, watching performances, and reflecting together in small and large groups. This offering aims to bring spiritual renewal to those seeking a Lenten practice, a free jazz listening club, or an avant-garde prayer group.
Session 1 “Consecrating the Elements”
Framing our Time
- Introductions, definitions, and method
Session 2 “Truth is Marching In”
The Reverend: Albert Ayler
Session 3 “A Strange Celestial Road”
The Mystics: Sun Ra & the Arkestra
Session 4 “Transcendence”
The Guru: Alice Coltrane
Session 5 “A Love Supreme”
The Saint: John Coltrane
Session 6 “The Newest Testament”
Modern Prophets
Meeting dates are Fridays for 6 sessions beginning on Friday, February 28th. Subsequent sessions are on March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and April 4th. Sessions run from 6:30 – 8pm Eastern.
Instructor: Rev. Andrew Kimble ‘19 directs Online Lifelong Learning at Boston University School of Theology while co-leading alumni engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. An ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Kimble appreciates the spiritual dimension of human expression.
Materials Needed: (1) Computer and internet capable of video conferencing software Zoom. (2) A music streaming service such as Apple Music, Spotify, or Bandcamp. (3) Scanned excerpts will be distributed, but for a deeper dive, you may purchase the reading list for about $125.
Cost: $60 standard or $100 with CEU credit. A $10 discount will be applied for alumni/ae of Boston University School of Theology.
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Mini-Courses
STH is offering online mini-courses addressing specific issues and empowering participants to walk away with an implementable plan or process. They include peer-learning opportunities and community support networks.
STH is partnering with the Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER) at the BU School of Social Work (SSW) to offer some additional programming for clergy on issues related to mental health awareness in an aging population.
Past Offerings
Let us know if you would like to see any of these offered again!
Preaching Mark with Different Voices
Preaching the Gospel in Today’s World
Speaking of Life because of Death
Prayer Practices: Time-Honored Refreshers for your Spiritual Life
Sirviendo a Indigenas En Nuestra Comunidad (Spanish language)
Practical Hope
Reflecting with Howard Thurman
Remote Ministry to Elders during Advent
Church Mission in Uncertainty and Adversity
Leading Community Lament
Discerning Vocation in Changing Times
Asset Mapping to Develop Your Community – an ABCD Approach
Embodying the Spirit of Afrofuturism
Reflecting on the Poetry of Joy Harjo
A Spirituality of Suffering as Depicted in African-American Films
Conflict Transformation Close to Home: How to Have Hard Conversations Across Ideological Differences
Moving Upstream: Spiritual Care Plans as a Tool for Proactive Pastoral Care
Spirituality Groups
STH is gathering spirituality groups to create community around some spiritual explorations from contemporary fiction and film, to today’s wisdom figures, to traditional practices worthy of reviving.
Past Offerings
Let us know if you would like to see any of these offered again!
A Womanist Sports Ethic of Care
Sustaining Spirits While Empires Crumble
Sports as Sacred Activity
Darn It All: A Mending Spirituality Reflection Group for Helping Professionals
Theology of Culture, Ethics of the Other, and Video Games
Responses to Brokenness
Prayer Reflecting on Suffering, Death, and Resurrection in Christian Visual Art
Prayer Practices: Reflecting with Mary Oliver
Prayer Practices: Time-Honored Refreshers for your Spiritual Life
Practical Hope
Reflecting with Howard Thurman
Remote Ministry to Elders during Advent
Church Mission in Uncertainty and Adversity
Leading Community Lament
Discerning Vocation in Changing Times
Asset Mapping to Develop Your Community – an ABCD Approach
Embodying the Spirit of Afrofuturism
Reflecting on the Poetry of Joy Harjo
A Spirituality of Suffering as Depicted in African-American Films
Conflict Transformation Close to Home: How to Have Hard Conversations Across Ideological Differences
Moving Upstream: Spiritual Care Plans as a Tool for Proactive Pastoral Care
Please see our FAQ page for common concerns and technical questions. If you want to suggest future topics, please email sthcooll@bu.edu.
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