Hartford Seminary
14th Annual Summer Institute
United Church of Christ History, Theology and Polity (HI-565)
June 18 – June 29, 2007
Offered in connection with General Synod 26, Hartford, CT
REVISED SYLLABUS
Course Instructors:
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Kent Siladi
56 Davis Drive
Guilford, CT 06437
Telephone: 203-453-0614
Email:
kents@ctucc.org |
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Barbara Brown Zikmund
4545 Connecticut Ave.
NW #510
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 202-537-0242
Email: beebeezee@verizon.net
zikmund@cua.edu |
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The Rev. Anita L. Bradshaw, Ph.D.
4225 24th Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Telephone: 612-791-8217
Email:
albsrs@earthlink.net |
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Rev. Clyde J. Steckel
2580 Kenzie Terrace,
Apt. 207A
St. Anthony, MN 55418-4147
Telephone: 612-788-9261
Email:
steckelcj@msn.com |
Course Goals and Objectives:
The curriculum builds on consensus goals and objectives that have been developed by the network of UCC History, Theology and Polity professors.
This course will acquaint students with the following aspects of the United Church of Christ:
1. the history of the four strands that merged to form the UCC;
2. the contributions of the various “hidden” groups;
3. the events, process, and people of the 1957 mergers;
4. the organizational structure;
5. the theology underpinning the history, structure and mission;
6. the mission and work;
7. the ecumenical relationships and involvements;
8. the governance, order, and financial arrangements;
9. the theology of ministry and leadership;
10. the process of ordination, placement and standing;
11. the understanding of pastoral ethics;
12. the theology and practice of worship, sacraments and hymnody; and
13. the future of the United Church of Christ.
*Required Texts (available through the Hartford Seminary bookstore)
Trost, Frederick and Barbara Brown Zikmund, eds.,
The Living Theological Heritage of the UCC vol. VII
Walker, Randi Jones. The Evolution of a UCC Style
Bailey and Golder, eds. UCC @ 50 : Our History, Our Future
(participants are expected to obtain copies of these books and do major reading before the Institute, some readings will be on a website available to those who have registered)
Recommended Resources:
(These books are appropriate for a UCC library, but not required. When chapters or sections of these books are assigned reading, they will be on reserve in the library or posted on a password protected website)
The Living Theological Heritage of the UCC vols. 1-VI
Walker, Williston. Creeds and Platforms of Congregationalism
Von Rohr, John. The Shaping of American Congregationalism
Dunn, David, et. al. eds. A History of the Evangelical and Reformed Church
Gunnemann, Louis H. The Shaping of the United Church of Christ: An Essay in
the History of American Christianity
Long, Edward L. Patterns of Polity: Varieties of Church Governance
Paul, Robert S. Freedom with Order: The Doctrine of the Church in the UCC
Zikmund, Barbara Brown, ed. Hidden Histories in the UCC, vol. I & II
Johnson, Daniel L. and Charles Hambrick-Stowe, eds. Theology and Identity: Traditions, Movements, and Polity in the United Church of Christ
Shinn, Roger. Confessing our Faith: An Interpretation of the Statement of Faith of
the UCC
Gunnemann, Louis H. United and Uniting: The Meaning of an Ecclesial Journey
Trost, Frederick, ed. On the Way: The Teaching Church
Paeth, Scott R. ed. Who do You Say that I am? Christology & Identity in the UCC
Fackre, Gabriel. Believing, Caring and Doing in the UCC
UCC Book of Worship
The New Century Hymnal
UCC Manual on Ministry (available online and in print form)
Tom Dipko, rev. ed. History and Program of the UCC
INSTITUTE SCHEDULE
This is a very intensive course and it will be difficult to commute any great distance.
Sessions will meet at Hartford Seminary for the first three and a half days and after Synod for the final two and a half days from 9 to noon and from 3:30 to 6:30 with a long break for lunch and library work. The other days will be spent at the General Synod.
PRE-SYNOD
Monday, June 18, 2007
2:30 pm to 6:30 pm WHO AND WHAT IS THE UCC?
Preparation:
*Read UCC @ 50 (complete)
Read Long, Patterns Introduction and Chapter 8 (on reserve or website)
Read “UCC Polity” from the Leaders Box. hhttp://www.ucc.org/ministers/leaders-box/ click on “Perspectives”
Read “UCC Constitution and Bylaws” http://www.ucc.org/about-us/constitution-of-the-ucc.html
Read Gunneman, Shaping Chapter 5 (on reserve or website)
Read Short Course on the UCC http://www.ucc.org/about-us/short-course/
or History and Program of the UCC (total)
Read LTH vol VI intro to Part 5 pps. 503-518 (on reserve or website)
Institute session
Opening Worship in the Hartford Seminary Chapel
Class Introductions (please post your personal introduction on the course website by June11)
Video Celebration I
Still Speaking Initiative explore http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/
Discussion of UCC @ 50
Historical Overview
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
9:00 am to noon UCC THEOLOGY
Preparation:
Read “UCC Theology” in the Leaders Box http://www.ucc.org/ministers/leaders-box/click on “Perspectives”
*Read Walker, Evolution, chapters 3 and 4 pps. 53-128.
*Read LTH vol. VII Intro Part 1 pps. 1-7
*Read LTH vol. VII Intro Part 3 pps. 147-154 and Part 4 pps. 283-293 (on reserve)
*Read “UCC Basis of Union” http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/basis-of-union.html or LTH:VII:1
*Read Preamble to the UCC Constitution http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/preamble-to-the-constitution.html or LTH VII:8
*Read the UCC Statement of Faith http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/statement-of-faith.html and LTH VII:3-7
Read 1986 Theol. Foundations of a Just Peace Church http://www.ucc.org/justice/issues/peacemaking/pdfs/Just-Peace-Church-Pronouncement.pdf
Read 1987 Statement of Mission http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/statement-of-mission.html
Read 1993 Toward the 21st Century http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/toward-the-21st-century.html
Read 1993 Multiracial Multicultural Church http://www.ucc.org/men/multiracial-and-multicultural.html
Institute session
Worship in the Hartford Seminary Chapel (shared leadership)
Discuss key documents that express UCC theology
3:30 pm to 6:30 pm EUROPEAN ROOTS & COLONIAL BEGINNINGS
Preparation
Prepare to make biographical presentations on colonial leaders
Read the Cambridge Platform http://www.pragmatism.org/american/cambridge_platform.htm
Read the Burial Hill Declaration http://www.maxfieldbooks.com/eofburialt.html
Read the Kansas City Statement of Faith http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/kansas-city-statement-of.html
Read the Heidelberg Catechism http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/heidelberg-catechism.html
Read Schaff, Philip “The Principle of Protestantism” (Mercersburg Theology) on reserve or website)
Institute session
Class presentations: Biographical sketches of Congregational and Reformed leaders
In class review of documents from LTH vols. II and III
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
9:00 am to noon AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LIFE AND FRONTIER EXPANSION
Preparation
Prepare to make biographical presentations on Christian and Evangelical leaders
Read the “Six Principles of the Christian Church” http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/principles-of-the-christian.html
Read the “Bekenntnisparagraph” (on reserve or website)
Read the “Evangelical Catechism” http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/evangelical-catechism.html
Read four chapters from Hidden Histories vol. I http://www.ucc.org/about-us/hidden-histories/
(American Indian, Afro-Christian, German Congregational and Deaconesses)
Institute session
Worship in the Hartford Seminary Chapel (shared leadership)
Class presentations: Biographical sketches of key Christian and Evangelical leaders
In class review of documents from LTH vols. IV and V
3:30 pm to 6:30 pm HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY DIVERSITY
Preparation
Some class members prepare to report on one chapter from Hidden Histories vol. I and II http://www.ucc.org/about-us/hidden-histories/ (HH vol. II but is available in the Course Documents folder)
Some class members prepare to share information on diverse groups in the UCC
*Read Essex, Barbara "Black Theology" LTH VII:116
*Read Ringe, Sharon “Feminist Theology” LTH VII:65
*Read Hirano, David "Theology among Asian Americans in the UCC" LTH VII:129
*Read Jackson, Norman "An Indian Perspective on the UCC" LTH VII:124
*Read Armijo, Enrique "Immigrant Theology" LTH VII:137
Read the “Introduction” and Chap. I “A Detour with Destiny: The Journey of the Amistad” from Holliday, Joyce On the Heels of Freedom (on reserve and website)
Institute session
Class presentations on diverse communities and perspectives in the UCC
Discussion of key documents from LTH VII
Thursday, June 21, 2007
9:00 am to 11:00 am RETROSPECTIVE SUMMARY
Preparation
Review notes and readings for a brief in-class quiz on key aspects of UCC History
Institute session
Worship in the Hartford Seminary Chapel (shared leadership)
Quiz
Discussion of the Amistad story and African American history in the UCC
Look at the three minute online video “Amistad Rising” – it is the laying of the keel of the Amistad at Mystic Seaport, CT.
11:00 am to 3:00 pm TRIP TO SEE THE LAUNCHING OF THE AMISTAD
Long Wharf, New Haven, CT
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
GENERAL SYNOD BRIEFING SESSION (at Hartford Seminary)
Preparation (things on this list should be done BEFORE the Institute begins)
Pre-register as a visitor at http://ucc.org and pay the registration fee to get materials
Visit the General Synod website to look at the proposed AGENDA
Review Standing Rules (online), maybe look at old minutes, get a feel for GS
View the videos and theme information
Become familiar with the “Synod in the City” events scheduled on Saturday, June 23
http://www.ucc.org/50/events/ (plan your participation - optional)
Institute session
Review agenda, plan our time, answer questions, etc. Plan to keep a journal, photos.
Closing worship together with sharing of hopes and concerns about General Synod
Friday, June 22, 2007
GENERAL SYNOD 26 DAY 1
Morning
Pick up registration materials, nametags, etc.
Meet for a guided group walk through of the exhibit areas and a chance to meet people
Generally “hang out” at the Civic Center
Afternoon
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Attend hearings on issues of your choice
2:20 pm meet the class and sit together at the Opening Session (2:30 pm)
Dinner on your own
Evening
7:00 pm meet the class and sit together for the Opening Worship (7:30 pm)
Saturday, June 23, 2007
GENERAL SYNOD 26 DAY 2
“Synod in the City”
8:30 am Opening Worship with Bill Moyers (sit together – optional)
(activities all day)
7:30 pm Closing Celebration (sit together – optional)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
GENERAL SYNOD 26 DAY 3
Morning
Community groups, worship in local churches
Afternoon
2:45 pm meet the class to sit together for the Wider Community Worship (Civic Center)
Evening
Committees meet. Initially both visitors and delegates meet in committees. This is a good time to meet people. Later you can attend the committee as an observer –until the Committee goes into closed session to prepare its report to GS. This is a good way to participate in the process. (Note: There will also be special programs for visitors – pick and choose. Look at the sponsored meals and the after hours sessions. The class will sponsor a forum to celebrate the 50th Anniversary – not scheduled yet.)
After Hours "An Open Forum with UCC Leaders"
This Forum is sponsored by this course. It is open to all (although some Committees may still be working). The format is for members of the class to ask a panel of leaders questions. We will do more planning about this before Synod begins.
Monday, June 25, 2007
GENERAL SYNOD 26 DAY 4
Conference caucus breakfasts
Morning 8:30 am
This is the working day for the Committees. You can continue to visit committees and observe. Or there are service projects you can sign up for. There are sponsored meals to attend to hear interesting speakers. If you don’t want to pay the meal price, you can sometimes go to the room near the end of the meal and stand or sit at the back to hear the speaker. (Note: BBZ is the speaker at the Women in Ministry lunch on Tuesday).
Afternoon
2:30 pm Plenary Business Session (includes a speech by Marian Wright Edelman). We will establish a place in the visitors’ area where the class can sit together. You can come and go. Sometimes it is helpful to be with the group to keep track of what is going on. We may be able to schedule some Institute sessions with key leaders.
Evening Plenary Business Session and Closing Prayers
After hours forums and receptions
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
GENERAL SYNOD 26 DAY 5
Conference caucus breakfasts
Morning 8:30 am
Plenary Business Session
Afternoon
Plenary Business Session
Evening
Plenary Business Session
Closing Worship
POST SYNOD
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
(at Hartford Seminary)
9:00 am to noon DEBRIEF GENERAL SYNOD 26
Preparation
Bring your journal and questions. Pick the high point for you. Be prepared to share. What surprised you? What troubled you? Write one page of comment and reflection to pass out to everyone. (typewritten or legible handwriting ok)
Institute session
Worship in the Hartford Seminary Chapel (shared leadership)
Share insights, questions, concerns, learnings.
3:30 pm to 6:30 pm ECCLESIOLOGY, MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP
Preparation
*Read “UCC Ecclesiology” and “Missio Dei” LTH VII:138 and 139
*Read Walker, Evolution Chap. 5 “Covenant Community” pps.129-173
Review the UCC Constitution and Bylaws read earlier
Read UCC Manual on Ministry http://www.ucc.org/ministers/manual-on-ministry/
(online or print on reserve)
Read GS 25 Pronouncement “Ministry Issues: Forming and Preparing Pastoral Leaders for God’s Church” http://www.ucc.org/ministers/pdfs/mip.pdf
Read materials in the Leaders Box http://www.ucc.org/ministers/leaders-box/
*Read LTH VII Part 3 Intro. (skim documents)
Institute session
Discussion of the nature of the church, authorized ministry in the UCC, Ministerial Ethics, Boundary issues, laity, authority and UCC restructuring issues. Use the Study Guide to UCC ecclesiology
Thursday, June 28, 2007
9:00 am to noon MISSION AND ACTIVISM
Preparation
*Read the Intro and skim documents in LTH VII:Parts 2, 5 and 7
Note especially Pronouncements on becoming a MultiRacial/Multicultural Church and being Open and Affirming. Come prepared to share one area of UCC mission or activism that makes you proud. It can be global, national or local. Why is it important to you?
Visit the Common Global Ministries website.
Institute session
Worship in the Hartford Seminary Chapel (shared leadership)
Discussion of UCC mission, outreach and activism.
Walk through the Desk Plan and Calendar Book and other resources.
Reflection on “What are our core values?”
3:30 pm to 6:30 pm EVANGELISM AND ECUMENICAL/INTERFAITH WORK
Preparation
*Read LTH vol VII Part 8 pps. 541-555 (skim documents)
Look at Evangelism and Stewardship resources at http://ucc.org
Look at “Congregational Vitality” and “God is Still Speaking” websites
http://www.uccvitality.org and http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/
Read Thomas, John “Contemporary Commitment and Catholic Substance” (on reserve or website)
Institute session
Review UCC involvement in NCC, WCC, COCU, CUIC, CCT
Explain the UCC relationship to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Discuss other relationships and partnerships (e.g. Formula of Agreement)
Friday, June 29, 2007
9:00 am to noon WORSHIP AND NURTURE
Preparation
Review the Introduction to the UCC Book of Worship http://www.ucc.org/worship/liturgies/
*Read the “Theological Guidelines for the UCC Book of Worship” LTH VII:34
*Read documents on “Inclusive Language” LTH VII:31, 36 & 73
Read Gunnemann’s articles on Baptism and Eucharist (on reserve or website)
Institute session
Discussion worship and faith development/formation in the UCC
Discuss the Inclusive Language Covenant
Walk through the UCC Book of Worship and the New Century Hymnal together
Closing worship/communion service in the Hartford Seminary Chapel
