|
FAQs SAN JOAQUIN SCHOOLS FOR MINISTRY
Books How do I determine which texts to purchase? Diaconal Studies text requirements can be found in the Student Handbook on the Diaconal Studies Program page. All students receive a class syllabus from 5-6 weeks prior to a scheduled class or course. Each adjunct will assign appropriate texts for the course.Prior to requiring a specific text, generally adjuncts will check the publish date and/or availability before assigning the text for a course. Where can I order text books for the courses? Texts are generally available on the internet at various book web sites, e.g. Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, abebooks.com, and others. A few of the texts are sold at the MBBS bookstore. How much should I expect to pay for text books for the Anglican Studies courses? Generally, adjuncts require 2-3 texts per semester. Usually these texts are available used at amazon.com. Some texts are available for checkout at the Student Library at diocesan house. You may even be able to borrow a text from a prior student or your rector/vicar. The texts can run from $10 to $50 or more per book. Adjuncts are sensitive to the costs of texts. Rarely will you be required to obtain a text that costs more than the amounts quoted. You will probably want the required texts for your personal library. Text requirements at MBBS for other courses in the M.Div. template can be purchased at the bookstore on the MBBS/Fresno Pacific University campus. You can check with the bookstore as to the costs of texts for courses not in the Anglican Studies Program. What are the seven canonically required subjects of study for the priesthood? http://www.sjoaquin.net/canonical_exams.htm What are the guidelines for canonical examinations for the priesthood? Canonical written examinations for Masters of Divinity students are generally held between Christmas and New Year’s Days. Students take written canonicals at the Diocesan campus. Morning Prayer is offered daily beginning at 7:45 AM. Students are asked to arrive on the campus at 8:30 AM, the first day of exams. Exams start promptly at 9:00 AM. A proctor will guide you through the process. Oral examinations are scheduled after January 1, at ECCO. Typically, your written questions allow for two to three hours of writing. The examination on Constitution and Canons generally is only one hour. The schedule will list the area of examination, the time of day, and the number of hours allowed to answer the questions. Time frames are strictly adhered to. You may NOT bring in your own computer for the examinations. A computer will be made available for you at the diocesan offices. If you have a particular word-processing program that you prefer to use, please let the proctor know when he/she contacts you. You will be provided with a floppy disk on which to record your responses to the questions. Generally speaking, written canonicals last three days, in full-day sessions. You are given a one hour lunch break unless we are running late, and you may be requested to take only a one-half hour lunch. You must be able to type your answers. As long as you can use a keyboard, you can use a computer. You will be provided with a guide to assist you in saving your work and some other minor nuances of the computer with which you may not be familiar. If you are not familiar with a keyboard please notify the Chairman of the Board of Examining Chaplains. A typical question on the written canonicals might be something like: Holy Scripture - Looking at the Exodus/Sinai event. Specifically, the final plague in Egypt, this being the context for the institution of the Passover– compare the Passover to the Eucharist. Cite specific Biblical material, both Old and New Testament. You may be given the option of answering question/questions of your choice, or you may only have one question in a specific area to use up the entire three hours. Generally speaking, the first day will be two three-hour sessions. The remainder may have three two-hour sessions, or a combination of both. What are the canonically required subjects of study for the diaconate? From Canon III.6.5 (f)
Before ordination each
Candidate shall be prepared in and demonstrate basic competence
in five general areas: What are the guidelines for canonical examinations for the diaconate? Final examination prior to ordination for Vocational Deacons consists of oral questions only. Papers that you have been required to submit in your classes are reviewed by the Board of Examining Chaplains. You will be expected to have a passing grade in each course. Your papers from the courses are the written portion of your examination. The level of knowledge for passing the final examination for Vocational Deacons is not expected to be as great as the level of knowledge expected of a student in the Masters of Divinity degree program for ordained priesthood. You must have completed all course work prior to applying for the examination. A sample question that might be asked of any candidate for Vocational Deacon could be: The Church in England during the reign of Henry VIII became the Church of England. The formation of spirituality unique to Anglicanism did not develop simply by breaking from Roman Catholicism. Describe the Elizabethan Settlement which brought about the Church as we know it today. (Sample oral exam question for Vocational Deacon) Where do classes meet and when? Anglican Studies courses are held on the MBBS campus at Chestnut and Butler Avenues in Fresno. Class begins Friday evening at 6:00 PM, concluding around 9:30-10:00 PM. The class begins again at 8:30 AM on Saturday, with one half hour for lunch, reconvening until about 6:00 PM. You will need to plan to spend Friday night in Fresno. Diaconal Studies courses are held on the Cathedral campus, unless notified otherwise. Diaconal Studies courses are held on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, unless notified otherwise. How do I obtain a syllabus for the course each semester? Syllabi are sent out via e-mail from 4-6 weeks before the first scheduled class? Syllabi for the Anglican Studies courses are also available on this website. See “Courses.” How will I be notified of classes, instructors, text requirements, times, and dates? Information will be sent to you via the internet, and e-mail. Please make certain the Registrar has your e-mail address initially, and if you make a change. The Student Handbook contains additional information such as a three-year schedule of courses. If it becomes necessary to make any changes, you will receive notification via the internet as well as an updated calendar, or other changes. Once you have attended the Discernment Retreat and been given permission to move forward, a Student Handbook will be snail-mailed to you. The Student Handbook provides information, driving directions, motel guides, the schedule of courses, a “Who’s Who” of folks to assist you, and more. What should I do if I need to miss a class? If you know you are going to miss a class please notify the instructor/adjunct and get permission. San Joaquin Schools for Ministry and MBBS discourage missing classes, particularly in extensive weekend courses. If you must miss a class, please contact the instructor to make up any work that needs to be made up, contact a peer to see if he/she will share class notes, and plan to mail your work for the class to the adjunct professor. What is Homiletics and where is the class held? Homiletics is a required course for Diaconal Studies students. You will learn how to present a Homily. You receive a grade, and there is a one-time cost of $20. Once you have passed the course, your local parish rector/vicar must write a letter to Bishop Schofield requesting that you be licensed to preach. If your rector/vicar does not request the license you may not preach. Students in their second or third year may take the Homiletics course. Who may attend Diaconal Studies courses? Anyone interested in these courses are encouraged to attend any classes for Deacons set up by the Diocese (See Schedule of classes). These classes may be used as continuing education units for the clergy, and as Christian formation courses for the laity. Please let Kelsey Stewart know (559)226-8304) so that chairs and materials can be provided for you and, so any texts that are required will be communicated to you, and you will have received the information, along with any pre-course assignments How are diaconal studies students graded? Diaconal studies students (by audit) is generally graded as “pass/fail” unless they request a letter grade. Diaconal studies students are expected to receive a passing grade for those courses in the Anglican Studies Program. Attendance is maintained and all paperwork that is assigned is expected to be turned in at the time requested by the instructor. Attendance in all classes assigned is mandatory. Local instructors for courses set up for diaconal studies also take attendance and assign a grade. What is the Deacons’ Retreat? The deacons’ retreat is an annual retreat provided by the bishop to give deacons and diaconal students opportunity for concentrated worship, fellowship and continuing education. Diaconal students are expected to attend the annual Deacon’s Retreat held at ECCO. Usually, a component of the diaconal studies formation is presented at each retreat The Rev. Ken Richards is in charge of the retreat. Are there any additional program requirements? All persons in the Diaconal Studies courses must have completed a course in Sociology or Psychology to fulfill the canonical requirement for human awareness and relations. Who is responsible for diaconal formation? While you are attending San Joaquin Schools for Ministry, studying for the Vocational Diaconate, you are under the direct authority of Bishop Schofield and your rector/vicar. If your rector/vicar or Bishop Schofield believes you would benefit from experiencing a different setting, you may be assigned to a different parish within your area. You will be required to meet with the Commission on Ministry, and possibly the Standing Committee, at any time either one or both of these Commission/Committee wishes, and as allowed by the Canons of the Church. Your rector/vicar will be given the opportunity to evaluate your spiritual, practical, and academic growth near the end of your participation in the process/program. It is your rector/vicar who has the discretion of sharing the responses to the questions with you. You will be under the supervision of the individual the Bishop appoints as your supervisor/mentor. This individual may or may not be your rector/vicar. This person will be evaluating you as you proceed in the process. You will be required to perform in various capacities as assigned by your supervisor/mentor. Also, see “Supervised Ministry Experience” in the handbook. The sheet will list all areas of church worship in which you must participate. If you don’t know, don’t assume. Please ask. How do I receive Spiritual direction? The school has a Spiritual Director should you feel the need for counseling or talk about spiritual discipline or a “rule of life” for deacons. The Rev. Ken Richards is the Spiritual Director and the information for contacting him can be found inside the front cover of the Student Handbook. How do I find out about the academic program? Please contact the Registrar/Program Coordinator, Ms. Kelsey Stewart at kelseykay[at]aol[dot]com, or (559)226-8304 or (559)977-7369. Information may also be obtained on the diocesan web site at www.sjoaquin.net. How much should I expect to participate in the school community? Your participation in the “school community,” your interaction with other students and with the instructors/adjuncts is monitored to ensure your growth socially, academically and spiritually. What is the difference between “vocational” and “transitional” deacons? Vocational deacons (or “permanent” deacons) are those who have discerned the unique call to serve lifelong as deacons. Transitional deacons are those who have answered the call to become priests and are ordained as deacons in transition to the priesthood. When may I start wearing a collar? No person shall wear the vestments or collar of a Deacon or Priest until one has been ordained. As a Master of Divinity student, are there other requirements besides course work in the academic program? (1) MBBS provides a course in Supervised Ministry (SME) which will provide the opportunity to integrate your field placement with MBBS coursework. You will be assigned a supervisor/mentor by the Bishop for your fieldwork. This individual may or may not be your rector/vicar. This person will be evaluating you as you proceed in the process. You will be required to perform in various capacities as assigned by your supervisor/mentor. Also, see “Supervised Ministry Experience” in the SJSM handbook. The sheet will list all areas of church worship in which you must participate. (2) In addition, you are required to complete either a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, or a Mission experience. One of these programs must be approved well in advance. Please contact the Dean/Vocations Officer to get information and requirements. This is not a degree requirement by the seminary but a formation requirement for those who are working toward ordination to the priesthood. (3) While not a degree requirement, MDiv students who will be taking canonical examinations, are STRONGLY URGED to take the following SJSM courses (or their equivalent): Ethics and Moral Theology, Church & Contemporary Society. NOTE: See “Other Requirements”, below. How do I find out about the process toward ordination? Please contact the Vocations Officer, The Rev. Van McCalister at van[at]sjoaquin[dot]net or (559) 244-4828. Information may also be found here: http://www.sjoaquin.net/vocations.htm How do I begin the process toward ordination? First, speak with your rector/vicar, and then if advised, get in touch with Fr. Van McCalister, Vocations Officer for the diocese. NOTE: Being enrolled in SJSM/MBBS DOES NOT mean that you have been admitted into the process for ordination. The admission process for SJSM/MBBS is completely separate from the admission process for ordination. What is my responsibility concerning the process toward ordination and the completion of academic requirements? As a Postulant or Candidate for Holy Orders, you are responsible for your communication with the Bishop, instructors, adjuncts, Vocations Officer, and Registrar at MBBS or SJSM. Your initiative in staying in contact with these individuals will be greatly appreciated. What is Title IV training? Title IV training refers to the disciplinary canons of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. In the Diocese of San Joaquin, candidates are required to complete a workbook course on Constitutions and Canons that covers the entire canons and not just Title IV. The workbook can be completed at home at your leisure and returned to the registrar for grading. Once the workbook has been completed and reported as “passed” by the registrar, Title IV training is considered to be complete. What is Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training? Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training (SMPT) is a three hour course given to provide conduct guidelines and methods of protecting our youth from sexual predators. Everyone who works in youth ministry is required to take the course. All clergy are required to take the course. All candidates for Holy Orders are required to take the course. The course must be completed and the student certified every five years. SJSM uses the “Safeguarding God’s Children” program from the Church Pension Group. Reporting requirements are also covered during this course.. What is the Anti-Racism Forum? The anti-racism forum is an informal course on racism where students watch interviews of Episcopalians from various backgrounds discussing situations where they have experienced racism particularly within the Church. During the forum issues brought up from these interviews are reviewed and discussed. The biblical perspective on racism is also discussed. Candidates for Holy Orders must take a similar course or participate in an Anti-racism forum. The forum is often offered in conjunction with the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training. SJSM uses “Seeing the Face of God in Each Other” for the anti-racism forum. Do I really have to have a background check? All postulants must have a background check completed prior to being made a candidate for Holy Orders. The postulant’s background check must be completed, reviewed and approved by the bishop prior to the interview with the Commission on Ministry for candidacy. The Vocations Officer will initiate the background check after an aspirant is made a postulant. The background check may take several weeks to process, so it is important to make sure that it is expedited well in advance of the application for candidacy. Check with the Vocations Officer, if you are not certain that the background check has been completed. What are Ember Days? Embertide occurs four times each year, (see the Book of Common Prayer, page 18). Ember Days are set aside for fasting and prayer (BCP pages 205 & 256). Bishop Schofield observes these days to read Ember Day letters and pray for the Postulants and Candidates under his cure. Each Postulant or Candidate for Holy-Orders shall communicate with the Bishop personally or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, reflecting on the individual’s academic experience and personal and spiritual and development. (Refer to: Constitution and Canons, Title III, Canon 6.3f & 8.2d) It is advisable to send your Ember letter to Bishop Schofield at least two weeks prior to each Ember Week to ensure that there is sufficient time for him to receive and read the letter in advance. I have participated in a theological training program somewhere else, are my units transferrable? The registrar and academic advisor at MBBS will advise you on which credits may be transferred into your specific degree program at MBBS. However, if you already have a theological degree, contact the Dean/Vocations Officer to see how that fits into your formation process. How should I handle problems, concerns, etc? Problems or concerns with instructors, adjuncts, grades and other academic concerns, or anything to do with San Joaquin Schools for Ministry academically should be directed to the Program Director/Registrar or the Dean. They will answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate person. With the exception of misconduct, it is not appropriate to take problems directly to the Bishop before attempting to resolve them with the Registrar/Program Director or the Dean. Questions concerning your fulfillment of spiritual growth and canonical requirements should be directed to the Vocations Officer, Fr. Van McCallister. You are required to notify the Vocations Officer when you have reached mid-way in your studies so that a “middler evaluation” interview can set up. How do I enroll in the Diaconal studies courses? For Anglican studies courses, please fill out the San Joaquin Schools for Ministry enrollment form (you need only to fill out this form when beginning the courses). Also, each semester you need to fill out and send to MBBS the Non-degree Student Registration form and e-mail or snail mail it to MBBS. Both of these forms are available online at www.sjoaquin.net here: http://www.sjoaquin.net/registration.htm How do I register for courses for credit? Please fill out the registration for San Joaquin Schools for Ministry, send one copy to the Registrar of SJSM. Every semester you are required to fill out the MBBS Student Registration and send it to the Registrar at MBBS. The forms for registration can be obtained on the diocesan web site at sjoaquin.net. You will be able to download the form, fill it out, and e-mail it to SJSM and MBBS. The form is found here: http://www.sjoaquin.net/registration.htm How do I enroll in the Diaconal Studies Program and the Anglican Studies Program? As a Diaconal Studies student, you may take the Anglican Studies courses at MBBS for audit at one half the tuition price per unit, or for credit at full tuition per unit. The first time you enroll, you are required to fill out the San Joaquin Schools for Ministry registration form. Each semester, including the first semester, you are required to fill out and send the Non-Degree Student Registration form for MBBS. (The forms may be found on the diocesan web site or the MBBS web site). How do I pay tuition fees? Fees for Anglican Studies courses at MBBS are due one month prior to class. M.Div. Students will pay a late fee assessed by MBBS for late payment. Diaconal Studies classes are free, with the exception of the Homiletics class. To whom will I make tuition payments? All tuition payments are mailed to MBBS. If you wish to make payment arrangements you must contact the Registrar at MBBS. Tuition is due and payable the first day of class each semester. If you require different arrangements please contact MBBS. How much is tuition? Generally, due to increased costs, tuition changes must be made by MBBS annually. For the latest information, please contact registrar[at]mbseminary[dot]edu, to obtain the latest tuition information. |
|||
|
|||
