Three New Online Courses for Deacons

It can be challenging to find ministry formation courses that have been designed specifically for deacons and those discerning a possible call to diaconal ministry. Thankfully three excellent online courses are being offered in the 2020 - 2021 academic year. 

The Venerable Kyn Barker (Deacon), Coordinator of Deacons for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, is teaching an online course this fall entitled: "Practice of Diaconal Ministry" through Trinity College and the Toronto School of Theology. Previously Kyn taught this course as an in-person class. This course is already underway, however, if you would like to find out more about the course for future reference, Kyn would welcome you to e-mail him directly at barkerk@rogers.com Kyn is secretary on the board of directors of Anglican Deacons Canada. 

There is still time to sign up for a new online course entitled: "Ministering by Word and Example" which the Centre for Christian Studies(CCS) is offering this fall (Oct. 31-Dec. 7) with a focus on the Anglican diaconate. 

Founded through the merger of Anglican Church of Canada and United Church training schools in 1969, the Centre for Christian Studies specializes in the formation of diaconal ministers and deacons and is particularly well known and respected in the United Church of Canada. In recent years CCS has been seeking ways to better serve those exploring a calling to the diaconate in the Anglican Church through their course offerings. Maylanne Maybee, one of Canada's longest serving Anglican Deacons, was Principal of CCS from 2011 to 2017.

Finally, resolve now to deepen your formation and practice as a deacon or person exploring a possible call to ordination as a deacon in 2021. The Vancouver School of Theology is offering a course in diaconal ministry (DS502) in its inter-term session in January. This is a course that the Diocese of New Westminster developed jointly with VST as part of the Diploma in Anglican Diaconal Studies program. The course is being taught by The Rev. Sharon Salomons, formerly Director of Diaconal Formation for the Diocese of New Westsminister.  It is a 2 credit course. Contact VST registrar, Anita Fast at afast@vst.edu to register or for more information.