May 2024 Course Descriptions

Anglican Spirituality
This course will explore theological and historical sources for and practices within Anglican Spirituality and Ascetical Theology, drawing upon primary and secondary texts from the tradition. We will especially explore the Book of Common Prayer as a pattern for a personal and communal life of discipleship, integrating the liturgy, prayer and theological reflection; the practice of mental prayer; the daily office; lectio divina; and crafting a rule of life. The importance of spiritual direction and its role in the life of prayer will also be considered.
Students who complete this course will be able to:
  • Articulate the importance of prayer and spiritual practice in Christian discipleship and the practice of ministry.
  • Explain the role of the Book of Common Prayer in Anglican Spirituality.
  • Identify, describe and analyze a spiritual practice from the Anglican Tradition.
  • Craft a personal practice of prayer through a seasonal Rule of Life.
  • Discuss traditional formulations of prayer and the spiritual life, drawing upon Ascetical Theology.
  • Connect personal and communal practices of prayer with the liturgical year.
Required Texts
  • The Book of Common Prayer, The Episcopal Church, 1979.
  • Farra, Harry.  The Little Monk. Paulist Press, 1994.
  • Guenther, Margaret. The Practice of Prayer. Cambridge: Cowley, 1998.
  •  Harton, F.P.  The Elements of the Spiritual Life: A Study in Ascetical Theology. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2004.
  • Mitchell, Leonel L. Mitchell (Ruth A. Meyers). Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on The Book of Common Prayer. New York: Seabury, 1994
Your Instructor
  • The Rev. Dr. Susan Forshey  is the Associate Professor of Discipleship and Christian Formation, and Director of the MA in Ministry at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, joining the faculty in 2014; and a priest, serving as Associate Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Dubuque, since 2021. Mother Susan is a member of the Society of Catholic Priests (SCP). Drawn by a love of monastic history and contemplative prayer, she received a Master of Divinity at St John’s University, Collegeville, a Benedictine abbey, and a PhD in Theological Studies, focusing on Spirituality, from Boston University. A spiritual director and retreat leader, Mother Susan often teaches on the impact of social media technology on the life of prayer, brain science and spiritual practice, liturgical  catechesis, Celtic spirituality, and the contemplative dimensions of education. Her wise cat, Minerva, daily reminds her to get off the smartphone and enjoy the beauty of non-screen life.

Diversity, Justice and the Church's Mission
This course provides an introductory survey of systemic racism in America—its European and colonial  foundations, as well as its costs. We will also look at the position of the Episcopal Church in that history, and explore how systemic oppression plays a role in perpetuating barriers to true diversity and racial reconciliation.  Students will explore how  we can help congregations move along the continuum from “exclusive” to “transformed” spaces. In their final assignment students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the resource materials, gain comprehension of key concepts, and to develop a personal plan for engaging in the work of transforming racist systems. (This workshop satisfies the canonical anti-racism requirements for clergy and lay leaders.)

Required Texts
  • Thurman, Howard. Jesus and the Disinherited. Beacon Press, 1996.
  • "Seeing White", Episodes 1-14 (from Scene on Radio podcast with John Biewen).
  • Jones, Robert P. White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremecy in American Christianity.  Simon & Schuster, 2021. 
  • Spellars, Stephanie. The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline and New Hope.  Church Publishing, 2021.
Your Instructor
  • Ms. Cheryl Cementina  holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of California (Santa Barbara), a Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Missouri (Kansas City) and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Missouri. Before a move to the East Coast in 2021, Ms. Cementina served as the Adult Christian Formation Coordinator at St. Andrews, Kansas City, Missouri and on the Diversity and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Christian Formation for the Diocese of West Missouri.

Doctrines of the Third Person
This course will explore classical doctrines of the Third Person, including the Holy Spirit, the Church, and Eschatology.
Required Texts
  • Coming soon
Your Instructor
  • The Very Rev. Dr. Don H. Compier (Ph.D. in theology, Emory University) is retired as  Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Previously, Compier taught Master’s and Ph.D. courses in theology, philosophy, and modern church history at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He has also offered classes at Saint Paul School of Theology and Eden Theological Seminary. He led the graduate program in religion at Graceland University from 2002 until 2014, developing an innovative online curriculum and travelling all over the world. He is currently conducting research on the history of the Daily Office. He is a guide and teacher at the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, MO.



New Testament
The  course is a study of the Gospels, Epistles, and other writings of the New Testament that gives consideration to their historical, literary, and theological dimensions. After taking this course, students will have gained a general understanding of the major stories and theological ideas of the New Testament, a basic familiarity with the variety of methods scholars use to interpret the New Testament, a basic sense of the origins and historical development of the New Testament, and an appreciation for variation and similarity within interpretations of the New Testament.

Required Texts
  • Conway, Colleen. The New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2022. ISBN: 978-1119685920
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Arminta Fox is Assistant Professor of Religion at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. She earned her PhD in Biblical Studies from Drew University Theological School in Madison, New Jersey in 2015. A New Testament scholar, Dr. Fox’s primary areas of research include the complex development of identity in biblical texts and early Christian history, feminist biblical scholarship, contextual hermeneutics, and material culture. Her first book, Paul Decentered: Reading 2 Corinthians with the Corinthian Women, was published by Lexington/Fortress Academic in December 2019. This work analyzes Paul's rhetoric to  argue that women played an important role in the development of the Christ community in Corinth. 
BKSM welcomes you to take courses with us for personal enrichment or continuing education. Classes are richer with occasional students around the table.  We encourage you to experience this remarkable, uplifting community of learning, worship and fellowship for yourself!

May Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, April 15.  You will receive an email and syllabus directly from your instructor. If you have  not received anything from your instructor by Tuesday, please contact us.
  • The in-person Focus Weekend meets  May 11-12, on Saturday from 7:30 am-9:00 pm and on Sunday from 7:30am-12:15pm.
  • The detailed weekend schedule is here.
  • Classes end on Friday, June 7.
  • Grades due June 30.

Tuition & Scholarships
  • Tuition is $100 to audit a class in person or online, $240 to take a class for credit in person, which includes  overnight accommodations at Upton Hall &  meals, $165 to take a class for credit on Zoom.
  • Apply for the $100 Jim Upton lay scholarship. Scholarships also available for students on an ordination track.
  • Many hotels are available throughout Topeka. Most are 15 minutes away or less.
Register for May Courses