May 2026 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

• Coming soon!
  

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

• The Rev. Mary-Margaret Saxon received her MDiv. from University of the South School of Theology at Sewanee. Prior to attending seminary, she served as a nurse missionary in Honduras. She has worked in non-profit organizations and served as a local parish
  priest in Florida and Colorado and is currently retired. A life-long activist in movements for the full inclusion of women, persons of color, and LGBTQ people, Rev. Saxon now serves on the Diversity and Reconciliation Commission of the Diocese of West Missouri.

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.
Required Texts

• Harper Collins Study Bible. New Revised Standard Version. 978-0-06-122840-7 or the Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version. 978-0190276089.
• The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to Early Christian Writings, seventh edition, by Bart D. Ehrman. 978-0190909000.
  • Be SURE to have the SEVENTH EDITION. An e-book version is acceptable.

Your Instructor

• Dr. Lynne Moss Bahr is dean of Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She specializes in the New Testament and early Christianity, with special interest in the use and development of cultural concepts in early Christian literature, such as messianism, time and temporality, and forgiveness. She holds a M.Div. degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity from Fordham University. Dr. Bahr is the author of “The Time Is Fulfilled”: Jesus’s Apocalypticism in the Context of Continental Philosophy (T & T Clark/Bloomsbury) and has contributed articles to Currents in Biblical Research and Ancient Jew Review, as well as the publications of the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements and the online academic resource the Jesus Library.

Register for May

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 13.  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/Zoom Focus Weekend meets  May 9-10, 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 12.
  
• 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