Worship Foundations

Worship beats as the heart of every Christian community. This course will explore worship as a ‘practice’ of Christian discipleship, looking primarily at elements of various worship traditions and styles. We will also examine ecumenical implications for worship and look at some of the current issues in liturgy and music which churches face and consider questions of hospitality in worship with different ages, cultures and theological convictions.

About the instructors:

Dr. MacAlpine-Gillis earned an MDiv (Atlantic School of Theology) and a DMin (Bangor Theological Seminary). She served both rural and suburban churches during 31 years of full-time ministry, including 26 with a congregation that she led through a successful amalgamation and a building and renovation project. Trained in the ministry of supervision and a long time Field Educator, she teaches both campus based and distance field education. She is on the Steering Committee of the Association of Theological Field Educators and her research has focused on issues of supervision and training for supervisors. As an avid traveler, Dr. MacAlpine-Gillis believes in the integration of travel and Biblical studies as a way of bringing the stories of scripture to life through walking the land where they unfolded.

Rev. J. Ivan Gregan (BA, MDiv) is the minister at Port Wallis United Church in Dartmouth, NS. A linguist at heart, he converses in many languages but especially English, French and Gaelic. His special interests revolve around Celtic Theology, History and Biblical Interpretation with a keen interest in translation and composition of the Celtic Liturgical Texts and religious poetry. Ivan has studied at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax and furthered his studies in Jerusalem and Princeton. His travels have taken him to Scotland, continental Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and across Canada. He has served as President of Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada and Chair of Halifax Presbytery. Nationally, he has served on the United Church – Muslim Relations, Chair of the Gospel Ecumenism and Theology Committee of Maritime Conference, the Board of Directors for the United Church “Observer” (national magazine), and presently is on the Board of Directors for “Gathering Magazine” a national worship publication.

Dates: Weekdays from July 1, 2024 - July 12, 2024.

Times: 9:15am-12:15pm.

Requirements: Readings and discussions. No written work, projects, or presentations.

Books to purchase:

Fee: $250.00.

Format: In-person at Atlantic School of Theology.

Please note: This Continuing Education program is non-credit, meaning it cannot be counted toward a degree or diploma, and will not be transcripted. Continuing Education registrations are refundable until 48 hours before a program commences, minus the Eventbrite processing fee. After that time, fees are non-refundable.

Questions? Please contact: James Cheatley, Continuing Education Convenor,([email protected]) or the instructor, Rev. Dr. Susan MacAlpine-Gillis ([email protected])

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Atlantic School of Theology, 660 Francklyn Street, Halifax, Canada