Fall Term 2026 (September 21 –November 30, 2026)

First half - Sep 21-Oct 26  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course A:  Canon Law or Ecclesiastical Law of the Roman Catholic Church   [ZOOM]
For the Church to function as an institution and as a community, it must follow certain laws. Foundations of Church law reflect its understanding of Sacred Scriptures including Theology of Vatican II which are depicted in the current Code of Canon Law. This reflects the role that Canon Law plays in the Church and its community.

Rev. Dr. Vincent Pereira is a priest of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. He obtained BA Honors in Communications from Ottawa U, Diploma in Individual Counseling and Masters and Licentiate in Canon Law from St. Paul U. Diploma in Jurisprudence and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Gregorian University, Rome. More than 3 decades ministering in Marriage Tribunal and currently Judicial Vicar of the same, 4 years in Canadian Appeal Tribunal as Defender of the Bond and Judge; he has published many canonical articles in Canonical Journals. Rev. Pereira is currently Pastor of St. Theresa of the Little Flower Church in Ottawa. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course B:  The Justice Question in the Abrahamic Religions   [IN-PERSON]
This course traces how Abrahamic religious traditions conceptualized justice and how these ideas shaped and interacted with intellectual thought, legal systems, and administrative practices across diverse societies and historical periods. In our global society there is a lack of consensus about the meaning and implementation of justice. We will explore the question: Does the religious-secular dichotomy continue to remain useful for understanding justice in our interconnected world today?

Jóhanna Taherzadeh Jochumsdóttir is an historian who has lived and taught at universities and in community education in South Africa, Israel, Ireland, the United States and England. Originally from Iceland, she lives in Old Ottawa South with her family. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course C:  The Biblical Path of the Everyday Mystic   [ZOOM]
For many of us the world feels less meaning-full, less wonder-full than it would have for our ancestors. In this course we will explore a pathway to experiencing the world once again as full of God’s presence. This is an everyday kind of mysticism, deeply biblical and deeply experiential.

Anthony Siegrist has worked as a professor of theology, pastor, and wilderness guide. He holds a doctorate in theology from Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Anthony strives to teach in a way that elevates both practice and big ideas. With his family and coonhound name Rhubarb, Anthony enjoys exploring natural places throughout the Great Lakes region. Anthony currently serves as the Executive Minister for Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

Second half - Nov 2-30  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course D:  The Bible Says … So What?   [ZOOM]
Are believers obligated to accept every word of Scripture as literal truth to be obeyed without question? Has anyone ever done that? We will explore how people of faith have sought meaning in Scripture through the ages, concluding with guidelines for faithful and ethical interpretation for today’s believers.

The Rev. Dr. Ritva H Williams was born in Finland, grew up and was educated here in Ottawa. She pursued her calling as a professor and pastor serving in the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Ritva authored two books and numerous articles about early Christian life and literature. Now retired, she lives here in Ottawa with her spouse. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course E:  Recognizing Sacred Presence in Daily Life   [IN-PERSON]
Students looking to broaden perspectives on spirituality and deepen awareness of God, will explore different viewpoints of the Trinity while discussing imagery within contemplative prayer. By practicing methods of hearing and responding to Sacred Presence, participants will have opportunity to enrich their spiritual journeys. This course is framed by equal parts teaching, class discussion, and contemplative practice.

Glen Stoudt has a Doctor of Ministry degree (McCormick Theological Seminary, 1996), and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction (Moravian Theological Seminary, 2018). Glen retired from 40 years of congregational ministry, serving Moravian churches in the USA and Canada and United Church congregations in Ottawa, at Trinity and Orleans. He also served as a full-time professor at Moravian Seminary (2004-2010) and a periodic instructor with the Ottawa School of Theology and Spirituality since the late 1990’s. In his retirement he is the Spiritual Director at Orleans UC (2017-present) and in 2025 was appointed Dean of OSTS. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course F:  Small Church Theology   [ZOOM]
Most Canadian churches are small. Some have already closed, and many others are not likely to grow in the coming years, which can feel discouraging. Even so, this course explores how small churches can be a gift to the wider Church, teaching us important theological lessons that we can’t easily learn elsewhere.

Mykayla Turner holds a Master of Sacred Music and a Master of Theological Studies. She is a PhD student in the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, ON, where she conducts qualitative research on how rural churches are responding to Canada’s changing religious landscape. She is also an active church musician and liturgist, currently serving as Director of Music for Saint Paul University’s Anglican Studies program. She directs Ontario Mennonite Music Camp and chairs the team of volunteers who maintain Together in Worship, a curated collection of free worship resources from Anabaptist sources. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

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Winter Term 2027 (January 4 – March 15, 2027)

First half - Jan 4-Feb 1  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course G:  Introduction to the Gospel of John   [ZOOM]
An introductory course to the study of the Gospel of John – its structure, cultural setting, and major theological themes.It will include exegesis of selected passages in the Gospel of John; with special attention given to the meaning of ‘light’, ‘life’, and ‘signs'.

Dr. Jason Lamantia was born in Montreal. He attended the University of Ottawa where he obtained degrees in History and English Literature; and Saint Paul University where he obtained a doctorate in Theology, specializing in Patristics, Church History, and Eastern Orthodox Theology. He is currently a part-time professor in the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course H:  Wholeness and Holiness — The Ethics of Biblical Purity   [ZOOM]
Drawing on studies in cultural anthropology this course explores biblical purity rules as a manifestation of the human impulse to order our world. What can we learn from these strange, and seemingly irrelevant practices? How might they help us honour the holy in ourselves, our neighbours, and the creatures with whom we share this world?

The Rev. Dr. Ritva H Williams was born in Finland, grew up and was educated here in Ottawa. She pursued her calling as a professor and pastor serving in the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Ritva authored two books and numerous articles about early Christian life and literature. Now retired, she lives here in Ottawa with her spouse. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course I:  Ecclesiastes and Lamentations: A Personal and National Perspective   [ZOOM]
We will examine two books from the Hebrew Canon, Tanakh. Ecclesiastes is a personal reflection on life, while Lamentations is a reflection on national tragedy and the role of the individual within that context. We will use the biblical texts and ancient and modern commentaries to unpack the essential messages of both.

Rabbi Steven Garten is Rabbi Emeritus at Temple Israel in Ottawa, where he served as Senior Rabbi for 19 years. He is also active in Ottawa’s interfaith dialogues and has lectured on several occasions at OSTS. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Second half - Feb 8-Mar 15  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course J:  Dreams and Dreaming in the Bible and in Our Lives Today   [ZOOM]
What dreams do we have when we’re asleep? What dreams or cherished aspirations do we have when we’re awake? This course will explore dreams and dreaming in the Bible, with reference to contemporary dream research and a view to what we can learn for our own dreaming today.

Reverend April Yamasaki served for 25 years as the lead pastor of a growing congregation, then felt called to focus on her writing ministry. She now serves as resident author with a liturgical worship community, editor of Rejoice! daily devotional magazine, a spiritual formation mentor with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and often speaks in churches and other contexts. Her books include Sacred Pauses, Four Gifts, and Hope Beyond Our Sorrows. In these and other ways, she is living out her childhood dream of becoming a writer. At the same time, with the sudden death of her husband and in other circumstances of life, she is well acquainted with delayed, disappointing, and broken dreams. To learn more, please see AprilYamasaki.com. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course K:  Postcolonial Theology and its Impact on Churches Today   [ZOOM]
Are churches changing? This course provides an overview of the emerging field of postcolonial theology, its core concepts, and their implications for the Church, the Christian faith, and major areas of theological thought. Together, we will engage questions of voice, power, and presence in Christian theology. You will learn about post colonial theology and its impact on church worship with a lens to North America, Asia and the Global South.

Born and raised in Corner Brook, NL, Rev. Dingwell holds a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance & Pedagogy) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Master of Divinity from Emmanuel College, University of Toronto. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate at Emmanuel College in the area of eucharistic theology, where his research examines the value of frequent eucharistic celebration within mainline Protestantism, in particular within the Reformed and Methodist traditions. His research interests also include hymnody, ecumenism, sacramentality, intersectionality, postcolonial theology, and radically inclusive orthodoxy. Rev. Dingwell has been the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships for his preaching and liturgical abilities, and is frequently in demand as a guest preacher and liturgist throughout eastern Canada. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course L:  The Bible and the Marginalized   [ZOOM]
One of the dominant features of the Bible is its concern for the marginalized, those who for various reasons reside on the fringes of society and suffer the consequences of their social, economic, political, and religious marginalization. In this course we will explore together what the Bible teaches about the character of God and how the people of God reflect that divine character in their responses to those who are marginalized.

Dr. Donald Burke is Professor of Biblical Studies at Booth University College in Winnipeg. His interpretations of Scripture explore the intersection of the Bible and life together in community, both in the biblical period and in contemporary society. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)