Fall Term 2025 (September 22 – December 1, 2025)

First half - Sep 22-Oct 27  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course A:  Reimagining Church   [ZOOM]
Are you frustrated by the decline of so many churches? This course breathes new life into terms like “Gospel,” “mission,” “church,” and “discipleship” and connects them in a fresh, exciting, and practical way. It will not always be comfortable— changes in old habits are challenging—but it will be rewarding.

John Bowen worked in university ministry for twenty years, and then was Professor of Evangelism at Wycliffe College in Toronto for a further twenty years. He is the author or editor of seven books, most recently The Unfolding Gospel: How the Good News Makes Sense of Discipleship, Church, Mission, and Everything Else (Fortress 2021). He lives in Hamilton, Ontario. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course B:  Exploring Paul the Apostle in Scripture and Ourselves   [ZOOM]
Paul the Apostle went from being a virulent persecutor of Christians to being persecuted for being a Christian himself. His far-reaching ministry continues to help us understand Jesus’s teachings. Guided by the book of Acts, we’ll follow Paul’s amazing journey and explore how his life may be reflected in ours.

Reverend Paul Whynacht is currently the Minister at Manotick United Church in Ottawa. He is relatively new to ministry and spent most of his life serving in the Canadian Armed Forces and government. Excited that God has led him to ordained service, he is now a patron of the Ottawa Multifaith Housing Initiative and is a volunteer faith and palliative care worker at Perley Health. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course C:  Becoming a Synodal Church    [IN-PERSON]
The Catholic Church has embarked on a journey of synodality which more actively promotes participation of all the faithful in decision-making and governance of the Church. This course will explore what it means to be a synodal Church, the theological background, the practical issues and the implications for Christianity and beyond.

Lynn Lavictoire has pursued an education in theology including a Bachelor, M.Div, and Master degrees at Saint Paul University. She is currently the chair for the Catholic Network for Women's Equality. Her passion is raising awareness for the marginalized and promoting positive change. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

Second half - Nov 3-Dec 1  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course D:  Unravelling the Mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls   [ZOOM]
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, hidden two millennia in caves on the shore of the Dead Sea, is one of the most important finds in modern archaeology. We shall discuss the Scrolls and who wrote them and why. We shall also discuss their impact on Judaism and Christianity.

Rabbi Lawrence Englander is Rabbi Emeritus of Solel Congregation of Mississauga, and Adjunct Rabbi at Temple Sinai. He has a Doctorate in Rabbinics and Jewish Mysticism and has taught at university undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as offering extensive courses in Adult Education. In 2005 he was awarded the Order of Canada for his work in the community. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course E:  Introduction to the Book of Revelation   [IN-PERSON]
This course is an introduction to the study of the Book of Revelation – its structure, cultural setting, and major theological themes. It will include exegesis of selected passages in Revelation; with special attention given to the definition and role of biblical prophecy as well as the difference between “apocalyptic” and “apocalypticism.”

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 Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course F:  Cultural Hermeneutics with Reformation Artists   [ZOOM]
Great painters are not simply masters of mediums, technique, and color, but are also keen observers of cultural, political, and religious contexts. This course explores works of four Reformation Era artists who painted during a period of dramatic cultural change, political unrest, and religious fervor and who can help us understand the world we live in centuries later.

Andy Brubacher-Kaethler is a Pastor at Ottawa Mennonite Church. He taught Christian Formation at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana for 20 years before returning to the pastorate in Ontario. In both pastoral ministry and teaching ministry Andy is fascinated by the interplay between faith and culture. (See Fall Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

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Winter Term 2026 (January 5 – March 16, 2026)

First half - Jan 5-Feb 2  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course G:  Ancient Wisdom   [ZOOM]
This course explores the diverse meanings of "wisdom” in the Old and New Testaments, Classical Greek philosophy, and other ancient literature. Living as we do in what some call an “unwise age,” this course draws on ancient texts to explore what wisdom means for us now.

Jane Dawson lectured with OSTS in the days she lived in Ottawa. She obtained her PhD in Philosophy from UBC and now teaches Humanities; Language, Arts and Culture at the University of Victoria, B.C. She lives on Vancouver Island where she enjoys the natural environment of mountains and the sea. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course H:  A Christian Response to Scientific Materialism   [ZOOM]
In popular consciousness and for the average churchgoer, science and theology, and more broadly, faith and reason, are perceived as being at odds with each other. This course will confront this misconception. It will equip Christians to respond to the challenges posed by scientific materialism and challenge non-believers’ preconceived notions.

Dr. Scott D. G. Ventureyra is an author, theologian, and philosopher. He completed his PhD in philosophical theology at Carleton University/Dominican University College in Ottawa. He has published in the domains of philosophical theology, systematic theology, natural theology, and the philosophy of religion. He has also done research in the areas of philosophy of mind and consciousness studies. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course I:  An introduction to Saivism   [ZOOM]
This introductory course delves into the rich and ancient tradition of Saivism, considered to be a denomination of Hinduism. Students will embark on a fascinating journey to explore the fundamental principles, beliefs, and practices of Saivism and a comparison with Christian faith and practice with special reference to forgiveness and salvation.

Rev. Rajan’s education and service is wide and varied. He has served as a pastor in several congregations with the Lutheran Church in India. He has a Masters Degree in Christian Studies at the University of Madras, and a PhD from Missiological Institute Dayspring University, Dallas. He also served as a trainer on “The Purpose Driven Church” by the Evangelical Churches in India. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Second half - Feb 9-Mar 16  (7:30-9:30 p.m.)

Course J:  Tender Hearts, Resilient Spirits: Hearing Women’s Voices from the Bible   [ZOOM]
How many women’s names can you list from the Bible? Of these, do you know their stories from their perspectives or the voice of the narrator? Who is really telling the stories of these influential women in the Bible and are they still important to our faith communities today?

Rev. Chung Yan Lam is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and currently serving All Saints’ Westboro Anglican Church in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. She is in the process of pursuing doctorate studies in biblical interpretation. She is passionate about theology and biblical studies, exploring new cultures, and eating good food. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course K:  The Emergence and Evolution of Christian Architecture   [ZOOM]
This course surveys the social and political environment in which the first Christian churches emerged, and how these factors continue to influence the building of churches, influencing their location, size, structure, and style. Participants will explore how theology, technology, liturgy, and politics shaped and continue to shape church architecture.

Vicki Bennett, PhD. Trained in medieval and classical archaeology and has worked on sites Western Europe and Roman North Africa. She is passionate about the learning that built space offers to those who pause to listen. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)

 

Course L:  Weathered Honesty: Psalms Leading us from Lament to Praise   [ZOOM]
On this journey we will discuss why the Psalms are so important, why they are included in worship, and will identify different types of psalms (pride, thanksgiving, lament, royal, historic). Students will be asked to write a psalm, and maybe we will write one as a group on the theme of the week.

Rev. Chris grew up Roman Catholic, dabbled in Buddhism, studied the Beat Generation, felt the call of God to minister in the Presbyterian church and currently pastors at Westminster Presbyterian in Westboro where he lives with his wife and three sons. (See Winter Term Course Material for more information about this course.)