Welcome to the Institute for Christian Studies! You are about to enter a wonderful world of opportunities for gaining knowledge and insight, friends and fellowship, a deepened faith in our Lord, and an appreciation for the traditions of the Episcopal Church.

 School of Continuing Education and School of Pastoral Care

We are looking forward to a great year. Interest and enthusiasm for the school grows among students, faculty, and prospective students.

The curriculum includes Scripture and Religion courses, as well as new courses in the School for Pastoral Care and designed for lay persons involved in and with a heart for pastoral care. Other popular programs include Parish Health Ministry, Christian Education, Lay Eucharistic Ministry/Lay Eucharistic Visitor, preparation for Lay Preacher and Lay Catechist licensure, Anti-Racism Training, Acolyte Workshops, and three offerings jointly with Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center: two overnight retreats, Listening to Silence, Writing to God, The Vestry Leadership Retreat, and the one-day Parish Secretaries and Other Staff Retreat.

I invite you to read carefully, choose a course (or more) to attend, send in the registration form, and join us on the adventure that is ICS.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (407) 423-3567 x.303, (800) 299-3567 x303 or via e-mail at Lindabron@aol.com. We welcome your inquiries. You may also refer to our website: cfdiocese.org.

Any lay person may attend any of the courses listed in the Scriptural Studies, Religion Studies, and Pastoral Care/Special Courses sections! Won’t you consider joining the ICS this year?

 School of Diaconal Training and Continuing Education for Clergy

The Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) has always had, as part of its mission, the training of men and women for the ministry of the vocational diaconate. The School of Diaconal Training (SDT) has been established by the ICS to continue and improve this function. In addition, the SDT also provides continuing education for clergy, both deacons and priests.

The courses described in this catalog are open to those who have completed the required coursework in the School for Continuing Education and who are postulants in the ordination process for the vocational diaconate, and to those who have been ordained priest or deacon. Persons who are not in the process, or have not been ordained, will find many interesting and exciting courses in the areas of ministry, scripture, and religion studies in the catalog of the ICS, School of Continuing Education (described in the section above).

We are looking forward to an exciting year. The many new workshops will greatly enhance the deacon’s ministry. There is an increasing interest in the school, frequent inquiries from individuals both within and outside our diocese, and an interest on the part of many qualified individuals, offering their expertise and asking to teach!

I invite those who are anticipating ordination, or those who have been ordained, to read this catalog carefully. If you are interested in one of the workshops, send in the registration form and join us as we learn and grow in order to become more effective ministers in the Church of God.

Won’t you consider joining the ICS community this year?

In His Service,

Linda J. Brondsted, Dean