
With the Anglican Centre in Rome as principal organizer, and in partnership with the Virginia Theological Seminary (Alexandria VA, USA), the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, Trinity Church Wall Street (New York), and the Utrecht Summer School, “Anglicanism in European Perspective” is intended for any student of Christian traditions, whether living or simply visiting in Europe, interested in seeing this historic Christian tradition through the lens of its centuries-long presence on the European Continent.
The Anglican Communion is the third-largest global communion in the Christian tradition, after the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Yet despite their centuries-long presence in Continental Europe, Anglican churches are relatively little known—and less understood—in Europe. As a tradition with its roots in the Reformation as it was experienced in the British Isles, and as a global church that spread alongside the British Empire, Anglicanism has historically been a migrant church in Europe—until recent years, largely the faith of American and British expatriate communities.
Continental Europe is a distinctive arena for the Anglican tradition. It is one of few places on earth where the churches of more than one province in communion with the See of Canterbury—the sine qua non of membership in the Anglican Communion—are present as neighbors. The four Anglican churches present in continental Europe—the Church of England, the Episcopal Church, the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church, and the Lusitanian Catholic Apostolic Evangelical Church—each exist for unique reasons, and have distinct histories here. And increasingly, Anglican faith communities draw worshippers from the European contexts and cultures within which they are present—offering worship services in local languages.
Serving clergy, those interested in ordination, and lay leaders of Anglican congregations in Europe are especially welcome to apply.
More information about the program and lecturers can be found in the Day-to-day program that will be uploaded as soon as possible.
This course can be combined with two additional courses offered by the Old Catholic Summer School, including a basic course: Old Catholic Theology in its Ecumenical Context and a second week of advanced studies: Old Catholic Theology beyond the Basics: In search of being Church in Communion. That course is offered in immediate connection with the introductory course. Combining both courses leads to a reduction of the total course fee. You can apply for the combination track here Old Catholic Theology: Communion as Calling and Challenge.
Lecturers
Instructors at the Summer School will include:
The Most Reverend Ian Ernest, Director, Anglican Centre in Rome, and past Primate, Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean
The Reverend Dr. Kathy Grieb, Director of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies, Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal Church)
The Reverend Dr. Charlotte Methuen, University of Glasgow (Scottish Episcopal Church)
The Reverend Dr. Jack McDonald, University of Leuven (Church of England)
The Right Reverend James Tengatenga, University of the South (Church of the Province of Central Africa)
Dr. Christopher Wells, Director of Unity, Faith, and Order, Anglican Communion Office (Episcopal Church)
Target audience
- Serving clergy and those interested in ordination;
- Clergy and theologians interested in Anglicanism and ecumenism;
- Lay leaders of Anglican congregations in Europe are especially welcome to apply.
The course is of specific interest for students from Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Roman Catholic and ecumenical backgrounds.
Aim of the course
Upon completing the course:
- the student will be familiar with central aspects of Anglican/Episcopal identity and theology;
- the student will be able to contextualize Anglican theology within the broader spectrum of theology and religious studies;
- the student will be able to undertake further independent exploratory studies of specific aspects of Anglican theology.
Study load
4 contact hours/day, about 40 hours or preparatory self-study will be required.
Costs
Keep the rules concerning traveling of your own country and of the Netherlands in mind when applying (travel information can be found here). If it somehow will not be possible to organize the summer school in Utrecht, there will be a back-up plan to deliver the summer school online. There will be a possibility to cancel your application if you only want to attend the summer school when it takes place in Utrecht.
N.B. there won't be a recording or online live stream if the course takes place on location, in Utrecht.
Additional information
As this course starts on Sunday 16 July 2023, you are welcome to check-in at the Utrecht Summer School accommodation on Saturday 15 July 2023. This is a different arrangement from the other Summer School courses, so please make sure to take a look on the course page for housing information. More information will be presented in the pre-departure document, which all fully registered students will receive in March 2023.
Application
Keep the rules concerning traveling of your own country and of the Netherlands in mind when applying (travel information can be found here). If it somehow will not be possible to organise the summer school in Utrecht, there will be a back-up plan to deliver the summer school online. There will be a possibility to cancel your application if you only want to attend the summer school when it takes place in Utrecht.
N.B. there won't be a recording or online live stream if the course takes place on location, in Utrecht.
Contact details
Rev Dr Walter Baer | Course Registrar | Email: wbaer@tec-europe.org