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"From a Loft" Archives:
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trust that for our students it is proving to be a fruitful time with lots of new learning and discovery in your studies. In this edition you will find information about our Graduation Ceremony and our 2009 graduates. Whilst that occurred back in April, for those involved there remain vivid memories of a significant occasion. Our congratulations go to this year’s graduates. Over the last two years the Ecumenical Board and the Academic Committee have been engaged in an on-going exercise of strategic planning that has looked at the future “positioning” of EIDTS. This has included a consideration of the continuing relevance of the name “Ecumenical Institute of Distance Theological Studies” (or EIDTS) and the structure and content of the L.Th qualification itself. With the mid-year evaluation forms that were sent to students this year we included some additional questions concerning the relevance and continuing use of the name. We were grateful for the responses that were made to those questions. They were of considerable assistance to the Board and Academic Committee in their considerations. At its meeting in October the Board will be considering the options that are open to it and how it might progress from this point. Another task that has exercised my attention in recent weeks has been the submission of our application for funding through the Tertiary Education Commission. This has been an interesting exercise. As part of that submission we are required to demonstrate how our courses equip our students with an appreciation of the cultural and spiritual values within New Zealand society, and to show that studying with EIDTS equips our graduates to obtain both voluntary and paid positions in their community. We will therefore be asking some further questions with our end of year course evaluations to provide information on those matters. Whilst this may feel like a further imposition on our students we trust that it will not be too arduous – and we will also be providing for these questions to be responded to on-line. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these issues please feel free to contact me directly. I trust that your studies over the rest of this year will continue to challenge, inspire and inform you in your life and work. Bruce Hansen
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“Introduction to Pastoral Theology”The “Introduction to Pastoral Theology” Residential School was held at the Bishop Julius Hall in Christchurch from Tuesday 7 July to Thursday 9. Twelve students shared in the school along with the Tutor the Rev Dr Mary Caygill of Auckland.Comments made by the students following the school included: The residential school was a wonderful 3-day introduction to pastoral theology. Mary Caygill brought the subject alive with her knowledge, passion and sensitivity. The course provided a clear theological framework for pastoral care, and an understanding of what makes care ‘pastoral’. … There were many opportunities for participants to share experiences, ideas, and to explore issues together. … In the words of one of the articles in our course reader, the purpose of pastoral care is to help people gain an understanding of the stories of their lives, to interpret their stories in a new way, and on the basis of that fresh understanding to find their lives transformed. It was a great opportunity to bounce off thoughts and reflections in a group setting amongst the other students .. and to get a great deal of concise information, reflections and personal experiences from our tutor which would not otherwise have been available from the readings and set texts. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to attend. We managed to cover a significant amount in such a short time and it was a valuable way to get an understanding of what we will be engaging in over the next few months. … Mary generously shared with us some of her wisdom and her many insightful stories. It was definitely a rewarding few days. There was also the joy to be had in the setting in which the residential school was held—the paths through the bush gardens with the stream and bridges and seats at various places. All generated stories in my mind of seasons and journeys and rest. |
Greetings to you all.