ADC has recently completed a major curriculum review. Pending the approval of the University Senate, the curriculum changes will take affect in 2011.
For more information, please see documents ADC has shared on their website here.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Article on the launch of the Taylor Centre
Taylor Centre launched
By Wendy Elliott
There was one Charlie Taylor story after another at the formal launch of the Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care on Feb. 8. Those attending spilled out of the Langley Room into the hallways at the Acadia Divinity College (ADC).
Rev. Hank Dixon came the farthest. He is chaplain at Stony Mountain Institution in Saskatchewan. A prison chaplain for a dozen years, Dixon acknowledged he is a “lifer.” He went to jail at the age of 19 for murder and served nine years.
A decade after his release in 1985, Dixon was ordained as a Baptist minister. He is working toward a DMin and told those assembled, “if you want to know Charlie’s legacy, you are looking at it.”
Representing him and his sister Dawn, David Taylor called his father ahead of his time, holding prison marathons over a 40-year period and organizing theological drama.
One of the oft-quoted Taylor phrases he repeated was, “if you aren’t living on the edge then you’re taking up too much space.”
Corrections Services Canada Regional Chaplain, Hugh Kirkegaard, said there is no better example than Charlie of a chaplain going into prisons, hospitals, war zone and shanty towns.
He had two quotes to share: “the longest distance we have to travel is from the head to the heart” and “we are all more alike than different.”
Wolfville resident Dora Crosby, one of the original prison marathoners, called Charlie a mystic who was profoundly affected by the accidental shooting of a schoolmate that resulted in the teenage perpetrator being sent to jail.
Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, who is the chaplaincy liaison at the college, said the centre will build “on the professional and spiritual legacy of the late Dr. Taylor, an Order of Canada recipient, pioneer in clinical pastoral education in Canada, and an internationally recognized leader in ministry to prisoners, their families, and their communities.”
A renewed emphasis on chaplaincy, pastoral care and counseling, she said, will position ADC in the coming decade as a leader in training women and men for specialized pastoral ministries, in hospital, military, prison, extended care, workplace, sport and other life settings.
The new centre “honours the gracious life and witness of Dr. Charlie Taylor, whose most well-known book said it best — Only Love Heals” and a second chaplaincy pioneer, Dr. Dennis Veinotte of New Minas.
Rev. Phil Ferris, from the Westmorland Institution in Dorchester, N.B., detailed how Charlie’s teaching about the power of love affected one inmate and quoted him saying “it isn’t what you have in life, it’s what you do with it.”
Dr. David Watt recalled when he was a student, Charlie saying to him “there’s more to university than playing hockey. He was trying to put me back on track.”
Rev. Greg Doyle concluded the wise quotes of the day by mentioning a prayer prayed by former ADC president Dr. Harold Mitton. He said, “ Dear Lord, help me to be what others think I am.”
ADC president Dr. Harry Gardner mentioned that four distinct degree programs in chaplaincy are being set up for September. Rev. Wilma Janzen of the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility also took part in the ceremonies.
Dr. Jody Clarke of the Atlantic School of Theology spoke about the work of the centre’s new director, Dr. Tracy Demmons, in the mental health wards of the Halifax area and her skill with the marginalized who have severe psychosis.
Dr. Taylor passed away in 2004 at the age of 86. He taught at the Acadia Divinity College for an incredible 50 years.
An old-fashioned brass bell Dr. Taylor used to ring in the hallway of the college was rung to symbolize the launch.
Taylor Centre Featured in Christian Week
The Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care was featured recently in Christian Week. View the feature online here.
Official Launch of the Taylor Centre
The Official launch of the Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care took place on Feb 8 at Acadia Divinity College.
The mission of the Taylor Centre is to foster and promote clinical and theological excellence in the area of Pastoral Care through personal growth, the building of professional capacities and rigorous theological reflection. The Taylor Centre will train and prepare men and women for pastoral ministry in specialized forms (including hospital Chaplaincy, military Chaplaincy, prison Chaplaincy) and a variety of other caring professions, for which care for the Spirit is of primary importance.
Curriculum Review underway
Following extensive consultations conducted during the recent self-study process for accreditation renewal with the Association of Theological Schools, the faculty of the College has launched into a process of updating and retooling its masters and bachelors degree programs. Building on the success of the recently relaunched Doctor of Ministry curriculum, the process is designed to produce a curriculum that, while preserving academic rigour, better equips Christian leaders for ministry in contemporary society.
“We learned a lot from listening to our constituency during the self-study process”, commented Academic Dean Dr. Bruce Fawcett. “While we heard great admiration for the quality of education at ADC, we also heard a plea for revisions to the more applied areas of our programs that would result in effective preparation for ministry in a very different environment that exists when compared to the time of the College’s founding. Some of our key watchwords in the review process have been: missional, hopeful, contextualized, renewal, rigorous, accessibility, and affordability. We think our constituency will be delighted by the future direction of the College”.
“We are excited about the proposed changes to existing programs for those planning an academic career and those seeking ordination, but also about potential new programs in the area of chaplaincy and equipping other ministry leaders. We anticipate that through our Wolfville campus, our new New Brunswick extension, and our existing Halifax metro extension to offer new programs and degrees that would benefit volunteer leaders, part-time church staff, and others who have a heart for ministry but are not seeking ordination”, said President Harry Gardner.
The President’s Task Force on Curricular Renewal, comprised of Stephen McMullin (Director, New Brunswick Extension Program), Dr. Leslie McCurdy (Director, ADC in Metro), Dr. Glenn Wooden (Associate Professor of Old Testament), Dr. Bruce Fawcett (Academic Dean), and Dr. Harry Gardner (President), has completed the bulk of its work as a committee of the faculty and has begun presenting its recommendations to the faculty for discussion and revision. It is hoped that the proposed changes will be presented for Senate approval early in the New Year so that the new programs will be ready for students in the fall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)