Diocesan Study Program

The Diocesan Study Program (DSP) has been a valuable element in Christian education and formation in the Diocese of Vermont since the 1970s. It began as a three-year program with distinct classes in the seven areas of competency prescribed by the canons of the Episcopal Church for those who would be entering the ordained ministry (scripture, theology, church history, ethics, liturgy and music, church and society, and theory and practice of ministry). A task force evaluated the program in 2001 and concluded that a two-year program with a more integrated approach offering both academic study and opportunities for individual and corporate spiritual formation might better serve those seeking to deepen their faith.

In this new model, the participants, who come together from all parts of the Diocese of Vermont, are accompanied by the same leaders for the entire program, with various resource people invited to share their knowledge and experience with the class as specific needs arise.

The first session of the revised two-year program, with the theme, “Learning to be a faithful Anglican in the twenty-first century,” concluded in January, 2005, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Lee Alison Crawford and Anne Clarke Brown.

The second session, under the leadership of the Rev. John Morris, Liz Stedman and Hilary Cooke, concluded in June, 2005.

The most recent session began in the fall of 2005 at Christ Church, Montpelier and concluded in the summer of 2007. One track was a new two-year group, and the second was a series of sessions for those who have completed a DSP course and were seeking continuing learning opportunities.

The DSP faculty will offer a series on one-session Sunday afternoon book discussion groups in 2007-2008, as well as opportunities for congregations to sponsor learning opportunities. See below for more information,

For information on the program, please contact the Rev. John C. Morris (morrisvt@tops-tele.com, or 802-439-6599, or 37 Thompson Road, East Corinth, VT 05040).

Book discussion: The Dream of God, by Verna Dozier
Sunday, September 23 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

All interested adults are welcome to participate in this discussion. The location will be announced after it is determined what will be most convenient for those who will be attending. This event is sponsored by the Diocesan Study Program and the discussion will be led by The Rev. John Morris, Dean of DSP.

Verna Dozier was a biblical scholar and a leader of Bible study seminars, a church consultant and an advocate and spokeswoman for the authority and ministry of the laity in religious communities. She led classes and workshops throughout the United States and overseas, made audio- and videotape recordings and was author or co-author of dozens of books, articles and pamphlets on spiritual concerns and issues.  A retired Washington, D.C. public school teacher and administrator who became a leading theologian and lay preacher in the Episcopal Church, she died on September 1, 2006.
Of her many writings, her own personal favorite was "The Dream of God: A Call to Return" (1991), in which she argued that religious leaders too often ignore social justice to focus instead on spirituality. God wanted people "to follow Jesus and not merely worship him," Ms. Dozier said.

The book is available for purchase at Hopkins Bookshop in Burlington (1-800-639-3611). For information on the program, please contact the Rev. John C. Morris (morrisvt@tops-tele.com, or 802-439-6599, or 37 Thompson Road, East Corinth, VT 05040).

DSP Take-Out Menu

DSP is supplementing its “dine in” menu with the opportunity for parishes or groups within the Diocese to choose a program that could meet some specific learning needs and have DSP go “on the road” with that program.

The following menu includes some options that could be provided by having an instructor come to a location convenient for a group of learners. If there is another specific topic that a group is interested in exploring, DSP could help arrange such a program. All programs are flexible in terms of arrangements (scheduling, number of sessions, depth of exploration, etc.). If interested, please contact John Morris (439-6599 or morrisvt@tops-tele.com). Click here to download a poster of the Take-Out Menu (pdf, 34k).