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Brief Description of the School |
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The "Lay Institute" was founded over 20 years ago by
a group of committed Episcopalians who realized that the church
in Central Florida was experiencing renewal and that the people
in Central Florida were seeking sound teaching in all areas of
their Christian walk. Simultaneously, a revival of the ancient
order of the Vocational Diaconate was taking place; individuals
who were seeking to become deacons needed a place and program
in which to learn and be prepared for that ministry. |
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Today, the mission of ICS is much the same: to provide adult
Christian education and training for any interested person, as
well as training for aspirants to the Diaconate, and continuing
education for the clergy. |
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The ICS consists of two schools: The School of Continuing Education,
and the School of Diaconal Training. The courses in the School
of Continuing Education are open to any person interested in
the subject being presented. Courses in the School of Diaconal
Training are open to Postulants for ordination to the diaconate,
who have completed all of the courses in scriptural and religious
studies in the School of Continuing Education. Information about
the School of Diaconal Training and continuing education for
clergy will be found in a separate catalog. |
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ICS offers scriptural, religious, and special courses. Scriptural
courses include courses on biblical criticism, and the Old and
New Testaments. Religious courses include courses in church history,
liturgy, the Book of Common Prayer, personal spirituality, the
life of prayer, evangelism, and ethics. Special courses are offered
as well, which prepare Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Preachers
and Lay Catechists for licensure, and others which relate to
other areas of interest and Ministry. |
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The ICS continues to grow, adding workshops and ministry days
in the deaneries, Walking the Mourner's Path Ministry facilitator
training, and, new this year, a program designed to assist individuals
who are seeking to hear and understand God's call in their lives.
A program to train spiritual directors is planned to begin in
2000. |
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Courses are varied, interesting, challenging and inspiring. The
course material is designed so that courses are presented one
course at a time; most courses can be completed on one Saturday.
COURSES ARE OPEN TO ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT
BEING PRESENTED. The one-day format makes it possible for
the student to take for credit, or to audit, any course in any
sequence. |
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