Registration About the course About the leader, Brian Drayton
““Isaac and Mary
Penington — two great seekers, whose search drew them together and did
not cease with their marriage, nor with their surprising union with the
early Quaker movement. This course will introduce Mary and Isaac both
as a couple and as individuals: nourishing and challenging elders, and
fearless spiritual discoverers.” …. Brian Drayton
Mary and Isaac Penington: Seekers, Finders,
Guides...In this course you will meet Isaac and Mary Penington, through
their autobiographical and spiritual writings. Isaac's work has been a
fundamental resource for Friends and others for more than 3 centuries.
Isaac and Mary-- separately and together -- were seekers both before and
after they joined Friends, and even after they found a home with the
movement, their seeking and witness continued for the rest of their
lives. "If I could go back to those times and pay one visit, I'd want
to spend a few days at their house" Brian says.
The readings (audio and text) will
be made available once a week. You will have a couple of days to absorb them. Brian will open up discussion
questions for you to respond to online. This is an intermediate level course, requiring reading and listening,
analysis and response. It will take about 2 hours per week, spread over two or three days. You will be expected to
check the course web site at least twice a week.
Brian Drayton
has led well received courses for Quaker Studies on the testimonies and
on leadings. This is his first online course. He is a member of Weare
MM, and an acknowledged minister, has travelled, written, and taught
widely among Friends, and loves to introduce people to the riches of
early Quaker writings — as a way to strengthen our current faithfulness.
Some of his writings include James Nayler Speaking (Pendle Hill Pamphlet 413) and On living with a concern for Gospel ministry.
About Online courses: We use Moodle, an online program
that organizes information and your responses to it so that it’s easy
to learn. Each week you will spend 2 to 3 hours (spread over several days), reading and listening to course materials,
writing online and reading and responding to what your fellow students write.
For the full experience, you will need: a speedy internet
connection and a recent browser - Firefox 3 or later; Safari 3 or later;
Google Chrome 4 or later; Opera 9 or later; MS Internet Explorer 7.
Course expectations:
-
2 to 3 hours of work per week (reading and forum posts) spread out over the week.
-
Online interaction is part of the course. You support the learning of
everyone else by your participation.
You will be expected to contribute something to the discussion forums
(if only “I have no answer to this question...”) at least twice a week.
- If you will be absent for more than 3 days or must drop the course,
you are expected to post a message in the community forum letting the
other course members know.
