PCS 505 - A New New Testament: Exploring Sacred Texts
This course provides new perspectives on the legacy of Jesus in the earliest Christian communities that include a fresh mixture of the traditional New Testament Gospels alongside a treasure chest of ancient texts that were lost for centuries and now have been discovered and translated: the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Thomas, the Acts of Paul and Thecla, the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and The Thunder: Perfect Mind. These texts are just as important as the canonical New Testament in shaping early Christian communities and beliefs. They reveal a fuller portrait of the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus that broaden intellectual understanding and spiritual growth.
Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan
Course Instructor
Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan, MA, D.Min, ARCWP, a Sister for Christian Community, is one of the founding members of the People’s Catholic Seminary. She is a member of the pastoral team at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. Bridget Mary presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry. She is an author of twenty books including The Healing Power of Prayer: New and Expanded Edition and Praying with Women of the Bible. Her work in communications media include programs about women priests on Google and YouTube. She is dean of the D. Min. and M.Div programs for Global Ministries University. Bridget Mary was ordained a priest in the first USA ordination in Pittsburgh on July 31, 2006 and was ordained a bishop in Santa Barbara, California on April 19, 2009. Her blog is http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/
Course Format
This course is offered as an independent study or in a cohort model. Cohorts meet in Zoom to foster an interactive learning community. Students post assignments and are encouraged to comment on each other’s posts. The material from this course is ideal for homily development and pastoral education.
Dr. Mary Theresa Streck
Course Instructor
Rev. Dr. Mary Theresa Streck, Ed.D., D.Min, ARCWP is one of the founding members of the People’s Catholic Seminary. She is a member of the pastoral team at the Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community in Albany, NY. She presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry. She is currently the lead program coordinator of the ARCWP Program of Preparation team. Mary Theresa is an educator and artist who designs and creates sacred arts. She earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Sage Colleges, a Doctorate in Ministry from Global Ministries University and certificate in spiritual direction from Holy Ground, a spiritual direction training program. She was ordained a priest on September 15, 2013 and is a commissioned member of the Federation of Christian Ministries.