Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States		 The Bishop Harry B. Scott III
School of Theology

Newport News, Virginia

The Bishop Harry B. Scott III School of Theology was developed with the late vocation especially in mind, realizing that in most cases full time attendance at a conventional seminary is not possible due to work and family obligations. The time honored custom of reading for Holy Orders did not allow for the development of a collegial spirit and formation of those who would be ACC clergy, and something more was needed.

While at the School, students experience complete immersion in the life of the Church, including the daily offices of Matins, Vespers, and Compline, and Mass. There is adequate time for personal reflection and individual counseling by members of the faculty, as well as discussions among the students themselves on their vocations and the Church. All meals are taken in common.

Faculty members are clergy and others who are actively engaged in the work of the Church, as Rectors, Priests-in Charge, Music Directors, or Diocesan Officers, in addition to having teaching responsibilities at the School. They have a wide and varied background, including both practical and academic experience and credentials.

The program consists of five sessions, extending over two years and six months. Each session is one week in length, from Monday to Friday, allowing students to be back in the own parishes for Sunday worship. Classes are demanding and concentrated and many will have assignments to be completed upon return home.

CURRICULUM
Session I (Spring)
  • Pastoral Offices I
  • The Seven Ecumenical Councils
  • Church Music I
  • Eschatology
  • Christian Education I
  • Anglican Liturgy I & 11
  • Sacramental Theology
    • Session II (Fall)
  • Patristics
  • Anglican Liturgy III & IV
  • Old Testament & Apocrypha I & II
  • New Testament I & II
  • Christian Education II
    • Session III (Spring)
  • Pastoral Offices 11
  • Church History to 1600
  • Old Testament III & IV
  • New Testament III & IV
  • Anglican Liturgy V & VI
    • Session IV (Fall)
  • Homiletics
  • Anglican Liturgy VII
  • Church Music II
  • Pastoral Theology
  • The Apostolic Church
  • Parish Administration I & II
  • Christian Mysticism
    • Session V (Spring)
  • Pastoral Offices III
  • Manual Acts of the Liturgy
  • Church History (1600 date)
  • Moral Theology
  • Apologetics
  • Canon Law
  • Pastoral Identity

    • Diocesan Canonicals serve as final examinations for the School. Upon successful completion, a Licentiate in Theology is awarded by the Diocese to those entering Holy Orders. Students not seeking ordination receive a Certificate of Completion. When a graduate is approved by the Bishop and Diocesan Commission on Holy Orders, he may then be considered for ordination to the Diaconate.

    Admission to the Scott School program is not in any way a guarantee of ordination, nor is a desire for ordination a prerequisite to attending. There is no charge (including for room and board) for those from the Diocese of the Mid Atlantic States (DMAS) who are seeking ordination. Others are welcome to attend when space is available at a cost of $150.00 per session, which includes a dormitory bed and all meals. Transportation to and from the School is an individual responsibility.

    Admission Procedures

    Each student is individually evaluated as to suitability for the Scott School, including a personal interview when appropriate. A baccalaureate or graduate degree is not a mandatory prerequisite for attendance, but the student is fully expected to have the ability to do work at a graduate level and must be an active communicant of an ACC parish. Although not required for admission to the School, those men who are considering ordination will need the approval of both their Rector or Priest in Charge and the Vestry of their parish, as well as a psychological evaluation and a background check. The candidate for Holy Orders must also have as a minimum one year's experience as a layreader, a personal interview with the Bishop Ordinary and approval (with a personal appearance) by the Diocesan Commission on Holy Orders.

    Graduate Degree Program

    For those students who do not already hold a Master's level degree, or wish to obtain a formal degree in religion, the Scott School cooperates with and recommends Catholic Distance University. It offers a Master of Arts in Religious Studies, which can be earned by distance learning, and which is fully accredited by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Council on Higher Education. More information can be obtained from the Warden or directly from the CDU web site itself.

    FACULTY
    Anglican Liturgy, Homiletics:

    The Rt. Rev. William McClean
    The Venerable C. Thomas McHenry

    Christian Education:

    The Very Rev. Francis S. Blair

    Pastoral Identity:

    The Rev. Canon Marvin Gardner

    Old Testament & Apocrypha:

    The Rev. Canon Wallace Shields

    New Testament:

    The Rev. William Crites

    Church History, Sacramental Theology, Eschatology, Mysticism:

    The Rev. Daniel C. Warren

    Moral Theology, Apologetics, Pastoral Theology:

    The Rev. Nicholas Athanaelos

    Parish Administration:

    The Rev. Dennis Sossi

    Church Music:

    Bernard Riley, M.A.

    Canon Law:

    Bruce Shine, Esq.

    Guest faculty is also frequently invited for special presentations and seminars.

    For more information or to inquire further, contact:

    The Rev. Father Daniel C. Warren
    Warden
    P.O. Box 11315
    Newport News, VA 23601
    757.595.4318

    Return to Scott School Page

    updated February 21, 2008