On Monday, 9th May, students gathered in Dromantine Conference and Retreat Centre for an evening of celebration and thanksgiving signaling the end of the three-year ‘Exploring Theology’ course.  Since September 2008, over eighty students from various Church backgrounds have attended the course. By the end of the three years over sixty people still regularly participated in the unique course that provided teaching from Catholic and Protestant perspectives.  Organised through the partnership of the Society of African Missions, Edgehill Theological College, Belfast and Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin, the programme benefited from over £75,000 of funding from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme.


The student-planned and led celebration marked the completion of the first three-year ‘Exploring Theology’ course. A mix of song, scripture and stories were a part of the service in which students expressed deep gratitude and thanksgiving for their experience throughout the course. As a part of the ceremony, eight students shared a particular symbol to represent their experience with the course. A textbook, cup and saucer, Bible, flowering plant, tea and biscuits, water jug, potted plant, and laptop were the symbols shared, representing different aspects of students’ experience. Throughout the evening, students expressed ways in which the course challenged them and made them grow in their thinking and faith. Others expressed their appreciation for the variety of backgrounds and perspectives that were represented throughout the course and for the meaningful relationships that were formed throughout the three years.


At the end of the celebration, students received a certificate of attendance presented by the Rev Dr Richard Clutterbuck, Principal of Edgehill, Fr Damian Bresnahan, Provincial Councillor of the Society of African Missions, and Dr Andrew McGrady, Director of Mater Dei. Following the distribution of certificates, students were given a candle which they lit and were commissioned to carry their light out into the world. They proceeded out of the hall singing the song Walk in the light. 


While for some the evening formally marked the end of their time with the ‘Exploring Theology’ course, others hope to continue their education in pursuit of further learning through an ‘Exploring Theology’ Diploma course which will be offered beginning September 2011. Click here for more information on the Diploma course.

A new ‘Exploring Theology’ Certificate course will also be offered beginning in the autumn of 2011. For more information on the two-year course, click here. 

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