Winter Study Across the ACNA
Each winter, as the Church’s Christmas festivities give way to the more diffuse joys of Epiphanytide, Anglican seminaries and theological institutes across the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) remain busy with study, prayer, and formation. While many parishioners associate theological education primarily with degree programs or residential seminary life, the reality across our province is far richer and more accessible than you might imagine. Winter terms and intensives offer clergy, lay leaders, and interested Anglicans an opportunity to engage with Scripture, theology, history, and pastoral practice in focused, often innovative formats.
Whether you are new to Anglicanism, a long-time member, a seminarian, or clergy, you will find it worthwhile to survey these academic offerings across our province. These offerings reflect the breadth of Anglican theological education today and provide a glimpse into the rhythms of formation shaping clergy and lay leaders alike. For those considering future study, auditing opportunities, or simply wanting to know how theological education is unfolding across the ACNA, the winter term offers a revealing snapshot.
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Trinity Anglican Seminary: January Intensives at Ambridge
Trinity Anglican Seminary (TAS) continues its long-standing tradition of January and June intensives, offering a concentrated period of study in a conference-like residential setting. All January 2026 intensives, except one, will be held at Trinity’s Ambridge campus, bringing together students, faculty, and guest speakers for a week of focused theological engagement.
The Trinity intensives serve students across multiple degree programs, including master’s-level courses, the STM, and the Doctor of Ministry. Coursework is carefully tiered, with preparatory reading and assignments beginning weeks, sometimes months, before the residential week and concluding well after it ends. This structure allows for sustained reflection that integrates academic rigor with ministerial practice.
This winter’s offerings include a wide range of topics, several of which have been highlighted on Anglican Compass: Cultural Engagement and the Early Church, The Book of Exodus, Enscripturation: Finding Yourself in the Scriptures, and Final Project Presentations. These courses demonstrate Trinity’s commitment to preparing pastors and leaders who can read Scripture deeply, engage culture faithfully, and articulate the gospel clearly.
TAS West Coast: Anglican Canon Law
Winter offerings across the ACNA are not limited to traditional seminary campuses. Trinity is also offering an in-person course on Introduction to Anglican Canon Law, held in Long Beach, California. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of ecclesial governance and church order within Anglican formation.
This course, taught by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Phil Ashey, will be particularly valuable for clergy, wardens, vestry members, and diocesan leaders who must navigate the practical realities of Anglican polity. By situating canon law within a broader theological and historical framework, this course serves the Church’s life by equipping leaders to act wisely and faithfully within its structures.
Cranmer Theological House: Modular Formation for Working Students
Cranmer Theological House (CTH) continues to exemplify a model of theological education for students already embedded in parish life, secular vocations, or both. Utilizing a modular schedule, Cranmer offers courses on a quarterly basis, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, with classes typically meeting over a single intensive weekend.
These residential weekends follow a demanding but accessible rhythm, allowing students to engage deeply with the material while minimizing extended time away from work or family. As with most graduate-level theological education, the residential sessions are supported by substantial pre- and post-class assignments, including final papers.
Beyond residential weekends, Cranmer also offers External Studies and Directed Studies, enabling students to progress through programs in a timely manner. A full-time student could, in theory, complete up to ten residential courses per year, supplemented by additional coursework. During this winter term, Cranmer has offered courses such as The Old Testament Poetic Books and The Gospels, both of which have been featured on Anglican Compass. Although registration for these courses may be closed, they reflect the kind of scripturally grounded, pastorally attentive instruction that Cranmer consistently provides.
Cranmer Theological House at Christ the King, Atlanta
One recent and encouraging development in Anglican theological education is the growth of extension campuses that bring seminary instruction directly into parish settings. At Christ the King Anglican Church in Atlanta, Cranmer Theological House has established an extension campus serving both degree-seeking students and auditors.
Currently, more than twenty students take approximately four classes per year in-person at Christ the King, with additional coursework completed online. Beginning in 2026, this campus will offer all classes required for a Certificate in Anglican Studies, expanding access for those seeking structured theological formation without relocating.
The vision of the Atlanta campus is explicitly formational rather than merely academic. Whether students pursue credit or audit courses, the aim is that all might have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Winter intensives hosted at Christ the King reflect this commitment to grounding theological study in the life of the local church.
The Ridley Institute at St. Andrew’s: Accessible Formation for the Local Church
The Ridley Institute at St. Andrew’s Church offers a different but complementary model of winter theological education. Located at St. Andrew’s Mt. Pleasant campus, Ridley provides six-week courses in Bible and theology three times a year—winter, spring, and fall.
These classes are intentionally accessible to those beginning the journey of faith while remaining substantive enough for mature believers. Regular offerings include Introduction to the Bible, Basic Theology, Knowing Jesus from the Gospels, Christian Living and Ethics, Prayer, and Apologetics and Evangelism. In addition to these courses, Ridley hosts weekend intensives and guest speakers addressing key topics in Christian life and witness.
This winter’s programming includes the intensive Equipped for Evangelism, reflecting Ridley’s emphasis on formation that directly serves the Church’s mission. While not all offerings are credit-bearing, they play a vital role in cultivating theological literacy and spiritual maturity at the parish level.
Nashotah House: Winter Term in the Catholic Anglican Tradition
Nashotah House Theological Seminary remains a cornerstone of Anglican theological education, particularly within the catholic tradition of the Church.
Winter Term at Nashotah House typically combines rigorous academic coursework with the daily rhythm of prayer, Eucharist, and community life that has defined the seminary since its founding. Even when registration is closed, awareness of Nashotah’s winter offerings helps situate the broader landscape of Anglican theological education within its historic roots.
Looking Ahead
For those discerning future study, considering auditing a course, or simply wanting to understand how clergy and lay leaders are being formed, these winter offerings provide a valuable glimpse into the ongoing work of theological education across the ACNA. As spring and summer terms approach, opportunities will continue to arise for deeper engagement in the life of the mind and the life of the Church.
Image: Oxford, UK, in the snow. Photo by Dafni K on Unsplash.
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