Blessed are the Peacemakers

Summer Scripture School 2026

In the description for our Summer School last year, we noted that we were living in unprecedented and uncertain times. A year later, against the backdrop of another war, protests, and economic upheaval, those times have become even more uncertain and frightening. To speak of peace in today's world may no longer seem idealistic for many people, but even unrealistic. Yet, as Pope Leo XIV notes, "Peace is more than just a goal; it is a presence and a journey. Even when it is endangered within us and around us, like a small flame threatened by a storm, we must protect it, never forgetting the names and stories of those who have borne witness to it."

With this in mind, our Summer Scripture School for this year will explore how peace, reconciliation, and hostility are presented in key texts of the Bible, and how they might offer a word of path through a world that seems to have gone mad.

Important Update (30.05.26)

As some of you may know, Kieran was recently in hospital and has been advised to rest over the coming weeks. Unfortunately, this means he will not be able to join us for this year's Summer School, though he will be with us in spirit. 

However, we still plan to have a full schedule and have made some adjustments to the outline. While Kieran's four presentations on Ephesians will not go ahead, Jessie will offer two presentations on the letter as part of her own topic. Likewise, Seán will expand his topic with two additional presentations, spending more time on Genesis and including Jonah.

 Course Overview & Attendance

When registering, you have the option of two different types of attendance. In-Person & Hybrid, for those who wish to join us in Maynooth for all five days (or partially in-person and online); and Online Only, which offers a livestream of each presentation via Zoom. Whatever you choose, you will have access to the recordings of each presentation after they take place.

Both options cost €70 which is per individual (for those attending in-person), or per individual, household, or community (for those joining online only).

For All Attendees

• Twelve presentations, six each from Seán and Jessie.
• Access to the course resources online, where you will find the livestream of the course, recordings of each presentation (after they take place), slides, and additional materials.

For In-Person Attendees Only

• Tea, Coffee, and Croissants each morning between the first and second presentations of the day.
• Optional activities each evening, aimed in particular at those staying in Maynooth, but open to all. These activities are informal, may focus more on Scripture in general than the overall theme, and are not recorded or livestreamed.

 

Accessing the Course After Registration

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with all the necessary information on how to access the course resources. This will include direct links to the resources as well as a password which will allow you to access them through our website (www.tarsusscriptureschool.ie). However, since the course will not take place until June, it will be relatively empty at the moment!

If you do not receive an email: Sometimes your confirmation email may go into your email's spam folder. It is best to first check there, but if no email is found, please contact support: help@tarsusscriptureschool.ie

 

First Things First

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