The Spiritualists' Lyceum Union Education Schemes

EDUCATION CHAIRMAN Minister Nora M Stringer

Course Organiser & Coordinator Minister Nora Shaw

The SLU Education Project Scheme

This scheme was introduced to cater for children up to age 16. It covers the subjects outlined in the former Six Section Training Scheme – Social – Physical - Mental – Moral – Psychical and Spiritual. The Projects are set in the Junior Banner, and are structured to suit age groups up to six – six to twelve and twelve to sixteen. They are administered and marked by the Lyceum Conductors in liaison with the SLU Education Committee.

The SLU Education Foundation Course

This Course is designed to encourage Lyceumists of all ages in particular from 16 years upwards to investigate and thereby understand the foundations of Spiritualism and Lyceumism. The introduction to study will help those who choose to go forward with the SNU Education Scheme – basic and advanced courses.

The Pioneers are the cornerstone of our Religion and Philosophy and this course can assist modern Pioneers to move forward with similar commitment boosted by knowledge and understanding.

There are seven main headings in the coursework: Religion, History, Philosophy, Phenomena, Healing, Art & Creativity and Presentation. It is based on the Infinite Possibilities Book and the Lyceum Manual.

Recommended Reading:  L1 Course-notes, Alfred Kitson’s Autobiography

Required Reading:  Infinite Possibilities
Method of Study: a Student can either study via email or with a postal Tutor – with the latter you will enclose self addressed and stamped envelope for the return of your work.

A brief history of the BSLU and SLU Education Schemes

The Lyceum Education Scheme was first set up in 1910 at Sheffield. Ernest Vickers devised a system of Education that became the foundation for all of the following systems. The British Spiritualists Lyceum Union operated a National Scheme linked to the National Spiritualist College from 1926 - 1938.

In 1948 the BSLU became part of the SNU and as the Spiritualists Lyceum Union, it is the oldest branch of the SNU. In 1976 a joint SNU / SLU Scheme was adopted, the Lyceum taking on the responsibility for the education of children up to 16. Two sections on Lyceum History, aims and methods, were included in the SNU SD3 course.

Junior grade examinations were phased out in 1984 when the Awareness Scheme was introduced.  The Lyceum course L1, was introduced into the SNU Education Syllabus in 1991.

The Lyceum Education Scheme introduced in 1994 was a structured system of study aimed at beginners of all ages. Subjects covered under the appropriate headings: Religion; Philosophy; Science and Art. This system was intended to prepare those Adults who had not studied for several years for the more intensive study required by the SNU education courses. Ideally suited to children too, it complemented the social and practical elements enjoyed in the Awareness Scheme.