New
Nov. 16, 2010
From the Executive Director
HolliCherry Hill Seminary faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing the 2011 Student Handbook and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everybody who has been involved in this process, especially Christine Kraemer, Valerie Cole, Maggie Beaumont and Selina Rifkin.  Thank you for all your hard work!

The new handbook will be out any day, so watch for a special announcement.
 
Faculty and Staff Changes
Diane
We regret to announce that Diane Edgecomb no longer serves Cherry Hill Seminary as Department Chair for the Advocacy and Pagan Leadership department. 

Diane says that "It has been a pleasure working with CHS and wish the CHS community the best as it continues to pursue its goals of providing quality, academic, pagan education." 

Her contributions have been immeasurable and we wish her continued success in all her endeavors.
There's still time to purchase the 2010 Yule ornament!

Our Cherry Hill Seminary Yule ornament makes a beautiful addition to any tree, and you're supporting CHS when you purchase one!

Ornaments are $16 - that includes the ornament as well as shipping in the U.S. Visit our website to purchase your Yule ornament
Important Dates

For Students:
Dec. 18, 2010 - End fall classes
Jan. 10, 2011 - End spring registration
Jan. 17, 2011 - Begin spring classes
Jan. 24, 2011 - Add/drop last date
Feb. 17, 2011 - CHS Winter Conference

For Faculty and Staff:
Dec. 31, 2010 - Fall grades due to office
Jan. 1, 2011 - Summer course info. due

Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Cherry Hill courses last?
Foundations courses run for 4 weeks. Three sessions for foundations courses occur during a semester. All other courses run for a 14 week semester.
What are the tuition rates?
As of August, 2010, tuition rates are as follows:
Foundations classes: $95 per unit hour (no more registration fee)
PCE classes: $80 per unit hour.
Master's classes: $145 per credit hour.
Do I have to have a Bachelors Degree to take classes with Cherry Hill?
No, foundations classes are always open to the public and anyone may take a master's level class by emailing the instructor for permission.
Does Cherry Hill Seminary offer any certificate programs?
Yes, we have several certificate offerings available to everyone from coven members and leaders to professionals in the field.  See the new student handbook, about to be released, for the latest information on certificates.
What happens if a class I want to take is full?
On occasion, classes may fill up. If that happens, our master's students are given priority.
Don't Forget To Register For Spring Classes!
Don't forget - registration is open for all of our spring classes, and we have some exciting courses lined up for next semester!  Find out more about the classes or register for class on our website.
 
Pagan Elders and Ancestors: Dion Fortune Taught By Debra Cardell
Sacred Nourishment Taught By Selina Rifkin, M.S.
Pagan Elders and Ancestors: Doreen Valiente Taught By Christine Kraemer, Ph.D.
Introduction to Fundraising Taught By Holli Emore, CFRE
Sacred Egypt, Sacred Science Taught by Rosemary Clark
Why Magickal Thinking Isn't Crazy Taught by York Dobyns, Ph.D.
Introduction to Interfaith Taught by Michelle Mueller, M.Div.
Liturgical Design: Beyond the Wheel of the Year Taught by Michael Walker, M.Div, M.A.
Ethics and Boundaries C5101 Taught by Anne Hill, D.Min.
Liturgical Design: Beyond the Wheel of the Year M5245/N5325 Taught by Michael Walker, M.Div., M.A
Introduction to Pagan Theology C5141 Taught by: Christine Hoff Kraemer, Ph.D.
Goddess Traditions N6435/T6805 Taught by Candace Kant, Ph.D.
History of Alternative Healing in America N6841/T6281 Taught by Sarah Whedon, Ph.D.
Introduction to Interfaith A6310 Taught by Michelle Mueller, M.Div.
Earth Congregations: Nature as Classroom, Sanctuary and Radical Model for Community M6241/N6121 Taught by Chris Highland, M.Div.
A Place to Belong: Homelessness as the Search for Home A6310 Taught by Chris Highland, M.Div.
Stress, Trauma and Self-Care for Pagan Counselors Taught by Valerie Cole, Ph.D., and Tracy Wharton, Ph.D.
Introduction to Pagan Pastoral Counseling P6510 Taught by Valerie Cole, Ph.D. and David Oringderff, Ph.D.
Understanding the Ritual Experience T5380 Taught by Grant Potts, Ph.D. and Jason Winslade, Ph.D.
Research & Writing for Pagan Scholarship T5940 Taught by Grant Potts, Ph.D. and Christine Hoff Kraemer, Ph.D.
An Introduction to the Pagan Pastoral Counseling Department
The mission of the Pagan Pastoral Counseling Department is to educate students in counseling and care giving techniques which integrate Pagan pastoral/spiritual and scientific dimensions. Faculty at CHS are committed to Pagans helping both Pagan clients and others as counselors and clergy. With the Pagan Pastoral Counseling major, a student can work towards a Masters of Divinity degree (72 credit hours) or a Masters in Pagan Pastoral Counseling degree (60 credit hours).
 
The department educates students in counseling and care-giving techniques that integrate Pagan  pastoral, spiritual and scientific dimensions.  We help students explore how they, as Pagans, serve others, as well as how they serve Pagans through the counseling encounter.   We offer the education needed by those who aspire to be leaders with a global outreach in the Pagan pastoral and counseling professions.

The Pagan Pastoral Counseling curriculum is inspired by traditional pastoral counseling programs and flavored with a Pagan emphasis. Typical coursework seen in other counseling programs, such as Counseling Theories and Skills, Psychopathology and Assessment are offered here but the texts and written materials are supplemented with current writings by Pagan authors. Discussions and forums are lively as students wrestle with transferring their knowledge to dilemmas faced by Pagan counselors and clients. The wide variety of current Pagan issues is evident in all of our classes. A diversity of opinions and perspectives is welcomed and encouraged. Faculty in the Pagan Pastoral Counseling Department are academic or clinical professionals who hold terminal degrees in their respective fields.  They bridge the worlds of academia, professional psychology and social work, and Pagan covens, groups and communities.  All of our faculty are committed to their spiritual lives and bring Pagan theological perspectives to their teaching.
Clinicians who already work as helping professionals can work toward a Certificate of Pagan Pastoral Care for Helping Professionals, a 24-unit program that provides the background and knowledge base to work with Pagan clients effectively.  A Certificate in Chaplaincy is also available.  In addition, PPC faculty teach short Foundation courses and courses in the Pagan Community Education department for non-matriculated students.
 
The Pagan Pastoral Counseling Department meets basic educational and professional standards for students who plan to work in various counseling settings.  Professional licensure is granted by the state in which a clinician practices (not by Cherry Hill Seminary).  In many states, minimum qualifications include a master's degree.  Visit  www.counseling.org under "Counselors, Licensure and Certification" for more information about licensing.
Congratulations to Selina Rifkin!
Selina
One of Cherry Hill's M.Div students passed a different kind of test this weekend; Selina Rifkin achieved the rank of Black Belt in the martial art of Hapkido. Although Grand Master of this branch of Hapkido Hosoo Hwang, has been teaching for over 30 years, Selina is the first female to have reached this rank. Hapkido is a Korean martial art related to Japanese Aikido. Both arts use the opponent'smomentum and precise joint manipulation, but Hapkido works in a closer range, and includes kicks and strikes, which traditional Aikido does not. Both arts also incorporate an understanding of the energies of attack and defense.

This is not the only black Belt Selina holds, as she has also studied Kempo for 15 years. There will be a formal ceremony for the presentation of her belt in December.
Healing From A Broken Place Seminar
"Supporting Trauma Survivors Through Collaboration of Ministry and Mental Health Providers"

This conference, the first of its kind in Mid-Michigan, brings survivors of profound trauma, experts on medical diagnosis and mental health providers together with clergy from all walks of religious life. In the tradition of St. Francis Retreat Center, this will be an informal, interactive day. Participants will discuss both challenging and gratifying experiences in ministering to individuals and families affected by traumatic experiences such as murder, assault, and rape. Presentation topics will explore the impact of trauma, compassion fatigue, and PTSD in a culturally competent fashion. Experts will define and explain PTSD and the related consequences of cruelty and catastrophic loss. The use of humor, spirituality and community support will be significant components of the conversation.
 
The conference will be Thursday, January 13, 2011.
For registration details, please call St. Francis Retreat Center at 866-669-8321 To register online, visit the St. Francis Retreat Center website.

 

Mail registration form to:
St. Francis Retreat Center, SPE,
703 East Main Street
Dewitt, MI 48820
ATTN: Registration

Michigan Victim Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the healing and protection of victims of violence, trauma, and abuse.  They are pleased to host this conference, the first of its kind in Mid-Michigan.  Gift From Within will be filming various roundtable discussions and segments for the Gift From Within website.  We are also planning to produce a new DVD on this topic.
Logo no wordsCherry Hill Seminary provides quality higher education and practical training in Pagan ministry.
 
Cherry Hill Seminary is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organized in the state of South Carolina. Web site copyright by Cherry Hill Seminary in 2010, all rights reserved. 
 
Contact us at P.O. Box 5405, Columbia, SC 29250-5405, 888.503.4131or by email