|
From the Executive Director
 For all the talk about this being "the most wonderful time of the year," there is still another group of stars which shift in the CHS heavens in just a few days. Annually, a new leader steps up to the position of Board President and we honor the person who served in that position for the past year.
Aline O'Brien, better known to most of us as Macha, ends her year of service leading CHS on December 31, remaining on the board for another year as Past President. A co-founder of Reclaiming as well as Covenant of the Goddess, Macha has worked on the front lines for more decades than many of us have been alive. Macha continues to inspire us with her vision of changing culture, year after year, defying the all-too-common burnout so familiar to most volunteers. Her lifetime accumulation of wisdom, wide net of friends and connections, plus her passion for Pagan education, have made her an invaluable ally to Cherry Hill Seminary. Thank you, Macha.
Rising President of the Board of Directors William Blumberg steps into Macha's very large shoes on January 1, 2011. William has distinguished himself for some years, not only in the Pagan world, but through regular community volunteer service in the Southern California area. For the past two years, William has served on the board of the Pagan Studies Conference
held annually at Claremont University. He has been a student at CHS for several years, so he has a unique understanding of the issues facing the Seminary. While serving on the CHS Board of Directors, William has been a been a dedicated, reliable and wise voice. We wish him well in the year to come.
Finally, special thanks to Tony Mierzwicki (CA), who will continue to serve as Secretary, and to Michael Smith (DE), continuing as Treasurer, and to all our other board members who bring their talent and time to the CHS mission -- Gretchen Faulk (UT), Ellen Friedman (TX), Beth Livingston (NC), Michael McDermott (WI), Michael Owens, and Kirk Thomas (OR). |
|
Grant Potts
 On behalf of the board, faculty and administration, we sincerely thank Grant Potts for serving as Chair of the Department of Text, Tradition and Interpretation for the past two years, through the January 1st department merger. Grant has been an invaluable asset to Cherry Hill Seminary, and we wish him well in his future endeavors, including teaching two courses next semester!
|
|
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
|
|
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. Click here to purchase.
You can still purchase the 2010 Yule ornament for shipment by New Year's. |
|
|
Register now for Spring Semester 2011
New learning adventures begin in January, read more: |
|
Foundations 4-Week Courses for Everyone
 Pagan Elders and Ancestors: Dion Fortune Taught By Debra Cardell
The author of such classics as Sea Priestess and Psychic Defense, Fortune was a leading figure within the British esoteric community of the early 20th century, unique for her use of fiction and non-fiction writings to create a magical community (The Society of the Inner Light) and philosophy. Fortune would probably not embrace the idea of being an elder within contemporary Paganism; however, she contributed major concepts to contemporary Paganism. Her overall philosophy was a blend of unorthodox Christianity and earth-centered polytheism and psychotherapy. Trace Fortune's evolving theology, and study her influence on the role of gender within Paganism. Register
 Sacred Nourishment Taught By Selina Rifkin, M.S. What we eat ties us to our planet, our environment and our communities. The industrial food chain distances us from all of these things and plays havoc with our mental and physical well-being. Eating low on the industrial food chain connects us with spirit, creates community, and heals and nourishes both our bodies and the Earth. The industrial foods chain, healthy models of food production, and how these interact with the traditional foods consumed by our ancestors and traditional peoples. Register
 Pagan Elders and Ancestors: Doreen Valiente Taught By Christine Kraemer, Ph.D.The writer behind the widely known Craft liturgy "The Charge of the Goddess" was Gerald Gardner's most influential High Priestess and an important writer in her own right. Valiente has had a deep and lasting impact on Wicca. In this four-week class, we will study Valiente's life and historical context and read excerpts from her books and poetry. Register
 Introduction to Fundraising Taught By Holli Emore, CFRERelationship-based fundraising is the method proven most effective for developing sustainability for your nonprofit or congregation. Learn the basics of creating a fund development plan, identifying prospects, year-round cultivation activities, how to ask for support, and what to do after the gift comes in. Register
 Sacred Egypt, Sacred Science Taught by Rosemary ClarkEgypt had unique geography, art and architectural canons. This class is an overview of the religious foundations and spiritual practices of ancient Egypt, drawn from its language and literature - textual and monumental. Students will learn how ancient Egypt's enigmatic approaches to life, death, and the afterlife were profoundly expressed in these forms and formed the basis of what we know as Sacred Science. Register
 Why Magickal Thinking Isn't Crazy Taught by York Dobyns, Ph.D.Has anyone ever told you that religious ritual - especially magickal ritual - is a foolish, superstitious, or simply useless activity? While there will be some discussion of the purely psychological benefits of ritual, the main focus of the class will be on reviewing high-quality scientific research that addresses topics usually considered supernatural. Much of this research has results more favorable to a spiritual or magickal worldview than is generally acknowledged in popularizations or even the more prominent technical literature. Register |
Full Semester Courses - Certificate and Degree
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.
|
|
CHS Faculty and Staff at Changing Times, Changing Worlds conference
Christine presented on "Preventing Witch Wars: Managing Overlapping Roles in
Pagan Communities" and moderated moderated "Ethical Issues for Pagan Clergy" and "The Role of Pagan Clergy." Rev. Michael Walker was also present and participated in discussions on "Ethical Issues for Pagan Clergy" and "The Role of Pagan Clergy."
Selina presented on "Your Road Map to Heath and Well-Being" and "Just 'cause It Says It's a Shaman, Doesn't Mean It Is One: Shamanic Practice for Personal Growth" and participated in the "Heal Thyself" panel.
|
|
2011 Conference on Current Pagan Studies
 The Seventh Conference on Current Pagan Studies is an interface between the community and the academy, a place to share ideas, knowledge, and dreams. This year the conference focuses on issues surrounding Pagan/Neopagan community. Cost of the conference includes refreshments and lunch on both days. CHS professor Patrick McCollum is a keynote speaker.
|
|
|
