|
Voices of CHS
 I'd been looking for a Pagan seminary - a real, academically-focused seminary program since about 2005. At the time I thought NeoPagans, in our quest for acceptance as practitioners of valid religions, were doing ourselves a disservice by not pushing to formalize our training in a way that would aid credibility in the eyes of the mainstream public. Too, I wanted to be ordained to increase access for members of my immediate community to legal handfastings and Pagan hospital chaplaincy and other such services for which the government and many institutions demand credentialing. I wasn't satisfied with the go-online-and-pay-five-bucks approach to legal clergy status - I didn't and don't view that as a credible route. And I didn't want to be ordained through a religion not my own. Although Paganism's Cherry Hill Seminary was tempting, very tempting, it did not offer ordination.
I left my first coven family, and with a fellow Wiccan Clergy Association seminary program "graduate" cofounded a second, a nondenominational coven focused on building community. We each worked as well on personal ministries. To my bemusement, Pagans seeking legal handfasting services flocked to him, and troubled folks seeking counseling services found their way to me. I was ill-prepared to safely help those individuals address their needs (the potential for doing harm scared me), and I went looking for appropriate Pagan-focused training.
I rediscovered CHS as it was starting its master's degree program, and felt blessed to be accepted into it in Fall 2009. I'm working toward a Master's of Divinity with a major in Pagan Pastoral Care and Counseling. It's the most difficult and the most stimulating program I've ever attempted. CHS' quest to establish its own credentials within academia means its students are held to standards just as high as in well-established, respected mainstream theology programs. While providing practical information useful immediately in my ministry, CHS also pushes me to push my boundaries - academically, spiritually, personally.
- Mary Crider
|
 |
|
Important Dates
For Students
July 14 - 17, 2011 - Summer Intensive
July 15, 2011 - Fall Registration opens
August 21, 2011 - End Summer Classes
August 26, 2011 - End Fall Registration
For Faculty
September 5 - Summer '11 Grades due to office
Foundations Courses
June 13 - July 9, 2011 - Foundations Summer Two
July 11 - August 6, 2011 - Foundations Summer Three
|
|
There's still time to register for the 2011 Summer Intensive!
|
|
CHS Academic Dean Honored
 Academic Dean Wendy Griffin recently retired her position from California State University Long Beach and honors from the City of Long Beach and the California State Senate during her . She received an official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Long Beach (signed by the mayor) for her "dedication and distinguished service to the community of Long Beach in your role as an activist, educator, and researcher."
Wendy also received a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate in honor of her "dedicated service at California State University Long Beach and your many accomplishments, with appreciation for your commitment to education and to our community."
An aid to the California State Assembly was present and gifted Wendy with a large framed resolution from the CA Assembly and stated that she is "the epitome of teacher professionalism and a positive model of ethics and education for all who have known her" and commending her on her"illustrous record of accomplishments" .. "applauding" her for "inspiration and guidance" and wishing her"all the riches and rewards of an active and productive retirement."
In Wendy's own words: "I was overwhelmed."
Congratulations on the high honor and recognition, Wendy!
|
|
Religion Beyond the Boundaries: Call for Student Submissions
 The American Academy of Religion's Graduate Student Committee invites submissions for the fourth annual AAR Religion Beyond the Boundaries series. This forum allows students to step outside the more formal academic setting of the national meeting and present their work as part of a series of talks for the general public, hosted by a local university. Six 35-minute presentations will be selected for two evenings of public talks during the national meeting, November 19-22, 2011, in San Francisco, California.
Although proposals may be submitted on any topic, the committee especially welcomes proposals on the following themes:
* New religious movements
* new spirituality
* metaphysical religion
* "spiritual but not religious" spirituality
* contemporary religious innovation and change
* Religion/spirituality and healing, health, or medicine
If you are interested, please send a 150 word abstract to GSC member Steven Barrie-Anthony. The deadline for submissions is July 1.
For more information about AAR, please visit their website.
|
|
|
