New
November 1, 2011
From the President
The harvest is in and now it is time to see what we have reaped for our yearly planting. In doing so, it is also time to turn towards our next projects. How do you choose where you will focus your time and energy? All those who are involved with Cherry Hill Seminary have made that choice. From the students and teachers to the staff and board members, all take their time and energy in support of this school. Also, there are those who donate to us because they believe in our work.

Thank you each and everyone for all the time and effort you put into making it possible for Cherry Hill Seminary to serve the Pagan community - not only for the yearly gifts and support but also for understanding the longer commitments for building an outstanding seminary. As Cherry Hill Seminary focuses on the needs of the community, so do we as individuals support each other in our own projects. One of the emerging themes of Paganism is the support for larger projects. There is more work towards an unify giving to charities (yes, Pagans have always given but now it seems more visible as a group). Work is being done for caring for older Pagans who have give a life time of engagement for our community. As these projects grow so too are the skills needed. That is one of paths of service for Cherry Hill Seminary - to help you.


Thank you all for supporting Cherry Hill Seminary and supporting each other as the Pagan community grows.

- William Blumberg
The Hypatia Society

Join The Hypatia Society and become a part of the growing Cherry Hill Seminary family. A true passion for learning and service light these virtual halls. As a member of The Hypatia Society, you carry the light of knowledge further and higher.

 

Benefits for joining The Hypatia Society and supporting Cherry Hill Seminary are as follows:

 

$20 Astronomer - Vinyl CHS logo decal 5" square

$45 Mathematician - Enamel CHS pin 3/4" round, plus Astronomer benefits

$95 Philosopher - 10% discount on one Foundations course, plus Mathematician benefits

$150 Teacher - 20% discount on one Foundations course, plus Philosopher benefits

$250 Mystic - Free registration at any CHS one-day event, plus Teacher benefits

$500 Beloved -  Glass Yule commemorative ornament, plus Mystic benefits

$1,000 Divine Guide - Online link as sponsor, plus Beloved benefits

 

 

 

Cherry Hill Seminary gratefully acknowledges the kind permission of artist Max Dashu to reproduce her haunting painting of Hypatia. Click here to order a printed poster of Dashu's painting.

Important Dates

For Students

November 14 - Spring Registration Opens 

December 17 - End Fall Classes

January 9 - End Spring Registration

January 16 - Begin Spring Classes

January 23 - Drop/Add Last Date 

 

For Faculty

December 31 - Fall '11 grades due to office

January 1 - Summer '11 course information due to office 

 

Foundations Courses

November 7 - December 3 - Foundations Fall Three

 

There's still time to register for foundations courses!
Pagan Elders and Ancestors: Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley is often attributed with revitalizing Occultism in the English speaking world and shifting it's focus away from specifically Christian spirituality, laying the groundwork for the mid-20th century Pagan revival. This class provides a brief introduction to the work of Aleister Crowley, providing an overview of his life and work, and emphasizing his writings on magical practice and ritual construction. 


Pagan Elders and Ancestors: Aleister Crowley is taught by Grant Potts, Ph.D., and has no weekly meeting.

Introduction to Druidry
Participants are invited into a discussion of modern Druidry balancing information with personal experience. Through the four weeks, participants will read and reflect on several resources including the websites of a variety of modern Druid groups; mythological stories that are central to Celtic cultures and Druid spirituality; and select writings of modern Druids about their path. Participants will be expected to participate in forum discussions each week after reading the assigned readings for the week and listening to the instructor's prerecorded mini-lecture.

Introduction to Druidry is taught by Robert Patrick, M.Div., Ph.D., and has no weekly meeting. 

Want more information?  Explore our current courses, or
register for this four week foundations course today!
CHS Represented at Austin Pagan Pride Day
One of the best ways you can support Cherry Hill Seminary is to spread the word that we exist and offer quality education.  Recently, Ellen C. Friedman, a member of Cherry Hill Seminary's Board of Directors, set up a booth at Austin's Pagan Pride Day festivities.



If you're interested in promoting CHS at a festival or pagan gathering in your area, please contact us so we can work with you to get a booth set up!
CHS Executive Director Interviewed for CNN
CNN blogger Susanne Gargiulo recently interviewed a number of pagans for a blog post titled "For growing ranks of pagans, October 31 means a lot more than Halloween."  Among those interviewed was Holli Emore, CHS's executive director.  In the article, Holli explained:

"Part of what is scary for conservative religions is that as a pagan, I consider myself part of the divine," says Holli S. Emore, executive director at South Carolina's Cherry Hill Seminary, which has one of the world's first graduate-level programs for pagan ministry. "That means God lives in me, and that is blasphemous to some. To me, it's a big responsibility to do good and act right."

You can read the rest of the article on CNN's website.
CHS Student Interviewed in The Huntsville Times
Cherry Hill Seminary student Carol Kirk was interviewed recently for the Huntsville Times blog about spiritual journeys.  The article is called "Retired combat nurse finds Divine in all Creation" and is written by Kay Campbell.

In the article, Carol explains, "I view the Divine as manifesting in both male and female energies, God and Goddess. To me, the Divine is at once both transcendent and existing outside of the physical Creation, and immanent within Creation. Everything on earth is imbued with the energy of the Divine and thus Creation itself is sacred."

You can read the full article on The Huntsville Times website
CHS Seeks Newsletter Coordinator
Cherry Hill FB imageDuties:
a.  Gathers - edits content for monthly email newsletter, including announcements, articles, links, photos/graphics, basic organizational information, including fundraising messages.
b.  Uploads fresh data file to web-based email site, sets up newsletter using online template, submits for approval by Executive Director or designee, distributes twice a month.
c.  Posts regularly to CHS News blog as appropriate. 
 
Reports to: Executive Director. 

Qualifications:  Ability to work independently and be self-motivated; good knowledge of commonly-used software, internet and basic hardware issues; good understanding of and comfort with use of blog; ability to exercise good judgment about appropriate posts; excellent grammar, spelling, writing skills; good eye for simple design; commitment to excellence and to CHS mission. Must have own high-speed internet connection and computer. CHS student preferred. 

Hours:  10 hrs/wk, flexible time.  (will use timeclock software to log work hours and activities)

Compensation:  Free tuition for one master's-level course per semester, or equivalent in other courses.

Call for Essays - Sociology of Religion Study Group
Fountain penSociology of Religion Study Group has issued a call for papers for the 2012 Peter B. Clarke Memorial Prize. 

"The competition offers postgraduate students an excellent opportunity to work towards an early publication on their thesis topic, or a chance to explore another area of interest. The winner will be announced at the Study Group's Annual Conference which will be held in 2012 at the University of Chester (28th - 30th March 2012) "


Visit their website or contact Giselle Vincett for more information.
 
Logo no words Cherry 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