January 1, 2011 Happy New Year to everyone from CHS. Thank you for supporting us as we continue to grow and expand the preeminent center for higher education and practical training in Contemporary Paganism.
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The President's Podium
- William Blumberg
Our calendar year has come to a close but the circles of our lives, nature, and the cosmos continue. Beginnings and endings are often localized events from a particular perspective. One of these perspectives is that of self. I see the world from my perspective and thus add to the diversity of the world...perhaps a world or the worlds may be better terms. So from your own unique view what hopes and dreams do you have? For myself, I have exciting new community projects to work on and as well as my continuing work with Cherry Hill Seminary. So perhaps a small glimpse into what we have for you in 2012 is in order.
Cherry Hill Seminary will continue to have great classes. We will also have two Leadership Institute Conferences. Also new is our Artists' in Residence Program.
I would like to wish all of you a very happy 2012 and beyond.
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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.
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Important Dates
For Students
January 9 - End Spring Registration
January 16 - Begin Spring Classes
January 23 - Drop/Add Last Date
For Faculty
January 1 - Summer '11 course information due to office
Foundations Courses
January 16 - February 11
Foundations 1
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Support CHS in 2012
Cherry Hill Seminary receives a regular year-round stream of inquiries from people around the country and beyond:
Individuals who want to learn and grow in an educational environment in which they can explore their Pagan ideas and practice; Faculty who want to be able to help other Pagans develop and achieve their best; Pagan inmates asking for desperately-needed educational resources; U.S. soldiers who want a Pagan Master of Divinity degree in order to apply as a military chaplain; Community leaders seeking information and assistance about earth-based spirituality.
As our world becomes increasingly global and diverse, Cherry Hill Seminary students have become more valuable than ever, offering an inclusive worldview, one which values individuality, affirms sustainable living, ministers to the whole self, and maintains an ethos of both reason and spiritual nurturing.
In this fast-changing world Pagans and others still need support through life passages, personal crises, illness, and the challenges of growing their own practice communities. Studies show that earth-based spirituality may be the fastest-growing religion in America. Yet the Pagan Census Revisited study shows that most Pagans are now eclectic and practice alone, meaning they may not have a strong spiritual support network. The growing ranks of Cherry Hill Seminary students are prepared to meet these needs.
We can't do it alone. Cherry Hill Seminary needs the support of all who resonate with our mission of providing education for Pagan ministry and studies. As we draw near to the end of our business year, gifts from our friends will help us to meet our budget [link to give] for the year, starting 2012 fresh.
Cherry Hill Seminary is the best of the best, a collaboration of talent from around the world. Be part of the cutting edge in Pagan and earth-based spirituality education.
PS - Yes, Cherry Hill Seminary is a 501c3 charity, so your gifts are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
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CHS Faculty in the Spotlight!
 Christine Hoff Kraemer holds her Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies from Boston University, with a concentration in Religion and Literature. Christine has published a variety of academic articles on religion, literature, and media and recently co-edited a collection of essays on religion and comics (Graven Images: Religion in Comic Booksand Graphic Novels, with A. David Lewis). Her research interests include body theology, religion and sexuality, and Paganism in literature, film, and popular culture, and her current book project is a Pagan theology of touch.  Barbara Davy is the author of Introduction to Pagan Studies (2006) and editor of the three volume collection Paganism: Critical Concepts in Religious Studies (2009). She also has a number of refereed journal and encyclopedia articles on contemporary Paganism, environmental ethics and the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas. She holds a Ph.D. in religion from Concordia University, Montreal.
Dr. Hoff Kraemer and Dr. Barbara Davy will both be teaching the class Nature and Pagan Spirituality: Human/Animal Relationships N6270B this Spring. |
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Spring Semester 2012 Highlight
Class: Nature and Pagan Spirituality: Human/Animal Relationships
Instructors: Christine Kraemer, PhD & Barbara Davy, PhD Class meetings: Tuesdays, 9pm ET
Prerequisites: None, Introduction to Pagan Theology C5141 recommended.
This class is available as a Master's Level course as well as a Pagan Community Education offering.
This course provides students with an opportunity to examine earth-centered spiritual perspectives and scholarship on human/nature relationships. In addition to a broad selection of readings on eco-theology, we will focus in on relationships between humans and animals, as well as on understandings of human beings as animals. Topics may include the commercialization of nature spirituality; sacred sites; differences between pantheistic and animistic theologies; hunting, meat eating, and animal sacrifice; and the role of animal spirits for Native peoples. In conversation with other writers, we will reflect on the role of nature in Pagan spirituality and also contextualize current Pagan writings about nature religion, paying particular attention to the topics of animal spirits and religious practices involving animals. Students will be required to assess the role of nature in their own ministry and that of their particular communities, and to produce critical and constructive writing on nature religion and nature spirituality.
Fulfills the Area I requirement for a course in theology and practice. This class will meet with the PCE course The Sacred Earth: Human/Animal Relationships.
You can register here or find out more about Cherry Hill's 2012 Spring Semester offerings here.
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Dean of Students Opening at CHS
CHS is taking applications for a Dean of Students position. The Cherry Hill Seminary Dean of Students provides support and assistance in all matters involving students. The approximate work time is about 10 hours/week flextime and a terminal degree from an accredited institution is required. Learn more about this job opening here.
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