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Editor's Corner
Have you ever pondered why Cherry Hill Seminary might be a necessary addition to the Pagan Community? Have you wondered at the discourse between academic scholars and lay practitioners and the need to bridge the gap between the two? An article in the recently released issue of the Pomegranate touches on issues of cognitive dissonance amongst Contemporary Pagans in regard to scholarship that challenges currently held beliefs. Dr. Christine Hoff Kraemer also weighs in the dialogue between the academic world and Contemporary Pagan practitioners. The Pagan Studies Scholar is the bridge between these two worlds. I invite you to read my blog post covering these two articles and to discover why Cherry Hill Seminary is so necessary in the development of a healthy Pagan community that is at peace with its mind and its heart.
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CHS Announces New
Artist in Residence.
Cherry Hill Seminary is proud to welcome Annie Finch as Artist-in-Residence of Cherry Hill Seminary. We will be doing a full length feature and interview with Annie in the next newsletter, but if you would like to know a little more about her in the meantime, you can check our her website.
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Student Profile
- Leti Ortiz
My name is Leticia Ortiz, a Captain Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Army. I am originally from Victoria, TX and have a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University as well as a Digital Design Diploma from the Art Institute of Pittsburg.
I have two wonderful parents and a younger sister who is a flute player for the Marine Corps. My sister and I have served in the military for just over 10 years and I have been deployed three times.
I have been studying the Wiccan religion for 10 years having had the chance to begin my studies at the open circle at Fort Bragg, NC. Over the years I have seen the importance of representing my religion in the military and have been volunteering to serve as a Designated Faith Group Leader (DFGL) at the various posts I have served at.
It was while serving as a DFGL in Kuwait that I decided to begin the journey of becoming one of the first Wiccan chaplains of today's military.
Currently I am working on a Master's in Divinity and plan on also earning a degree in counseling in order to fulfill some of the requirements established to become a chaplain.
I look forward to meeting many more of you along with more of the wonderful faculty along my journey. Until that time comes blessed be to you all and good luck in your endeavors what ever they may be.
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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
March 19 - Summer Registration opens
Mar 22-24 - Transforming Our World Conference
April 7 - Foundations 3 classes end
For Faculty
March 24 - Foundations 2 grades due to office by instructors
April 21 - Foundations 3 grades due to office by instructors
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Masks of the Goddess
Lauren Raine has launched a kickstarter project to complete a new collection of Masks of the Goddess, which she sees as "vessels for the archetypal powers."
The project has 10 days to raise $1,200 or it will be ended. If this project interests you or you feel compelled to do so, please consider donating to this fantastic project.
You learn more about Lauren Raine and her past collections of Masks of the Goddess by visiting her website. |
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Registration for Summer 2012 is open!
Class: Indigenous Religions and Cultures T6475/N6125
Start Date: May 21, 2012
Instructor: Grant Potts, Ph.D
Class meetings: None
Description: As Pagan media outlets grow and diversify, it can be confusing to navigate and effectively communicate your goals and values to the very people you hope to serve. In this 4-week course, we will discuss and explore how to engage with Pagan media outlets, what to do, what not to do, and why this sort of outreach matters.
Required Texts:
 Class: Dreams in Spiritual Mentoring M5009/P5009Start Date: May 21, 2012
Instructor: Anne Hill, D. Min.
Class meetings: Wed. 5pm
Description:Dreams have played an important historic role in Pagan traditions as a reliable means of direct communication with the Gods, ancestors, and nature spirits, for healing, prophecy, and intercession. Our use of dreams today is heavily influenced by Jung and other modern thinkers, as well as traditional and shamanic ideas about dreams. The first part of this course highlights some of the ways human cultures have viewed and interpreted their dreams, and used them in a ritual or sacred context. The second part of the class concerns dreams as a modern source of divination and spiritual direction. Using current research, their own dream material, and an interactive class dream group, students will develop a framework for using dreams in spiritual mentoring, and identify approaches to dreams that make the most sense for contemporary Pagans. Students will be expected to participate in regular discussion forums, as well as submit periodic reflective writing.
Required Texts:
- Bulkeley, Kelly. Dreaming in the World's Religions: A Comparative History. NYU Press, 2008.
- Krippner, Stanley, Fariba Bogzaran, and Andre Percia de Carvalho. Extraordinary Dreams and How to Work with Them. SUNY Press, 2002Taylor, Jeremy. The Wisdom of Your Dreams. Tarcher/Penguin, 2009.
- Moss, Robert. Conscious Dreaming. Crown, 1996
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Class: Introduction to Fundraising, Foundations Session 1
Start Date: May 21, 2012
Instructor: Holli S. Emore
Class meetings: 8pm (ET) Mondays.
Description: Philanthropy is a bedrock of American democracy, providing a balance between a purely corporate or a purely socialist state. But not only is it key to our survival, it's a joy to give! Pagan groups and organizations are emerging from half a century or more of conflicted emotions about money, crippling growth or even sustainability. And yet, many potential donors say that they wonder why they are not asked to support the causes they believe in. Fundraising is not about selling things for profit, or harassing people you don't know. It's about building long-term relationships using time-tested and proven-effective strategies. Over the course of the class you will begin to develop your own fundraising plan. Four Monday evening live Skype chats (9PM ET), plus online classroom discussion and light assignments.
Required Texts:
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Agora Movie Night Fundraiser
Join the Hypatia Day Campaign by holding your own Agora Movie Party. CHS is only 1/3rd of the way towards our financial goal, but we still have time to reach that goal and to honor the spirit of Hypatia and higher education.
CHS has provided all of the material you could possible need to host this event, as well as offering a myriad of wonderful prizes to the party hosts who raise the most money. You can find more information or register by clicking here.
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The Association for the Study of Women and Mythology (ASWM) will be holding their National Conference, May 11-12 2012 in San Fransisco, CA. Cherry Hill Seminary's own Macha Nightmare will be an honored guest and speaker at the conference. The ASWM states, "Based on your past and present significant contributions to the development of women's spirituality and goddess studies, we would like to invite you to be part of a special panel we are calling 'California Foremothers of Women's Spirituality: A Gathering of Wise Hearts'."
Congratulations to Macha for her many years of service to the Pagan community. CHS is honored to have such a highly esteemed Pagan leader on staff.
If you like more information on the conference you can check out their website or register.
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Cherry Hill Seminary Blogroll
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A reminder that the first "Transforming Our World" conference is taking place in the upcoming week.
Location: Austin, Texas, March 22-24, 2012
Presenters: Christine H. Kraemer, Ph.D., and Holli S. Emore, CFRE
Location: Interfaith Chapel of Trinity United Methodist Church, 4001 Speedway, Austin, Texas.
Cost: $150, Includes conference registration. Meals on your own, many nearby restaurants, some walking distance.
Learn more or Register here
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