From The Executive Director
Holli Emore
Executive Director

No one knows exactly when Hypatia of Alexandria was born, but it is thought to have been March, and by convention many celebrate March 15 as her birthday.  As she is the Guardian Ancestor of CHS, we have a special love for this real-life heroine.  She was one of the foremost scholars of the entire ancient world, during a time when most women were still traded like livestock by their fathers and husbands.  Three centuries after her murder, Hypatia's writings were still being used to teach geometry and mathematics.

Hypatia
of Alexandria
Most of all, Hypatia stood for a tone of reason and moderation which are still in perennial short supply.  Her Alexandria was a huge, restless cosmopolitan haven for religious and economic refugees, merchants, commerce, and scholars.  That she was caught between men of power - Bishop Cyril and the prefect Orestes - and the violent upheavals which characterized the first centuries of the common era in Alexandria is undisputed.

Today a good friend of mine was arrested for civil disobedience here in Columbia.  I am so proud of him (and his wife, Marilyn, also arrested along with others outside the State House, protesting the defunding of Medicaid by our legislature).  Here I am a feisty old hippy and, miraculously,  I've never been arrested once. But I'm also very humbled that while I stayed home in my warm house working today, Tom and Marilyn stood in the windy cold to advocate for people all over SC, most of whom they will never meet. 

Hypatia was no shrinking violet, either, attending civic meetings and advising magistrates and leaders of the city, as well as leading the Neo-Platonist school of Alexandria.  She is said to have boldly walked the streets; Damasius wrote, "The whole city rightly loved her and worshiped her in a remarkable way. . ."

As we prepare to celebrate Hypatia's birthday here at Cherry Hill Seminary, I encourage everyone who believes in free thinking and education to join The Hypatia Society
Important Dates
 
For Students
Mar 10 Insights Spring 2 classes end
Mar 11 Insights Spring 3 classes begin
Apr 7 Insights Spring 3 classes end
Apr 28 Spring semester ends
May 13 Summer semester begins 
July 10 - 13 Summer Intensive
 
For Faculty
Mar 25 Insights Spring 2 grades due
Apr 22 Insights Spring 3 grades due
May 9 Fall course proposals due to department chair 
 
Support CHS

Help Cherry Hill Seminary promote the development of professionally trained Pagan clergy.  Your donation will help to support current and future Pagan scholars as they pursue studies in ministry.

 
You can also help us by spreading the word about Cherry Hill Seminary.  Visit our website to find ideas for sharing information about CHS with your friends and colleagues.
Celebrate Hypatia's Birthday!

From now until Beltane, Cherry Hill Seminary is celebrating the March 15 birthday of one of the greatest Pagans in history, Hypatia of Alexandria. You can join the fun.
 
One of the easiest ways to support CHS is to join (or rejoin!) The Hypatia Society.  With membership levels ranging from Astronomer (donate and receive a CHS logo decal) to Inner Sanctum (donate and receive two free Pagan Community Education courses for your group, have your group's web link on The Hypatia Society website, and more!), there are many opportunities to support education for Pagan ministry and to receive educational benefits for yourself and/or your group.
 
If you are looking for a fun way to help us meet our fundraising goals, hold your own Agora Movie Night.  Agora was the movie American theaters were afraid to show at the same time that it was the highest-grossing film of 2009 in Spain. It has everything:  sexual tension, historical drama, gorgeous Greco-Egyptian sets, and--surprise!--religious conflict.  At the center of the film is Cherry Hill Seminary's own Guardian Ancestor, Hypatia of Alexander.  Invite your friends to join you for a movie night and dessert with group discussion afterwards. We've bought several DVD copies of Agora which we can loan you, and we've developed a whole kit of materials to make it super-easy for you as the host. You can cap off the evening by inviting your guests to join The Hypatia Society!

 

Still looking for ideas to help us meet our Spring fundraising goals? Visit our website for even more creative ways to ensure that Cherry Hill Seminary continues grow and serve as the leading provider of education and practical training in leadership, ministry, and personal growth in Pagan and Nature-Based spiritualities.

 

Lauren Raine
CHS Artist-in-Residence
Lauren Raine's "Numina"

CHS Artist-in-Residence Lauren Raine has shared a slideshow of her work "Numina: Masks for the Elemental Powers" with the CHS community. 

 

Making a mask can be a way to find a face for what is sensed, elemental, invisible, and sacred. Below are images of Lauren's work; follow this link to view the full slideshow. 

 

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your vision with CHS!