Lauren Raine, Artist-in-Residence
Happy May Day to all! 

 
Since Beltane (May 1) is a truly auspicious day, I can't resist a bit of his & her story to honor the day. Ah, the rites of Ssring!

Celebrated everywhere with Maypole, flower garlands, May wine and love. The birth of spring on May Day in Elizabethan England would send villagers into the woods to collect flowers and boughs, and then they would wait for the sun to rise as it brought the fully opened year flowering into spring. 

 

A few years back I found myself singing "Lady Godiva", an old song by Peter and Gordon from the 60's. When I find myself with mental "Muzak" (TM)  that just won't go away, I'm kind of forced  to pay attention.

According to legend, Lady Godiva rode naked on a horse through the streets of Coventry, England, to ease the tax burden of the citizens imposed by her husband, who agreed to relieve the toll if she did this. 

Pulling out my Jungian "Inner Pun"  book, I decided that it had something to do with "Lady God", this being what I get from the word. "Godiva" has both "God" and  "Diva or Deva" which means divine, shining.  Words can tell us much about the origins of things. 
 
Read the rest of Lauren's reflections on Beltane by clicking here.

New CHS Resource Page
 
CHS has posted a new page on our website with resources for Pagan scholars and others involved in ministry work in their communities.

 

Topics currently addressed include "Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence," "Child and Elder Abuse and Neglect," "Mental Health," "Suicide," "Substance Abuse," and "Managing Sex Offenders in the Community." 

 

Click here to visit the page now. Updates will be posted as new resources and topics develop.
 

Important Dates
 
For Students
May 13 Summer semester begins (see listings below right) 
May 13 Insights Summer 1 classes begin
May 20 Drop/Add deadline
Jun 9 Insights Summer 1 classes end
Jun 10 Insights Summer 2 classes begin
Jul 7 Insights Summer 2 classes end
Jul 8 Insights Summer 3 classes begin
July 10-13 Summer Intensive

Full calendar

For Faculty
May 9 Fall course proposals due
Jun 24 Insights Summer 1 grades due
Jul 22 Insights Summer 2 grades due
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.
 
Time to Register for Summer Classes
 
Summer classes at Cherry Hill Seminary begin on May 13. We are offering both  Master's-level courses and 4-week Insights courses . Check out these exciting topics!
 
 Understanding Ritual Experience, Instructor: Christina Taylor Beard-Moose, Ph.D.
 
Students in this class are expected to look critically and closely at two major ritual types: Rites of Passage and Rites of Intensification. Through classic readings and new interpretations of rites in varying cultures, we will identify similarities and differences and look at the types of rites that are relied upon around the world. 

 Psychopathology: Creativity, Madness, and Pagan Spirit, Instructor: David L. Oringderff, Ph.D.
 
Psychopathology is explored from a spiritual/Pagan perspective. Students learn diagnosis as it is currently applied and spiritual/Pagan approaches to diagnosis and alternative states of consciousness.
 
 Family Systems/Systems Theory, Instructor: David Oliver Kling, M.Div.
 
Using a Systems Theory model, this course explores how our formal, or informal, chosen or given, families and relationships cast both light and shadow to make a whole icon of being. Students examine the ethics, theology, theory and practice of interactions with individuals, groups and systems.   
 
Introduction to Homiletics: The Art and Craft of Preaching, Instructor: David Oliver Kling, M.Div.
 
An exploration of authentic preaching as a ministry of exhortation, encouragement, teaching and working with energies always present in ritual, we aim to cultivate these ministries and the individual gifts of the preacher. Explore the preparation and delivery of messages in sacred context and the understanding of what it means to speak and proclaim truth from an authentic sense of the community's values that inspires, edifies, and challenges others.  
 
 
Course runs from the week of May 13 to the week of June 9
 
This course will critically examine the broad cultural and spiritual significance of Burning Man-an eclectic, seven-day celebration of art, fire, and community that takes place annually in Nevada's Black Rock desert. We will interrogate the event's dynamic history, culture, communities, traditions, rituals, and values in order to cultivate an expanded and diversified understanding of "religion."    
 
Beyond Bake Sales to Real Fundraising, Instructor: Holli S. Emore
Course runs from the week of June 10 through the week of July 7
 
Learn to understand one of the greatest taboos in western society and in so doing lose your fear of fundraising. Students will have the opportunity to design and get feedback on their own project. The instructor has many years of experience as a nonprofit consultant and former CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive).  
 
Beginner's Guide to Shapeshifting, Instructor: Jessamine Dana, Ph.D.
Course runs from the week of July 8 through the week of August 4
 
Explore this ancient and cross-cultural phenomenon from both anthropological and spiritual perspectives. Students build an understanding of the processes and reasons for different kinds of shapeshifting (its pleasures, perils, and functions), and greater familiarity with how shapeshifting can become a powerful spiritual and personal practice. 
 
Register Now for the Summer Intensive
 

This year's summer intensive is an extraordinary opportunity to explore the creative spirit, myth, and an authentic spiritual life, with an extraordinarily gifted teacher, Robert H. Patrick, the Chair of the CHS Department of Ministry, Advocacy & Leadership.  

 

Several members of our administration will also be attending this intensive, so it's a wonderful time to meet Dean of Students Candace Kant, Academic Dean Wendy Griffin, and department chairs Bob Patrick and David Oringderff, as well as other students.   

 

Rumor has it that we will also be conducting the graduation of our second Master of Divinity!

 

Registration is $230 before May 10 and $265 before June 10. It takes only a non-refundable $100 deposit to lock in your rate, so visit the CHS website and register now!