A Cherry Hill Seminary Salute 
To The Stars Behind the Scenes
 

 
Left to Right, top to bottom,Selina Rifkin, Executive Assistant to the Director, Wendy Griffin, Academic Dean, Candace Kant, Dean of Students, Holli Emore, Executive Director, Christine Grewcock, Library Specialist, Scott Mohnkern, Tech Advisor.

Without the personal sacrifices of our Administration Staff, Cherry Hill Seminary would only be a dream. Here at year's end, we offer a rousing salute to the Seminary Administration, who recently shared a few reflections with us.

How long have you been working for CHS?
Selina: Since early 2007.
Wendy: Since January 2010.
Candace: Since 2011.
Holli: Since January 2007.
Christine: Since May 2013.
Scott: Longer than I can remember.

Why in the world do you do it?
Selina: I believe that Pagans deserve to have as much access to skilled clergy as any other religion, and that Pagan clergy should have access to any education they desire. CHS provides a setting where clergy can get the same quality of education as a standard seminary, but with the depth of theological reflection one can only find in shared religion.
Wendy: The timing was perfect for my life. I am able to use professional skills developed over my career to help develop something I believe in.
Candace: CHS offers academically rigorous and respected education for Pagans in leadership positions, and is the only institution that does so.  I am honored to be a part of it.  Since academia was my career, this is a natural fit for me.  And, I get to meet and work with the most amazing people - students, faculty, staff!!
Holli: I really love CHS. I feel this is the best kept secret in the Pagan world.
Christine: After attending the Sacred Lands and Spiritual Landscapes symposium, I was inspired to voluntter to share my librarian skills with the wonderful folks at Cherry Hill. Since then I have stayed because of the great people I have met and because I believe in the mission of Cherry Hill Seminary.
Scott: This fulfills part of the obligation I feel to my Pagan community.


What's your favorite story of an experience with CHS?
Selina: I was so proud to take part in the first CHS symposium! This was a historic moment when Pagans teamed up with a major university to present academic papers. I got to meet an exhausted Ronald Hutton after he crossed an ocean to be our speaker. He ate three servings of Holli's soup and was adorable, and oh-so-charming. Then he got up in front of his audience and OWNED the stage with a commanding presence, so different from his off-stage persona that my mouth was hanging open. He gave a riveting talk on the history of witch persecutions in Europe that was completely different from common views on the subject. I feel so fortunate to have met him!
Wendy: I keep on learning new things and challenging myself. (I also really like the experience of getting together with other CHSers- the intensive, the Parliament)
Candace: I like to tell people about our intensive in Butler Missouri, and about our seminar in Columbia, SC. 
Holli: One of my very first classes started just after Katrina hit and my husband was in Baton Rouge, then New Orleans with the Red Cross. Fellow class-members helped get a truckload of antibiotics into NOLA when they were completely unable to get through the phone lines to anyone else.
Christine: I enjoy the staff meetings. :-) I like being able to see and talk with other people in real time.
Scott: Having a class with students on three continents at once.

What do you tell others about CHS?
Selina: CHS offers a unique access to Pagan academics, and teachers who have long served their communities. Every class I've taken has been of use to me in my practice and in how I serve my community.
Wendy: As much as I can!
Candace: I tell them about the interesting and fulfilling classes and about the opportunity to work with and learn from individuals who have established reputations within the Pagan community. 
Holli: I tell them not to miss the chance to make friends and connections with the greatest bunch of Pagans, from all over the world.
Christine: That it offers a great opportunity for quality classes.
Scott: I tell them if they are looking for classes on Pagan Leadership, Cherry Hill has several good options available. to them.  
And We Salute Our Outstanding Faculty!

James Acken
Chandra Alexandre
Inanna Arthen
Ruth Barrett
Christina Beard-Moose
Ali Beyer
Jennifer Bennett
Jenny Blain
Keith Cates
Rosemary Clark
Valerie Cole
Vivianne Crowley
Jessamine Dana
Barb Davy
York Dobyns
Holli Emore
Angela Farmer
Michelle Gilbert
Heather Greene
Wendy Griffin
Chris Highland
Anne HIll
Leta Houle
Francesca Howell
Lynne Hume
Candace Kant
David Kling
Christine Kraemer
Patrick McCollum
Valentine McKay-Riddell
Scott Mohnkern
Michelle Mueller
Brendan Myers
Aline O'Brien
David Oringderff
Ava Park
Robert Patrick
Jo Pearson
Jason Pitzl-Waters
Katharyn Privett-Duren
Selina Rifkin
Kristin Rivers
Deirdre Sommerlad-Rogers
Nickie Stipe
Katrina Vaillancourt
Tracy Wharton
Sarah Whedon
Jason Winslade
Margo Wolfe
Michael York

And a special hats-off to our Board of Directors:

Jeffrey Albaugh
Dana Doerksen
Robin Rose Murphy
Jean Pagano
Gwendolyn Reece
Marla Roberson
Michael Smith
Kirk Thomas

and Board of Advisors:

Ronald Hutton
Sabina Magliocco
Michael McDermott
Barbara McGraw
Aline O'Brien
Michael Owen
Michael York


 

 
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Cherry Hill Seminary: Education for Leadership, Ministry & Personal Growth