Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
July 2015
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Trace Haythorn, Executive Dir/CEO


Clark Goss Pearson, Assistant Editor 


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My Prayer

By David C. Johnson, ACPE President

David Johnson 2x3 

As a son of the deep south birthed into the segregated culture of bathrooms, water fountains and restaurants. Awakened by the marches, speeches and actions of King, Young, and Ali. Disturbed by the passions and pain of my seminary classmates who were part of the "Church of the Black Experience" at Garrett Theological Seminary. Stirred by my ACPE colleagues from REM and the LBGTQ communities. I find my heart breaks that we discover ourselves mourning another shooting in an African-American community. Though it is shocking that this shooting took place in a church. It is no less shocking than anytime one is shot due to racism and the color of his or her skin. This is my prayer.

 

Holy God,

 

Our lives have once again been touched by unnecessary violence. Violence that is a product of hate and ill will. Violence that is predicated on the myth of one being less than another. Violence that is based on mistrust. Violence propagated by those who deny their own lack of self-worth. Violence by those who need to control others. Violence that is grounded in the fear of scarcity. Violence that is eating the very soul of our being.

 

We ask ourselves: When will it stop? Why does it happen? What can we do?

 

Give us courage. Give us courage to say that it is time to end the violence. Give us courage to say it is time to put away the symbols of hate, the weapons that kill, and the actions that suppress. Give us courage to not only say that we are equal in your sight but to live as if we believe we are all your children who are loved equally. Give us courage to put away our fears of others who are different. Give us the courage to stand for love and not hate even in the face of intimidation.

 

Amen

Funding for Innovative CPE Projects

ACPE is now accepting proposals for funding innovative CPE projects. Funding is currently limited to a percentage of the funds raised by the ACPE Sowing Seeds for Our Holy Work Annual Campaign. The total amount available for funding 2015 projects is $29,560. Guidelines for projects may be accessed by clicking HERE.


 

Please submit a complete application and proposal (5 page maximum) in PDF format via email to Jasmine T. Okafor by August 7, 2015.


 

Please include the following information in your proposal materials:

  1. A completed application form with two signatures, one of the principal officer of the governing board, and one of the person who will administer the program/project.
  2. A concise description of the program/purpose for which the grant would be used.
  3. A definite plan and timetable for beginning and completing (if applicable) the program/project.
  4. A fully-allocated, itemized budget of expenses and revenue related to the total cost of the project.  

If a proposal does not meet the funding criteria (see Guidelines), the applicant will be notified immediately. Eligible applicants may be asked for additional information that will be due September 11.


 

At its November 2015 meeting, the Foundation Board will approve funding based on the Program Award Committee recommendations. Award recipient(s) will be notified no later than December 1, 2015, and funds will be disbursed in the first quarter of 2016.

Staying Connected

By Ute Schmidt, 2015 Annual Campaign Chair

Ute Schmidt

 

As I write this monthly piece for the ACPE newsletter, my heart goes out to the religious communities, our chaplain colleagues and everyone grieving the tragic shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. Chaplains are supporting all those hurting from the recent horrific act of violence at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church. During these times it is even more important to stay connected with each other, with our spiritual care partners in our communities, and with our cognate organizations to remind one another of our holy work to attend to the suffering and to participate in the healing of a broken world. Last month at the conference in Atlanta, we renewed our connections, and we began new relationships. It is my hope that our connections sustain us in the midst of darkness and chaos, and invite us to share the power of collegial connections with our students.

 

Today I am reminded of our association's efforts to expand our method of spiritual education to new and even more challenging settings in need of healing and wholeness. Many of you have supported our holy work through generous gifts to our Annual Campaign. This year, 100 people have given over $21,000 to ensure that ACPE is able to create and sustain innovative CPE programs that speak life to this world. If you have not done so already, I invite you to participate in our Annual Campaign honoring the holy work of ACPE. By doing so, you are investing in a generation of spiritual caregivers, able and willing to respond to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

 

Donate Today!
Theory Paper Readers Needed
We want you!

By Osofo Atta, Certification Chair

 

Theory papers are an integral part of the Supervisory process. ACPE depends on volunteers (like you) to read and evaluate theory papers to nurture our next generation. Please take a moment to become familiar with the guidelines for readers on the certification webpage. Contact your Regional Certification Chair to volunteer today!

ICPCC 2015
San Francisco

This fall there is a rare opportunity to learn with and from our international spiritual care colleagues. For only the second time in its history, the International Congress will meet in the USA. The International Congress is comprised of national spiritual care, counseling and education associations as well as educators and practitioners from around the globe. It works to bring together diverse religious traditions, styles of spiritual care practice and cultural understandings that broaden the thinking and work of spiritual care workers everywhere. Read more....

 

Registration is Now OpenEarly Bird Special has been extended to July 1, 2015!

Student Unit Database

databaseclipart Over the past few months, the national office has been diligently working to update and upgrade our database with a focus on user-friendliness for our members and prospective CPE students. As part of this project, we have also been working on a major overhaul of the Student Unit Database. We are excited to share that we are getting closer to unveiling a new, and drastically improved, means of registering and tracking student units!


The current Student Unit Database launched in 2007 which allowed users to enter units online for the first time. Although only eight years ago, technology has developed and improved dramatically. Over the past year and a half, ACPE has invested in a robust association management software which also hosts our website and will soon house our Student Unit Database.

 

Read entire article

Organizational Design Work Group
This article was also sent out as a News You Can Use on June 23rd
By David E. Carl, Organizational Design Work Group Chair

 

org-design-graphic ACPE celebrates 50 years as an organization this year. It is a time for both reflection and for envisioning the future. We reflect on the history. We also recognize and honor the visionaries who have brought ACPE this far.

 

Now it is our turn to advance ACPE. Author and speaker Nido Qubein is speaking to us when he says:

 

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."

 

Read entire article

 

Also, review the survey results from earlier this year. 

Tell Us Why It Matters
talking-points

When you complete your summer units, we would love to hear from students about their CPE experiences. What will stay with you? What is one important memory, story or encounter that will continue to shape your sense of vocation? Let us know! Send up to 500 words to John Roch. We will post the stories in our "members only" section of our website. We also hope to share portions of stories in our efforts to build the association. Please submit all stories by September 20. 

 

If you're a student, a candidate or an SES, we would love to hear from you! If you're a supervisor, please invite your students to share their experience!

Announcements / Educational Opportunities
July 2015 Holy Days

Integrative Chaplain Certificate Course

2015 Summer Institute on Grief and Loss

2016 Circle of Life Awards: Celebrating Innovation in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

2016 Conference on Medicine and Religion - Call for Abstracts

International Congress on Pastoral Care and Counseling

Teaching Health Care Providers to Provide Spiritual Care: A Pilot Study


Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) Education

National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) Webinars