Cherry Hill Seminary

Cherry Hill Seminary, located in South Carolina, is an educational institution for Pagan teachers, ministers and clergy. Cherry Hill has more than twenty full-time or part-time faculty. Some, such as M. Macha Nightmare, are well-known in the pagan community; most are published authors/scholars in their field; nearly all are practitioners in the areas they teach. Cherry Hill does not offer introductory-level classes; instead it is designed to assist Pagans already knowledgeable in their chosen path who feel called to take on a leadership/service role in the Pagan community.

Founded in 1997 by Kirk White in Bethel, Vermont, the school relocated its headquarters to Columbia, South Carolina in 2008.

Programs

Instruction is done online, although a minimum of two on-campus residencies are required prior to graduation. Weekend intensives are also periodically offered at other locations^[1]. Classes are advanced, and a bachelor's degree is required for admission. Courses cover the full range of responsibilities expected of a minister or pastor of any faith, including rites of passage, chaplaincy in prisons or military institutions, crafting a wedding, building a pagan community, comparative religion, history of religion, congregation administration, grant writing and fund raising, and other skills and knowledge useful to spiritual group leaders and counselors.

Overview

Cherry Hill Seminary provides higher education and practical training in Pagan ministry. Its Web site states that it is the first and only graduate-level education for Pagan ministry in the world. Cherry Hill Seminary offers online distance-learning classes, regional workshops and intensive retreats.

Cherry Hill's business office is located in Columbia, S.C. The seminary's classes take place online and it accepts English-speaking students from around the world.

History

Cherry Hill Seminary was founded in 1996 by Kirk White. As a result of his involvement with the Wiccan Church of Vermont (now Church of the Sacred Earth), White felt that a seminary that met the needs of Pagan clergy was called for. Originally, White served as President, Academic Dean, Administrative Dean, and almost any other role that was required. Soon after, Cat Chapin-Bishop joined to create the Pagan Pastoral Counseling Department. Judy Harrow, M. Macha NightMare and Laura Wildman-Hanlon were among the first teachers.

The seminary is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the laws of the United States.

Academic Standing

Cherry Hill Seminary has been granted an official exemption from South Carolina requirements for educational institutions^{[citation needed]}, meaning it can legally grant Master of Divinity degrees. Faculty and administrators are actively developing programs to offer M.Div. degrees in Pagan Ministry, Pagan Pastoral Care and Counseling, and Pagan Studies.

In addition, the seminary offers courses under the Pagan Community Education for Lifelong Learning (PCELL) program, which is geared toward those Pagans who do not need or want a formal master's degree.

The seminary is also seeking accreditation from the Distance Education Training Council (DETC), a process which will take several years.

External links

• Cherry Hill Seminary

References

1. ^ "Announcing the Cherry Hill Seminary Winter Intensive 2008 - "Growing a Pagan Nonprofit Organization"". Pantheacon.com. 2008-02-14. Archived from the original on 2008-05-19. http://web.archive.org/web/20080519205955/http://www.pantheacon.com/08/Cherry_Hill_Intensive. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 

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