Spring 2019

ChI Chaplaincy Electives

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. Students enrolling in ChI electives earn credit based on the total number of courses completed in a term. The one elective offered in Spring 2019 is Eco-Ministry. In this 3.5-day course that meets March 14-17, participants will learn ancient and innovative, life-affirming and healing practices for the Earth and the ecosystems on which humans depend. In addition to presentations with subject-area experts, this elective takes students outdoors to learn with the Earth, and to local venues where new and indigenous practices are showing paths forward for society. Art and ritual will constitute daily components of the course, allowing students to integrate course instruction through holistic forms of learning and expression.

ChI electives are only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and are not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. This course does not count toward residency requirements. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 2, 6, and 8; MFC competencies 3 and 4.

ChI Immersion- Ministry Basics 1

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. In Ministry Basics 1, areas of focus in classes include: Types of Ministries defined (prison; corporate; military; university; community; congregational/ceremonial), an Introduction to Expressive Arts in Ministry, Spiritual Interventions & Blessings, Witnessing Depression, Suicide and Dark Night of the Soul and an Introduction to the Professional Field of Spiritual Care. The ChI curriculum incorporates lecture, dyad/small group work, various art modalities, and site visits to deepen our many ways of learning and integrating new awareness.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. This course does not count toward residency requirements. Meets Mar. 13-15 + additional online coursework. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 1, 5, and 8; MFC competencies 2 and 3.

ChI Ministry Basics 2

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate.In Ministry Basics 2, areas of focus in classes include: Guided Imagery and Blessings, Spiritual Assessment, Genograms/Family Systems/Grief Ritual, Public Speaking, and The Ministry of Prayer and Presence. The ChI curriculum incorporates lecture, dyad/small group work, various art modalities, and site visits to deepen our many ways of learning and integrating new awareness.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. This course does not count toward residency requirements. Meets May 15-18 + additional online coursework. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 1, 5, and 8; MFC competencies 2 and 3.

ChI Spiritual Traditions 1

Global Spiritual Traditions 1: for joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. The first of a two-part series that introduces students to ChI’s core philosophy and learning approach as well as an introduction to World Religions and/or spiritual paths that have their origins in earth-centered, indigenous practice (Africa, Pagan, First Nation and other indigenous worldviews), as well as ancient Eastern philosophy and belief systems (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism). While engaging with the world’s knowledge, beliefs, traditions, scriptures, and practices, the ChI curriculum incorporates lecture, dyad/small group work, various art modalities, and site visits to deepen our many ways of learning and integrating new awareness.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. This course does not count toward residency requirements. Meets Feb. 19-23 + additional online coursework. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 1, 2, and 6; MFC competency 3.

ChI Spiritual Traditions 2

Global Spiritual Traditions 2: for joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. The second of a 2-part series that introduces students to ChI’s core philosophy and learning approach as well as an introduction to World Religions and/or spiritual paths that have their origins in the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity). While engaging with the world’s knowledge, beliefs, traditions, scriptures, and practices, the ChI curriculum incorporates lecture, dyad/small group work, various art modalities, and site visits to deepen our many ways of learning and integrating new awareness.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. This course does not count toward residency requirements. Meets Apr. 23-27 + additional online coursework. Relevant for SKSM threshold1, 3, and 6; MFC competency 3.

ChI Theological Literacy

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. Theology literally means “words about the Divine.” In Theological Literacy, students will explore the concepts that attempt to describe the Divine, as well as how we understand the universe and ourselves in relation to the Divine. Our approach to ministry is always directed by our theology. In this course, students will receive an interfaith orientation to theological concepts across the World Religions, to better discern, define and describe one’s own understanding of theological questions related to morality and end-of-life speculation. The ChI curriculum incorporates lecture, dyad/small group work, various art modalities, and site visits to deepen our many ways of learning and integrating new awareness.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. This course does not count toward residency requirements. Meets May 13-15 + additional online coursework. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 1 and 6, MFC competency 3.

Ministry in Times of Disaster

In times of communal crisis, people of faith are called to minister throughout the life cycle of a disaster. In addition to offering spiritual first aid and disaster response, faith communities are joining with grassroots organizations to advocate for a “just recovery” that is more equitable, resilient and sustainable. Whether communities suffer from hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, police violence, civil uprisings or mass shootings, entrenched systems of oppression and power impact who is harmed and how severely, as well as whose lives, visions, and values are centered during recovery and rebuilding. This class combines two three-day weekend intensives at SKSM along with asynchronous on-line study and reflection. Students will receive the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Crisis Response Team Training during the first weekend intensive. The second weekend includes a local field trip to learn from communities recovering from wildfire disaster in this era of climate disruption. On-line study will include readings, video, audio, worship resources and an opportunity to interview clergy whose ministry was impacted by a disaster.

Relates to SKSM Thresholds 2 & 5 and MFC Competencies 2, 4 & 7.

Evaluation will be based on familiarity with assigned reading, class participation, role play scenarios and written work.

Schedule:
1) Orientation Zoom call for the whole class, February 7th, 5:30-7:00PM Pacific Time. https://zoom.us/j/8103527466
2) Intensives at SKSM: March 29-31 and April 26-28
Fridays: 10am – 6pm;
Saturdays: 9am – 5pm (Field trip may impact ending time on April 27)
Sundays: 9am – 5pm.
3) Asynchronous on-line work

Prerequisites: Educating to Counter Oppressions (or equivalent with faculty permission).
Registration: Class is open to students on any degree track. A limited number of community auditors may register with faculty permission.

NOVA Crisis Response Training

The NOVA Crisis Response Team training provides caregivers with techniques to deliver critical education and emotional first aid to victims, survivors and community members in the event of a mass-casualty or natural disaster. Topics covered include: Trauma related crisis reactions; coordinating a community response team; crisis intervention for individuals and groups; death, loss and grief; spiritual dimensions; stress of caregivers and special issues of age faced by children and the elderly.

During this 1.5 unit weekend intensive, students will be trained alongside students in the 3 unit Ministry in Times of Disaster course (PSRS 2300), and will locate the role of religious leadership during the life cycle of a disaster.

Schedule:
1) Orientation Zoom call for the whole class, February 7th, 5:30-7:00PM Pacific Time.
2) Asynchronous on-line work
3) Weekend Intensive at SKSM: March 29-31, 2019
Friday: 10am – 6pm;
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm.

Evaluation will be based on familiarity with assigned reading, class participation, role play scenarios and brief reflection paper.

Relates to SKSM Thresholds 2 & 5 and MFC Competency 2

Class is open to students on any degree track. A limited number of community auditors may register with faculty permission.
Prerequisite: Educating to Counter Oppressions (ECO Core Intensive) or equivalent with faculty permission.

Rites of Passage: Letting Go

Whether it takes the form of death, separation/divorce, a frightening medical diagnosis, or even the loss of a pregnancy, loss is a normal part of the human experience – but it can be challenging to surrender to the grieving process, to make sense of our loss within our religious/spiritual framework, and to trust that the unknown territory of mourning might carry us toward new meaning. This weekend intensive course will focus on crafting and leading rites of passage that give outward expression to the breadth of human loss. Most of the course will focus on memorial services, where we’ll divide our work between the content of these services – their theology, language, and liturgical components – and the pastoral responsibilities and hazards that might arise. A portion of this course will be spent exploring other significant or painful endings, rarely addressed by traditional rites of passage, to ask how communities of faith might respond to the pastoral needs and opportunities entailed therein.

Students may take both or one of the Rites of Passage intensive weekend courses.

This course relates to SKSM Thresholds 1, 5, 8 and MFC Comps 1 & 2.

This course is high-residence hybrid.

Format: Evaluation method: reflection papers and written project

Intended Audience: MDiv, MA/MTS, DMin

Rites of Passage: New Beginnings

New beginnings – like marriage of the birth/adoption of a child – are joyful, but they can also demand the navigation of complicated family dynamics. The wise religious/spiritual leader is prepared to celebrate these occasions reverently and responsibly. Most of this weekend intensive course will focus on weddings, which require that clergy/officiants wield several separate but interrelated skill sets: ministry as relationship-building (often with an unchurched couple); attention to the theology, language, and liturgical flow that provide ceremonies with depth and meaning; and the “ad-ministry” of attention to details that, if held carefully, will lead to a seamless rehearsal and ceremony. We’ll spend time on best practices, the importance of contracts, and creating savvy boundaries. A portion of the weekend will address ceremonies that celebrate the arrival of children into families – whether through birth of adoption. Students will also have the opportunity to explore rites of passage celebrating other forms of “new beginnings.”

Students may take both or one of the Rites of Passage intensive weekend courses.

This course relates to SKSM Thresholds 1, 5, 8 and MFC Comps 1 & 2.

This course is hybrid.

Evaluation Method: reflection papers and role play scenarios.

Intended Audience: MDiv, MA/MTS, DMin