Summer 2018

ChI Immersion Islam

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. Students will explore the sacred texts of Islam, the Qur’an and Hadith, the Five Pillars of the faith, and also consider the cultural and religious dimensions of Islam in health care and community life. Islamophobia and images of Muslims in the media will be topics of discussion in a class this year. Students will also attend Friday Prayers at the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California. In addition to the study of the faith tradition, this module will include social justice education. While focusing on spiritual care, students will explore the elements of prayer and presence, and boundaries and transference.

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.

Dates for this course are tentatively July 17-21, 2019, 9am – 5pm (typically includes 1 evening class).

Relates to SKSM thresholds 5, 2,1; MFC Competencies 3, 4 and 1.

ChI Immersion Protestantism

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. For this module, students will study Protestant Christianity, with classes exploring Christian Vision, Evangelical Christianity, Salvation Theory and Baptism, as well as an overview of Protestant denominations. Also included is a theological focus on Buddha and Christ, and a social justice focus on the history of oppression and resistance. During this module there will also be two experiences of on-site learning, with visits to The Interfaith Peace Project with Fr. Tom Bonacci, and to the First AME (FAME) Church of Oakland.

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.

Dates for this course are tentatively June 20-24, 2018, 9am – 5pm (typically includes 1 evening class).

Relates to SKSM thresholds 1, 4, 6, 8; MFC Competencies 1,2,3,4 and 7.

ChI Immersion Theravadan Buddhism

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Studies Certificate. Theravada is the dominant form of Buddhism in most of southeast Asia-Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It claims about 100 million adherents worldwide, and its doctrines are taken from the Pali Tipitaka or Pali Canon. Basic teachings from this practice will be taught by a Theravada Bhikkuni (Buddhist nun) and other members of the Bay Area Dharma community. This immersion module also includes spiritual site visits and participation in religious services.

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.

Dates for this course are Aug 15-19, 2018, 9am-5pm (typically includes one evening class).

Relates to SKSM thresholds 3, 5, 6; MFC Competencies 1, 3, 4 and 7.

ChI Spiritual Direction I

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate. This module is the first of four quarterly classes in the 2018/19 program. The certificate is designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve as Spiritual Directors in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative program focuses on a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of personal spirituality, and spiritual direction skills….all in a creatively infused context. Each intensive learning module focuses on the development of practical skills and competencies for offering spiritual direction to persons of varying religious beliefs and backgrounds. This immersion in the arts of ministry combines pedagogies of theoretical, practical, and artistic learning.

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.

Relates to SKSM Thresholds 1, 5, 6, 8; MFC Competencies 2, 3.

ChI Spiritual Direction II

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) modules as part of the Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate. This module is the first of four quarterly classes in the 2018/19 program. The certificate is designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve as Spiritual Directors in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative program focuses on a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of personal spirituality, and spiritual direction skills….all in a creatively infused context. Each intensive learning module focuses on the development of practical skills and competencies for offering spiritual direction to persons of varying religious beliefs and backgrounds. This immersion in the arts of ministry combines pedagogies of theoretical, practical, and artistic learning.

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.

Relates to SKSM Thresholds 1, 5, 6, 8; MFC Competencies 2, 3.

Mindful Walk Transylvania

This is an immersion course taking place July 14 to 27 (14 days/13 nights) in central Transylvania. This course is a collaboration between SKSM and the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council. It begins and ends in the city of Cluj (Kolozsvár) and includes 8 days of walking through the beautiful rolling hills and pastoral river valleys among Unitarian villages. During the walk, pilgrims will engage in short didactic sessions on religious history, political and cultural issues facing Unitarians in the region, Transylvanian community life, as well as spiritual practices. In the final days of the trip, students take a bus to Deva (Déva) and climb to a mountain-top fortress to hold a vespers service, where Francis David, the first Bishop of the Unitarian Church was martyred. A trip fee ($1095) includes local transportation, local guides, accommodations, meals, and cultural programs. Additional expenses include air travel and US ground transportation. Some scholarships are available to UU students pursuing ministerial fellowship. Evaluation is based on participation, leadership of spiritual practices or vespers, and a final reflection paper. Pre-trip meetings and information sessions will build community and prepare students for the immersion experience. Not for the casual walker; daily distances will range from 6-17 miles and use trails and roads of varying surfaces. Students must also register with the UU Partner Church Council (visit uupcc.org). US/Canadian citizens need passports but do not need a visa to visit Romania.

Students must interview with the faculty prior.
Relates to SKSM Threshold 4 and MFC Competency 6.
Student must apply by http://uupcc.org/trip/july-2018-mindful-walk-Transylvania.

Unitarian Universalist Polity: General Assembly Immersion

The Polity Intensive Class will happen June 20-24 at the site of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly in Kansas City, MO. Students will discover the mechanics of governance by observing Unitarian Universalist polity in action. We will attend plenary sessions, business mini-assemblies and worship services, as well as meet together as a class to process our observations, learn the history of congregational polity in contrast to other polity paradigms, and thus locate our polity in its theological and cultural contexts. We will also use the case study method to dissect recent actions of the General Assembly, using video from previous General Assemblies. We will evaluate how polity acts as it is translated from the church to a national setting: informed by social justice, our polity can have global impact. The General Assembly this year will allow a new interpretation of Unitarian Universalist polity as a legacy, in regard to its theme, “All are Called,” and radical inclusion. The convention center will be a laboratory for our lived faith as it becomes bylaws: through these reflections we will develop strategies to translate our Principles and Purposes into action, to become more effective religious leaders, as well as resources for our congregations and communities. For Unitarian Universalists, democracy is in the details. Students will be responsible for their own travel, food, lodging, and General Assembly Registration.

Relates to SKSM Thresholds 1, 4 and MFC Comp 6

Intended Audience: MDiv, MA, MASC

Evaluation Method: 1) class participation 2) demonstrated preparation 3) final project or final paper