Community Ministry Certificate | Spiritual Direction (SpiDir) Certificate | Writing as a Spiritual Practice Certificate

Community Ministry Certificate

13-month non-professional self-study with assigned faculty mentor

You are doing the hard work of serving your community – now earn your Community Ministry Certificate to fill in learning gaps and receive guidance towards your ministry goals.

13 month-long program introduces: Ethics; Pagan history and theology basics; Creating and leading ritual; Diversity & cultural understanding; Personal spiritual development; Serving people at various life stages; Group leadership; Family dynamics; Addictions; Domestic violence issues; Teaching and presenting; Developing your allies & more.

No live class meetings – all readings, web resource links and written assignments in our online classroom, periodic meetings with an assigned Seminary faculty mentor. With good internet access you can do this from anywhere in the world, any time of the day, 24/7.

No degree required. Monthly online payment of $100. Those who successfully complete the 13-month mentored independent study may apply for ministerial credentials with Sacred Well Congregation.

CMC Reading List

Want More Information?

The Frequently Asked Questions page covers cost, learning format, what to expect and how to get started.

Read the reflections of students who have completed the course to gain more insight.

Ready to get started?

If you know you are ready, go here: Apply to the Community Ministry Certificate Program

Student Testimony:

Spiritual Direction (SpiDir) Certificate

24-month professional certificate, live meetings

Spiritual direction is a process which has been offered within faith traditions as a part of formation for religious professionals and selected lay leaders.

During the last fifteen years training has shifted from small, independent programs to comprehensive programs housed in or affiliated with learning institutions such as Cherry Hill Seminary.

Our program equips students to practice with seekers of a variety of (and no) spiritual identities.

Who should study for the Spiritual Direction Certificate?

This CHS program is an opportunity to deepen and grow as a human, expand and clarify your faith formation, and level up as a spiritual care provider. In short, this program is for persons who:

Have some theological background
Cohort-based virtual community of international learners
Teachers from Pagan, indigenous, Catholic, Sufi, neuro-diverse, gender-diverse (and more) wisdom
Grounded in earth-relating traditions
Focus on building a community of accountability and support.
Celebrating the knowledge you are whole, holy and worthy.

Upon Completion

Participants receive their Spiritual Direction Certificate upon successful fulfillment of the requirements of the 24-month program. Upon completion of the program, participants will be credentialed Spiritual Companions, able to ‘hang out a shingle’ as a qualified and professionally recognized spiritual director/companion. Participants can list themselves on the Spiritual Directors International directory and upon completion of the program, participants with UU affiliation (UUSCM or other) also meet the criteria for becoming a part of the UU Spiritual Direction Network.

SpiDir Reading List

Want More Information on Spiritual Direction?

Please read the following:

Exploring Spiritual Direction: A Journey of Connection and Growth

12 Questions to Ask at the Get-to-Know-You Appointment

Reimagine Your Calling: Find Purpose and Fulfillment with the CHS SpiDir Program

The Long Winter and the Weight of Loss: How Spiritual Companions Can Offer Support

Also, check out the Certificate Programs FAQ to learn more about cost, learning format, and what to expect.

Admissions are rolling (year-round) with new cohorts beginning in the fall or spring when a minimum enrollment is reached.

Ready to get started?

If you know you are ready, go here: Apply to the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program

Writing as a Spiritual Practice Certificate

12-month non-professional, live meetings

Is writing your chosen creative expression? Want to explore how it can also be your spiritual expression?

The Certificate of Writing as a Spiritual Practice is a year of developing your writing in all the ways it is rooted in and reveals itself spiritually: Nature writing, short fiction, poetry and prayer, playwriting for ritual, and writing for children.

Weekly individual meetings with instructor as well as group critique meetings. By the end of the course, each participant will produce at least one piece suitable for publication in a Cherry Hill Seminary Anthology of Spiritual Writing.

Why this Certificate?

As part of Cherry Hill Seminary’s mission to empower spiritual leadership and scholarship, our students’ meaningful written expression is an important tool. Writings developed in the CWSP program–

Support student participation in community events as a ritual leader;
Encourage the articulation of theological thinking;
Enhance personal spiritual practice;
Produce quality reading material for children and/or young adults; and
Create meaningful fiction and non-fiction to benefit the wider reading public.

During your time in the group you will–

Develop a personal devotional practice of spiritual writing.
Develop proficiency in writing in several styles/genres/modalities.
Produce work in several styles/genres/modalities of writing as a spiritual writing practice.
Produce at least one publishable piece per module.
Demonstrate editing and self-editing skills on your own and others’ work.

Tuition

Quarterly tuition: $375 payable at the beginning of that quarter, total for full year $1500
(Note discount if paid in full at beginning of certificate, total cost is $1395)

Program Coordinator

Diane Cacciato holds a B.Ed in English and School Library Science from University of British Columbia and an M.Ed in School Library Science from University of Alberta. She is currently working on a second master’s degree in Theology and Religious History. ADF priest Diane has 33 years of teaching in the public school system in British Columbia, and three years of teaching in private schools and colleges in Japan. Since retiring from the public school system in 2016 she has been teaching group and private writing classes, and facilitating writing groups.

Ready to get started?

If you know you are ready, go here: Apply to the Writing as a Spiritual Practice Certificate Program