CHS Announces Release of Pagan Life Academy for Incarcerated Pagans

For Immediate Release:  October 15, 2013

Contact: Holli Emore, 888-503-4131, CHS@cherryhillseminary.org

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cherry Hill Seminary has just released its new Pagan Life Academy, a series of eight low-cost print lessons for incarcerated Pagans.

The Pagan Life Academy series is pan-Pagan, presenting values, ethics, stories and ritual elements that are common to various Pagan traditions.  Each lesson uses elements common to nearly all modern Paganisms:  holidays, the calling of directions, ritual practice, and mythology.  Because inmates are incarcerated most often because they have made poor choices, our writer chose eight character traits, or virtues, and re-wrote stories from ancient cultures to emphasize these virtues.  The ritual actions are based on the stories and include a commitment to continuing the development of a given virtue.  Pagan Life Academy lessons are suitable for solitary practitioners, or for groups, and for use by volunteers and chaplains in prison systems.

“As America’s prisons become increasingly crowded they more nearly reflect the changing religious demographics of our country, which include growing numbers of Pagans, and SBNRs (‘spiritual but not religious’).  The prison experience can be a cauldron of transformation for many;  Pagan Life Academy is Cherry Hill Seminary’s offering to our incarcerated Pagans and those who serve them,” said Executive Director Holli Emore.

The following lessons may be ordered online at https://staging.cherryhillseminary.org/students/degree-programs/pagan-life-academy-incarcerated-pagans/, or by sending a check or money order to Cherry Hill Seminary, P.O. Box 5405, Columbia, SC 29250.

 

Lesson	Item Cost
Samhain, Winter Nights, Halloween – October 31Persephone and the Pomegranate; truthfulness and integrity	$5
Yule, Midwinter, Winter Solstice – December 21 or 22The Devotion of Isis to Osiris; devotion and loyalty	$5
Imbolc, Disting, Candlemas – February 1The Commitment of Mulan; commitment and following through	$5
Ostara, Summer Finding, Spring Equinox – March 20 or 21The Land Spirits and the Maple Syrup; substance abuse, meaningful work, goal-setting	$5
Beltane, Mayday – May 1The Binding of Fenris; courage, sacrifice, responsibility	$5
Litha, Midsummer, Summer Solstice – June 21 or 22The Children of Hercules are Offered Compassion; empathy and compassion	$5
Lammas, Lughnasadh, Freyfraxi – August 1The Generosity of Baucis and Philemon; generosity and helping	$5
Mabon, Harvest, Fall Equinox – September 22 or 23Fionn and the Song of Fairie; self-control, risk, endurance, and honor	$5
Welcome and IntroductionYou will need one of these to go with the lessons – ritual instructions, how to use the stories and discussion guides, individual roles, altar setup, directions, correspondences	$3

For more information, visit Cherry Hill Seminary online (https://staging.cherryhillseminary.org/students/degree-programs/pagan-life-academy-incarcerated-pagans/).

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cherry Hill Seminary is saddened to learn of the passing of noted scholar, author and women’s spirituality movement leader Patricia Monaghan.

Academic Dean Wendy Griffin said, “We mourn the loss of poet, visionary, and rigorous scholar Patricia Monaghan, PhD, whose contributions to those who venerate the Goddess cannot be overstated, from her early work in helping to develop Women’s Spirituality, through to her founding of the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology.  With an Irish heart and a Pagan soul, Dr. Monaghan found the mythic in the mundane and took joy in the exploration.  We are deeply grateful for the books and poems she shared with us.  ‘So many stories…each worthy of telling.’ (Seasons of the Witch, Monaghan, 2007)”

Dean of Students Candace Kant reflected on her recent work with Monaghan:  “It was from Patricia Monaghan’s many books that I discovered the breadth and depth of Goddess.  I was very honored to be able to meet her and spend a few days with her and her devoted husband Michael in Black Earth, Wisconsin, which they so loved.  Working with Patricia and Michael on the Brigid Anthology this past year was a pleasure, and I know it was a labor of love for them.  I am deeply saddened by her loss, but am thankful for the legacy of scholarship and love for Goddess that she left with us.”

“She believed in my writing and what I had to say,” said Aline O’Brien, a Cherry Hill Seminary director and longtime instructor.  “Patricia opened doors for me, giving me unique opportunities to contribute to the Pagan literature and dialog.  She was supportive of Cherry Hill Seminary from our early days, allowing us to feature her as a guest lecturer in our 2006 Second Sunday online lecture series.  Both of us being Irish-American, we shared a love of Irish culture.”

In honor of Monaghan’s immeasurable contributions to scholarship Cherry Hill Seminary will name a scholarship in her memory, the Patricia Monaghan Scholarship.

Monaghan’s husband, Dr. Michael McDermott, has served on the Board of Directors of Cherry Hill Seminary since 2007.  We extend our sincere condolences on the loss of his beloved Patricia whose joy in living will be missed by all.

Cherry Hill Seminary is the leading provider of education and practical training in leadership, ministry, and personal growth in Pagan and Nature-Based spiritualities.

For further information contact Cherry Hill Seminary at 888-503-4131 or CHS@cherryhilllseminary.org

COLUMBIA, SC — Cherry Hill Seminary is pleased to announce two new academic appointments. Valentine McKay-Riddell, Ph.D., is the new chair of Pagan Community Education, and David Oringderff, Ph.D., is the new chair of the Department of Pagan Pastoral Counseling.

A long-time professor for the department, Oringderff is well known for his role in the founding of Sacred Well Congregation, as well as many years of advocacy on behalf of Pagans in the U.S. Armed Forces. Oringderff is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University, and holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University (Maryland) and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Union Institute School of Professional Psychology in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor. He is currently a consultant and trainer in forensic and organizational psychology, and psycho-diagnostics. A veteran of over twenty-seven years in military and civilian law enforcement and intelligence work, Oringderff is a Subject Matter Expert consultant to the Department of Defense Armed Forces Chaplains Board on Alternative Religions, Sects and Cults. He has appeared on ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, NBC Dateline, VRT Television (Belgium), ZDF Television (Germany), and in national and international printed media, including Time Magazine, Texas Monthly and US News and World Report. Oringderff holds a Texas Peace Officer license with Master Certification, a Police Instructor license, a Forensic and Investigative Hypnotist license and serves as a Deputy Sheriff (Reserve) in Comal County.

“We are fortunate to be able to welcome Dr. Oringderff to this new role,” said Wendy Griffin, Ph.D., Academic Dean for Cherry Hill Seminary. “His combination of broad life experience and professional background are what our students need as they prepare to serve in the real world. As more and more individuals serving in the military turn to Cherry Hill Seminary for training for ministry, Dr. Oringderff’s extensive network will be a tremendous asset.” The outgoing chair, Valerie Cole, Ph.D., also expressed confidence in Oringderff’s abilities to lead the department. “David and I have worked closely together now for a number of years as faculty; I’m pleased to be able to pass the baton on to such a capable colleague. Cole ably stepped into the position when Judy Harrow, Chair Emeritus, found it necessary to resign for health reasons. During her time as chair, Cole has been responsible for important developments in the department, where she will remain as a professor.

The second new appointment is that of Valentine McKay-Riddell, Ph.D., as Chair of Pagan Community Education (PCE). McKay-Riddell is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute and a member of the adjunct faculty at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA, where she earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology. She has a private practice in shamanic healing and wellness counseling in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A cancer survivor, McKay-Riddell developed a combination of shamanism and art making as part of her healing journey, and later founded a nonprofit organization, Orenda Healing International (OIH), devoted to promoting individual and community health and wellbeing. Current projects through OHI include the influence of the Goddess in Navajo spirituality; filmmaking as a catalyst for intergenerational healing among Native American youth and elders; the possibility of genetic inheritance as the inspiration for shamanic practice; and shamanism as a root philosophy for many of our modern professions, including medicine, religion, and art. McKay-Riddell has taught art to young people and adults, including HIV-AIDS and cancer patients, as well as challenged youth, developmentally-disabled adults, and women in transition for over twenty years. She is a certified Usui Reiki Master.

“We look to Dr. McKay-Riddell to bring fresh inspiration to this important department,” said Wendy Griffin, Ph.D., Academic Dean of Cherry Hill Seminary. “Broadening the scope and student base of Pagan Community Education is a particular strategic objective to which we know she will bring her unique talents. Meanwhile, we also express our gratitude to Jennifer Bennett for her leadership in this area for nearly three years.”

Cherry Hill Seminary supports individuals in Pagan and other Earth-based spiritualities and their communities by providing an extensive education in diverse aspects of Pagan philosophy, practice, and skilled ministry, Supplementing existing ritual and magical skills with training for professional ministry and counseling, serving as an ongoing resource for individual continuing education, and providing a forum for scholarship and community.

All Cherry Hill Seminary courses are offered online, with periodic conferences in various locations around the United States. For more information, visit www.cherryhillseminary.org, or contact us at CHS@cherryhillseminary.org.