Category Archives: communications-pages

Aline O’Brien Awarded Honorary Degree In Recognition of Lifetime Achievement and Service

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Contact: Holli Emore, Cherry Hill Seminary, CHS@cherryhillseminary.org

Aline O’Brien, M.Div. honoris causa

Columbia, S.C. — Aline O’Brien, also known as M. Macha NightMare, has been awarded a Master of Divinity, honoris causa (honorary) by Cherry Hill Seminary in recognition of her many years of service and leadership to the Seminary.

The surprise announcement took place at the October 12 South Carolina Upstate Pagan Pride Day (Greenville area) at the end of a ritual led by O’Brien. Holli Emore, Executive Director of the Seminary, presented an honorary Master of Divinity on behalf of the Board of Directors, acknowledging the vital role O’Brien has played in the life of the Seminary for at least fifteen years.

Originally invited to participate in an online class by co-founder Cat Chapin-Bishop, O’Brien went on to develop and teach “Call of the Dark Mother,” a course addressing issues around dying and death. She recruited many individuals who became faculty, served on the board, or chose to support the Seminary as donors. O’Brien served as a director from 2008 to 2011, chairing the governing body for two of those years.

“Being a living legend within American (and indeed, global) Craft and feminist causes, Macha’s contributions have inspired countless people who need spiritual sustenance during challenging times,” said Jeffrey Keefer, Board Chair. “Macha has been a steadfast supporter of Cherry Hill Seminary’s educational mission and vision over the years, previously serving on our Board of Directors, and it is with great honor that we present this honorary degree for her many contributions to Pagan and Nature-Based spiritualities.”

Emore noted, “While Cherry Hill Seminary is an organic creation which has emerged from the vision and work of a great many people, including our students, it is difficult to imagine where we would be without Macha. She has been phenomenal.”

As a token of appreciation for her many years of dedication, the Seminary gifted O’Brien with a red silk stole embroidered with the Seminary logo which is reserved for graduates.

To read more comments by Pagan leaders about O’Brien, visit Tributes to Aline O’Brien

For more information, contact the office at CHS@cherryhillseminary.org.

Healing & Justice

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Cherry Hill Seminary deplores the murders which took place in New Zealand last Friday, in Pittsburgh before that, and so many more senseless tragedies before those.

Let us follow the example of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She refuses to mention the killer’s name, instead honoring the many devout human beings who were practicing their faith that day. She has urged practical and immediate action, through legislative means. And she showed true leadership by stepping forward immediately with a voice of deep compassion and empathy.

Cherry Hill Seminary also urges the continued examination of the forces which have led to the rise of racist, nationalist, and violent movements. We must decry the actions of these groups and individuals, but at the same time do our best to learn how to prevent their descent into the abyss of fear and hate. To that end, Cherry Hill Seminary will continue to seek insight through scholarship, and train our students to speak for justice in their communities.

Paganism & Its Discontents

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Cherry Hill Seminary and the University of South Carolina Institute of Anthropology & Archaeology will hold an important conference March 15-17, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. 

Join us at the most beautiful time of the year in Columbia, on the historic campus of the University of South Carolina.
We will meet in Room 134 of the  Darla Moore School of Business, 1014 Greene Street and Assembly Street, shown on this campus map. Columbia offers many hotels and restaurants which you may wish to explore. We recommend these hotels. A number of restaurants are within a block or two, including Middle Eastern, Mexican, subs and fast food. We will have a longer Saturday lunch break. Watch for news about a reception on Friday evening. Conference language is English.
Late Registration (after January 15): $115
South Carolina residents courtesy fee for Saturday only: $45

Proponents of racist interpretations of pre-Christian Norse-Germanic spiritualities have claimed to be preserving “heritage,” while others belonging to the contemporary Heathen movements have moved to distance themselves from “folkish” thinking. Long-simmering just beneath the surface of American Paganism, racialized Heathenry was on full display in 2017 in Charlottesville, Virgina. The recent Pagan Engagement Survey also revealed a surprising thread of racism among participants. Presentations will address topics like:

♦ Ethnic vs. universal Paganism
♦ Attempted co-option of Pagan ideas and symbols by hate groups
♦ Addressing under-the-radar racism in Pagan groups
♦ Irredentist ideas in our mythologies
♦ Reconstructionism or racism and xenophobia?
♦ Implications and consequences of Declaration 127
♦ Re-emergence of ethno-nationalism and its impact on current events

Event Schedule (subject to change)

Note: Cherry Hill Seminary students earn intensive credit for participation.


Call For Papers: Paganism and its Discontents

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Cherry Hill Seminary and the University of South Carolina Institute of Archaeology & Anthropology (SCIAA) are proud to jointly sponsor a conference, March 15-17, 2019, on the USC campus in Columbia, South Carolina, titled “Paganism and its Discontents: Enduring Problems of Racialized Identity.” Keynote Speaker: Michael Strmiska

We welcome papers that explore the following issues:

  • Ethnic vs. universal Paganism
  • Attempted co-option of Pagan ideas and symbols by hate groups
  • Addressing under-the-radar racism in Pagan groups
  • Irredentist ideas in our mythologies
  • Reconstructionism or racism and xenophobia?
  • Implications and consequences of Declaration 127
  • Re-emergence of ethno-nationalism and its impact on current events

Editable proposed draft with all citations, due by Monday, December 3, 2018, APA style, submitted using this form.

Presentations will be recorded, copyrighted, and made available to participants for personal use following the conference. We plan to shop the compiled paper submissions to a mainstream academic publisher.

Questions: CHS@cherryhillseminary.org.

Submissions: Click here to submit