Wise Words

A Threshold of Change

Now, more than ever before, Paganism and the many forms of earth-centered spirituality have become the threshold over which increasing numbers step, seeking what is both within and without, both healing and celebration, profane and divine. Some see the growth of Paganism as hope for the earth, itself.  Many look to the eclectic and diverse…Continue reading

Parting Words: Candace Kant, Ph.D.

From Our Outgoing Academic Dean: Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Board Leadership, I have genuinely enjoyed serving as Academic Dean for the past three years and have been honored to be able to work with the dedicated, committed, talented, and enthusiastic students, faculty, and administration of Cherry Hill Seminary. In my three years as Academic…Continue reading

The Burden of Liberty

Fireworks, footlongs, baseball and the beach are the usual order of the day on the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Our philharmonic here in S.C. will accompany lakeside festivities with the usual 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire. And many will contemplate the years they served in uniform, or supported someone who did. Being in the…Continue reading

Deep In My Heart I Do Believe

This week I watched a fantastic documentary film called Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance. The inspiration of Shared Legacies was in jarring contrast to the Washington riot we’ve been seeing replayed over and over on television. It’s hard to place the lives lost in the DC melee beside civil rights martyrs. Still,…Continue reading

Pagans in Pandemic Spring 2020

We asked you to share what’s happening in your world as we go through the pandemic together. Thanks to everyone who responded! Read here Aidan Solar in Canada; Lucia Morena Vela in Spain; Laurel Holmstrom-Keyes in California; Julie Olson, CMC, in Arizona; Katherine Bayne in Virginia; David Oringderff in Missouri; Strobus White in Massachusetts; Maggie Beaumont…Continue reading

A Calling to Pagans

Tomorrow many Christians will celebrate a feast of fire which they call Pentecost. Some of you may remember the story, and it feels as if fire is raining down on all our heads today, around our country, just as it did on the early apostles of the Pentecost story. I asked my friend, a Lutheran…Continue reading

Remembering September 11

Ten years ago… Cherry Hill Seminary was a fledgling online presence, no less pained by the violence of September 11, 2011, than our sisters and brothers in the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, non-religious, and other religious communities across the country, around the world. Ten years later, our faculty and students reflect on the meaning they draw…Continue reading

CHS Announcements

2024 Professor of the Year

Columbia, S.C. — Cherry Hill Seminary is pleased to announce Rev. Diane Ciacatto is the 2024 recipient of the Wendy Griffin Professor of the Year Award! The Votaries Alumni Circle of Cherry Hill Seminary announced the winner during the CHS Winter Commencement Ceremony on December 22. Diane is the creator of the Writing As A…Continue reading

CHS Graduate Bryce Woyak Certified by SCA

Columbia, S.C. — Cherry Hill Seminary graduate Bryce Woyak has earned his Board Certified Chaplain certification from the Spiritual Care Association. Woyak is the first Seminary graduate to earn this coveted professional distinction. Woyak graduated from Cherry Hill Seminary in 2024, having earned his Master of Divinity degree, specializing in Pastoral Counseling & Chaplaincy. The…Continue reading

2023 Professor of the Year

Columbia, S.C. — During a special virtual ceremony on Saturday, February 25 the Votaries Alumni Circle of Cherry Hill Seminary announced the winner of this year’s Wendy Griffin Professor of the Year Award. The recipient is Robert Patrick, PhD, MDiv, Dept. of Ministry, Advocacy & Leadership. Patrick (pictured at left) holds a BA in Biblical…Continue reading

Parting Words: Candace Kant, Ph.D.

From Our Outgoing Academic Dean: Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Board Leadership, I have genuinely enjoyed serving as Academic Dean for the past three years and have been honored to be able to work with the dedicated, committed, talented, and enthusiastic students, faculty, and administration of Cherry Hill Seminary. In my three years as Academic…Continue reading

Cherry Hill Seminary Announces Release of “Paganism and Its Discontents: Enduring Problems of Racialized Identity”

Columbia, S.C. — Cherry Hill Seminary announces the release of “Paganism and Its Discontents: Enduring Problems of Racialized Identity”, a volume containing papers presented at a 2019 symposium by the same name, plus a preface by sociologist Helen S. Berger. The symposium was a joint effort of Cherry Hill Seminary and the University of South…Continue reading

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

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

Call For Papers: Paganism and its Discontents

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:…Continue reading

CHS News

2024 Professor of the Year

Columbia, S.C. — Cherry Hill Seminary is pleased to announce Rev. Diane Ciacatto is the 2024 recipient of the Wendy Griffin Professor of the Year Award! The Votaries Alumni Circle of Cherry Hill Seminary announced the winner during the CHS Winter Commencement Ceremony on December 22. Diane is the creator of the Writing As A…Continue reading

CHS Graduate Bryce Woyak Certified by SCA

Columbia, S.C. — Cherry Hill Seminary graduate Bryce Woyak has earned his Board Certified Chaplain certification from the Spiritual Care Association. Woyak is the first Seminary graduate to earn this coveted professional distinction. Woyak graduated from Cherry Hill Seminary in 2024, having earned his Master of Divinity degree, specializing in Pastoral Counseling & Chaplaincy. The…Continue reading

2023 Professor of the Year

Columbia, S.C. — During a special virtual ceremony on Saturday, February 25 the Votaries Alumni Circle of Cherry Hill Seminary announced the winner of this year’s Wendy Griffin Professor of the Year Award. The recipient is Robert Patrick, PhD, MDiv, Dept. of Ministry, Advocacy & Leadership. Patrick (pictured at left) holds a BA in Biblical…Continue reading

CHS Pagans at 2023 Parliament

from Aline (Macha) O’Brien – Pagans, both groups and individuals, were a strong and visible presence at the most recent Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. I attended as a National Interfaith Representative of the Covenant of the Goddess (cog.org), without whose support I wouldn’t have been there, but also less formally for Cherry Hill…Continue reading

CHS Pagans at 2023 Parliament

from Lawrence Lerner – The 2023 Chicago Parliament of the World’s Religions celebrated 130 years in the birthplace of the modern interfaith movement. 2023 was the largest Pagan presence in its history, with approximately 200 Pagans in attendance. Our community had an exceptionally welcoming, inviting interfaith room, curated by Twilla York, featuring 20 insightful talks,…Continue reading

2022 Professor of the Year

Columbia, S.C. — During a special virtual ceremony on Saturday, February 20, the Votaries Alumni Circle of Cherry Hill Seminary announced the winner of this year’s Wendy Griffin Professor of the Year Award. The recipient is Rev. Amy Beltaine. Beltaine is an active Unitarian Universalist minister and spiritual director/companion, in addition to her role as professor…Continue reading

CHS Events

Labyrinth background with an image of Don Frew at the center

Coming to the Center Hosts Don Frew

The Lost and Endangered Religions Project, Adocentyn Research Library, United Religions Initiative, Covenant of the Goddess, Wiccan advocacy during the “Satanic Panic” and recent Egyptology projects in Karnak and Luxor – Gardnerian witch Don Frew’s life is a veritable feast of culture and service. Join us as Cherry Hill Seminary director Holli Emore interviews Don…Continue reading