What Will I Learn?
15 month-long modules placed in our online classroom will give you a brief introduction to these topics:
- 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
- Addiction issues
- Domestic violence issues
- Lifework planning and optional ministerial prep for Sacred Well Congregation (SWC)
Where Are Classes Held?
There are no live class meetings – all media presentations, readings, web resource links and discussion lists are in our online classroom. With good internet access you can do this from anywhere in the world, any time of the day, 24/7.
Who Will Be My Teacher?
Instead of a teacher, you will be assigned a faculty mentor who has experience in community ministry. That mentor will stay with you throughout your independent study, checking in with you regularly and giving you feedback and evaluations. Your mentor will also want to have phone or web meetings periodically.
How Much Will This Cost?
When you register for the program you will submit a registration fee $20, then CHS will invoice you on the 10th of each month (15 payments of $100). The work is self-paced, but you are expected to complete each module in the month so you can go on to the next.
If you drop out or must take a leave there is no refund. When you return, you may not be reassigned to the same faculty-mentor. If you do not pay your invoice within 24 hours of receiving it, your access to the classroom will be discontinued.
There are a few books that you must purchase on your own. Many of the readings will be posted in your classroom.
What If I Am Not Interested In SWC Credentials?
That’s perfectly acceptable. You and your mentor will work out some details of your program which are specific to your tradition (or no tradition). However, please note that at this time, SWC is the only organization offering ministerial credentials to CHS students.
Will This Mean I’m Able to Legally Marry Someone?
The laws are different in each state. It will give you education from a respected source, and you will be better prepared to offer this service to others. If you choose to seek ordination with SWC, then you will be endorsed by a reputable Pagan organization which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and others.
How is This Different From a Master of Divinity Degree?
An MDiv is a full graduate degree, comparable to any graduate degree you would receive at a university or other seminary. It is often required for professional chaplaincy or paid congregational ministry. The Community Ministry Certificate is not a graduate degree or professional licensure. It is designed for the many individuals who are doing work in their own community and who need an introductory program to help them with the skills and knowledge essential to such work. You do not need a college degree in order to enter the CMC program.
How will people know I’ve received this?
Following award of your Community Ministry Certificate, you are entitled to add the initials CMC after your name. Also, if you have received your Community Ministry Certificate from Cherry Hill Seminary, you may commission a ministerial stole. A deep green stole with the embroidered Cherry Hill Seminary official logo is exclusively designated for our Community Ministry graduates. Contact the office for more information.
Do You Have Scholarships?
Not at this time. Cherry Hill Seminary offers the highest quality Pagan-focused education at the best prices available anywhere. But we do this on a limited, donation dependent budget. Based on the current tuition rates for other seminary programs, we believe that we offer quality distance education at a reasonable tuition rate.
When Does the CMC Program Start?
Register as soon as you decide to take this step. Since the program is for independent study, there are no dates for classes, just your individual progress through the modules.
What Is Sacred Well Congregation?
“The Sacred Well Congregation International is a Universalist, independent, non-evangelical Wiccan Church. We are organized for the purpose of conducting and promoting religious worship on alternative Spiritual Paths. Our Church provides open, public venues for the practice of the Old Religions; we promote community benevolence efforts, spiritual counseling, and religious educational programs, and provide extensive spiritual and administrative support to service members, their families and military communities. We believe that there are many paths leading to the same spiritual dwelling place, and we affirm the right of any individual to choose his or her own path, and the right of any group to worship the Divine in any lawful manner they may choose. branches of our family tree extend far and wide.”
What if I already have a tradition that is not Greencraft Wicca?
“Sacred Well Congregation is formally affiliated with the Greencraft™ Tradition of Wicca, a branch of the Continental Alexandrian line originating in the Benelux.”
SWC includes affiliates of various traditions, a number of them being something other than witchcraft. Founder and Executive Director David Oringderff tells us that SWC was founded at a time when Wicca was predominant in the Pagan world, but that SWC has always been intended as an open organization, there to serve the growing and changing needs of today’s Pagan world.
Tell me more about applying to Sacred Well Congregation.
“Upon completion of the CMC and when accepted by SWC (we will do background checks) you will be given deacon status so you can start performing clergy duties right away. You will have some strict reporting requirements for 21 months (3 years including the 15 months of the CMC program). After that, assuming all goes well and we are both still happy with each other, you are given clergy status. There are still reporting requirements for clergy, but far less rigorous.” If you intend to apply for deacon and then clergy status, we recommend that you start by joining SWC as a member at the time that you begin your certificate studies.”
Do I need to buy any books?
Only a few. Most readings are provided in the online classroom. You can find out what books you need ahead of time.
Bear in mind
Cherry Hill Seminary expects each of our students to take responsibility for knowing the information contained in the Student Handbook and this website www.cherryhillseminary.org, including all policies that affect your program of study. While faculty advisors are always available to assist and advise, you are expected to monitor your own progress toward the degree or certificate of your choice. Most importantly, this is a self-directed program and you are responsible not only for proper completion of assignments, but for interacting with your Faculty-Mentor and responding to their guidance.
Our organization may want to receive candidates for ordination or priesthood who have completed their CHS Community Ministry Certificate – what is required?
We are happy to facilitate a connection between our CMC students and your organization, and to mention your organization in our information for students and the public.
For example, Sacred Well Congregation accepts the CMC in place of their coursework and counts the time spent in the CMC program (15 months) towards time required before full ordination. Students who plan to pursue Sacred Well Congregation ordination are encouraged to go ahead and join SWC early on so they can develop that relationship.
Upon completion of the CMC, Cherry Hill Seminary issues a formal letter and certificate which may be presented by the student to any organization. Of course, it is up to that organization to provide any tradition-specific training. No student is guaranteed acceptance as clergy; the ordaining tradition makes that determination.
Please contact us if you have questions or would like to set up such a relationship. Please send inquiries, a description of your organization, its mission and programs, and current requirements for both membership and priesthood or ordination.
