| For Immediate Release Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Columbia, S.C.—This week media sources revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense has removed around 180 recognized religious faiths and belief systems from its list of faith codes. The excuse given by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was that this would “streamline” the department’s “collection of religious preferences to enhance the delivery of targeted religious support from the Chaplaincy.” (1) Cherry Hill Seminary strenuously objects to this action. For more than 20 years Cherry Hill Seminary has served hundreds of individuals exploring their spirituality and training to provide professional and compassionate spiritual support to others. More than a few of these have been individuals wishing to serve as a U.S. military chaplain. The Seminary is grounded in Pagan and earth-based spiritualities but requires courses in world religions and interfaith leadership in order to prepare our graduates for a multicultural world. Chaplaincy requires someone of any or no religion to be able to attend the needs of all the personnel in their care. But part of that training is to know when to bring in another chaplain who shares the religion of the individual. For example, a Muslim or Pagan chaplain will not serve communion to a Christian soldier but will ensure that soldier has appropriate access to sacraments. We are concerned that military personnel who must choose from this narrow approved list will fall through the cracks of service. Spiritual needs are heightened and intensified during the rigors of military training and deployment, and even more so by the trauma of combat. To impose these restrictive definitions sends a clear message that the 180 religious paths eliminated are no longer important enough to serve in the armed forces. It is hard to miss the steady forward movement of the ultra-conservative Project 2025 plan, which claims to “strengthen protections for chaplains to carry out their ministry according to the tenets of their faith,” while at the same time calling to “eliminate . . . newly established diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and staff.” (2) Such statements strike us as un-American. The new list creates dividing lines between recognized and invisible religions, effectively, if not explicitly, disrupting the unity on which strong military defense relies. We call on the U.S. Department of Defense to discard this recent list in order to provide spiritual care for all of those who serve in the defense of our country. (1) As reported by Military.com on June 4, 2026 (2) Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project, pp. 103-104 Cherry Hill Seminary is the leading provider of education and practical training in leadership, ministry, and personal growth in Pagan and Nature-Based spiritualities, by providing transformative education and empowering students to advance academically and lead spiritually.. https://cherryhillseminary.org/ Media contact for more information: chs@cherryhillseminary.org or 1-803-862-9088. |
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Congratulations to Our Spring Graduates
| For Immediate Release Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2026 Columbia, S.C.—Cherry Hill Seminary honored eleven new graduates on Saturday, May 9 at the Spring Commencement. Selina Rifkin received her Master of Divinity in Ministry, Advocacy and Leadership. Selina began her Seminary journey in 2008, took a several-year break, then returned to complete the degree. Her thesis is entitled, “Seeking alternative religion: Leaving the culturally dominant religion for a Pagan, earth-based practice.” Board of Directors member Vanessa Hurst announced Meagan Fischer and Skyelar Peterson have received their Community Ministry Certificate (CMC). She also recognized Gabriel “Cap” Nix, an outstanding student who died this spring while working towards his CMC. Nix’s family and friends were present as Hurst shared about Cap’s talent and enthusiasm for serving others. Rev. Amy Beltaine recognized four individuals who have received their Spiritual Direction Certificate: Brenda Cole, Tamara Van Jacobs, Lawrence Lerner, and Matthew Ricke. The certification is earned through two years of immersive learning and praxis. To date, twenty-one students have earned their Spiritual Direction Certificate. Professor Diane Cacciato presented the Writing as a Spiritual Practice Certificate to Mena Strong, Chris Rothbauer, Diane Sontum, and (posthumously) Linda Slack. A collection of the class members’ writings (including Slack’s) will be published this year as Hypatia Dreaming: Volume II. Keynote speaker Robert Patrick, PhD noted in his remarks that we have “good trouble and good magic to work in this world . . . in this moment of human history, that is calling forth in this spot powerful presence, the will to take up the challenges of change, and courageous imagination.” Holli Emore, Executive Director, closed with an admonition to the graduates: “In such uncertain times, there is a critical need for those trained to weave connection and bring forth healing. All of us present charge each of our graduates to tend your light carefully, and to shine it fearlessly for those who might look to you.” A recording of the event may be viewed here. Cherry Hill Seminary is the leading provider of education and practical training in leadership, ministry, and personal growth in Pagan and Nature-Based spiritualities, by providing transformative education and empowering students to advance academically and lead spiritually.. https://cherryhillseminary.org/ Media contact for more information: chs@cherryhillseminary.org or 1-803-862-9088. |
Robin Douglas & Sasha Chaitow
What threads connect historical paganism and contemporary Paganism? Attend to hear fascinating insights into both historical and present day Paganism. Dr. Robin Douglas is a historian and writer based in London. writing on the history of minority religious traditions and their relationship with the hegemonic majority. He is particularly interested in the history of revived paganism and the history of esoteric and occult movements. Dr Sasha Chaitow is an independent scholar of Greek cultural history whose work focuses on ancient, Byzantine, and modern traditions. She is the author of Son of Prometheus, a new study of Horapollon’s Hieroglyphica, and forthcoming studies of Byzantine demonology and of living Greek magic.