| 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. |
Category Archives: News
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. |
Cherry Hill Seminary Holds Historic First Ordination
| For Immediate Release Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026 Columbia, S.C.—Cherry Hill Seminary held a service of ordination on Saturday, March 21, 2026 for five of its graduates: Vanessa F. Hurst, CMC; Jeffrey M. Keefer, Certified Spiritual Director; Julie Olson, CMC; Troy Alan Robinson, CMC; and Jenny Zappala, CMC. Each of the ordinands completed a thorough course of study, including a supervised internship local to them. A Clergy Review Committee which included Rev. Wes Isley, MDiv, HPs Carol Kirk, Rev. Karen LeBlanc, MDiv, Rev. Cedar Monroe, MDiv, and Dr. Robert Patrick, MDiv, reviewed applications and interviewed each candidate before approving them for ordination. Prior to this review the Seminary contracted with an outside firm to conduct extensive background checks. “We’ve been asked about ordination for as long as I’ve been with Cherry Hill Seminary,” said Holli Emore, Executive Director. “That’s been 20 years, and last year we began to hold discussions about what it means to be ordained, or to be the ordaining party,” she continued. Robert Patrick, a member of the Clergy Review Committee, had more to say. “Pagans are largely solitary. We are ordaining Pagan-identifed clergy to minister to the needs of Pagan and nature spirituality folks in both their solitariness and in their groups. It’s really sort of unchartered waters, and that’s exciting. We are ordaining clergy for large swaths of people who don’t have easy access to clergy when they feel the need.” The world of contemporary Pagans has long debated terms like clergy, or the need for ordination, Emore noted. “My own thesis work showed that most people who identify as some variety of Pagan, or simply connecting to spirituality through nature, are on their own, but not always by choice. This means that our graduates are serving their communities in myriad ways, whether leading small groups, offering spiritual direction or pastoral counseling, holding public rituals, formal chaplaincy, or leading from a congregational pulpit.” Cherry Hill Seminary is not tradition-specific, and does not train students for particular traditions. Core elements of seminary training include ethics, exploring the student’s personal theology, interfaith leadership, ritual development and more. Candidates for ordination have demonstrated the understanding of and ability to support others spiritually. “In the end, we realized that our students both need and deserve the validation that comes with the rigorous process leading to ordination. It is also a strong message to the world outside the Seminary that this is a person who can be trusted,” said Emore. Those who wish to make a gift in honor of one or all the ordinands may do so 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. |
| top to bottom, left to right: Jeffrey M. Keefer, Jenny Zappala, Julie Olson, Vanessa F. Hurst, Troy Alan Robinson |
Welcome Explorer
During the second year of the Spiritual Direction Certificate program, students work with three people, for free, as a practicum. If you are interested in doing spiritual direction work, please click a website/email link for the students below and book a “get to know you” appointment. The two of you then can discern if you wish to work together. It is common practice to meet with 2-3 companions to discover together which match feels most right. Scroll down for suggested questions to ask at your get-to-know-you appointment. Appointments begin March 2026 – If your chosen spiritual companion does not have an opening, email us to get on the waitlist. Please, leave space for someone who has not yet benefited from this opportunity. (If you’ve already worked with a prior cohort, contact us directly for your referral.
Tracy Bleakney
tracybleakneyspiritualcare.com
Spiritual direction is mindfully sitting with another person with the intention of attending to their spiritual concerns in partnership with Spirit.
Michelle Mudge Buhite
https://www.uusdn.org/alphabetical-directory/buhite-rev-michelle
Helena Domenic
Spiritual Direction is the work of being a companion to seekers who wish to better understand and develop their relationship with the Divine. Through actively listening to the seeker and asking questions of the seeker, the companion is a very gentle guide who provides support and resources as needed to those who want to better understand their own spiritual path.
Mysti Downing
https://mothmystica.com/spirit/
As a spiritual co-voyager, I partner with individuals who are ready to dive into the “soul laboratory” of their own lives. My practice is rooted in the belief that you are the ultimate authority of your own experience.
Catherine Ishida
Lisa Lake
Cedar Monroe
Spiritual care offers space, companionship, and deep listening as people explore their spirituality and find ways to embrace life authentically and courageously. I seek to offer people space to connect with their deepest selves, their ancestors, the land on which they live, and/or whatever their experience of the divine. I respect all spiritual paths, including those that are non-religious or undefined.
Gail Livesay Renfrow
Spiritual Direction & Companionship is about witnessing and reflecting with a Seeker on who they are as a Spiritual Being. Spirit Care can be a mirror, mentor, or midwife for the Seeker depending on where they are on their path. I invite you to share your Spirit with me.
Nursing the soul with interfaith spiritual companionship, inviting all to fan the flames of the Spirit within. Spiritual direction provides a seeker with the space and companionship to explore their spiritual connections and how it relates to their lives.
Scott Waterhouse
My definition of spiritual direction/spiritual companioning, like life, is something always in a state of growth. Currently it is accompanying another on their spiritual journey; witnessing, sharing, and collaboratively exploring another heart’s relationship with The Sacred as they understand It with respect, integrity, and love.
Why engage in spiritual direction work
12 Questions to ask at the getting to know you appointment
Connect with a graduate of the CHS SpiDir program
Learn more about the Spiritual Direction Certificate program at Cherry Hill Seminary