Formative Spirituality Program to begin Fall '09 

Formative Spirituality courses have offered our students a chance to take a break from the “headwork” of seminary academics and get in touch with spiritual things. “These courses are like visiting an oasis,” says Doug Donigian, recent senior MDiv student. “They are more experiential then other classes; a time to suspend the questions and the control…time to allow the spirit to move.” “These courses go from head-work to the heart-work; getting your hands into the essence of why we’re here” reflects Jennifer Wood, second-year MAPC student.

These quotes are fruits of the contemplative experiences of students who have participated in the Formative Spirituality courses at the Seminary for the past two years. Courses such as Group Spiritual Direction, Individual Spiritual Direction, and Formative Spirituality of the Parish & Community have laid the foundation for a brand new program soon to be offered.

In keeping with the priority goals approved by the faculty and trustees and in response to expressed student interest, over the past two-and-a-half years a task force consisting of Glenn Asquith, Marcella Kraybill-Greggo, Barbara Martell, and Steve Simmons has been considering possibilities for a certificate program in Formative Spirituality. The conversations considered a program that would cultivate leadership skills in facilitating and deepening contemplative spiritual practices, either for the parish or the agency setting.

As conversations continued and student enthusiasm grew, a multi-track certificate program in Formative Spirituality has developed in which interested participants could select from one of four training tracks:

1) Track A1: a course sequence to achieve a 21-credit certificate in Formative Spirituality;
2) Track A2: a course sequence to achieve a 18-credit certificate in Formative Spirituality while enrolled in the MATS degree program (meets the MATS elective requirement);
3) Track B: while enrolled in the MDiv or MAPC program, a course sequence of 7 credits (in addition to the required Spiritual Formation course) to achieve an Elective Concentration in Formative Spirituality (meets the elective requirement for either programs);
4) Track C: a sequence of 4 continuing education Formative Spirituality courses over a period of two years.
These programs are also designed to compliment studies in Chaplaincy, Social Work and Nursing; to provide electives and advanced study for alumni; and may also be attractive to area pastors and other professionals.

At its Spring 2008 meeting, the Trustees approved that the Certificate in Formative Spirituality program officially begin in Fall 2009. In the meantime, a number of Formative Spirituality courses are already being offered (those with an * are being offered this upcoming year). These courses will be taught by local spiritual directors and by those who have been leading and teaching contemplative practices in local university, seminary, and retreat settings. The program seeks to offer a balance of both academic rigor and experiential learning, with a special emphasis on hands-on opportunities for multi-modal practicums in both parish and community settings, while under professional supervision.

— Marcella Kraybill-Greggo
Clinical Placement Director