Unpacking Significant Spiritual Experiences in Your Work as a Chaplain

This Cranaleith Communities of Practice program is for full-time chaplains in campus ministry, health care, elder care, prison care, senior living communities, industry chaplaincy or military chaplaincy. 

The busy days of a chaplain are typically filled with meaningful spiritual experiences.  Unfortunately, it is also typical that there is seldom time to unpack these experiences.  When we fail to pause and reflect, we miss out on the nourishment of joy, the mystery of suffering and the complex beauty of the spiritual life.

This retreat will give you time to name and celebrate two meaningful spiritual experiences from your work as a chaplain: an experience of loss and an experience of receiving.  Participants will sit with their memories, share their stories with one another and harvest the wisdom in each experience through art and discussion.  Rituals will help give physical expression to what has occurred in the inner world. 

Find community and quiet.  Let nature, conversation, poetry, song and art loosen your heart.  Weather permitting, we will enjoy Cranaleith’s beautiful ten-acre property; if you wish to go outside, please dress for the weather.

This program has wisdom expressed in all spiritual traditions.  All are welcome!

CEUs: We have indexed this program offering to the following learning outcomes, which should not be construed as endorsement of these programs by either ACPE or BCCI: 

• ACPE Category A= Spiritual Formation and Integration- Outcome 1: Narrative History, Outcome 3: Spiritual/Values-Based Orienting System
• ACPE Category B= Awareness of Self and Others-Outcome 1: Self Care
• BCCI Section III: Professional Identity and Conduct Competencies (PIC): PIC3–Attend to one’s own physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.