Winter & Spring Class Offerings

January – 2009

 

Geisinger Division of Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care Center

100 North Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822    570-271-3700

 

The Division of Spiritual Care is pleased to offer the following classes to all clergy,

spiritual caregivers, lay ministers, hospital staff and interested community members for the months of January through June 2009.  Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the Spiritual Care Center at Geisinger in Danville, and are without charge.

Participants purchase their own texts, available new or used at www.amazon.com.

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WORLD RELIGIONS:  A SURVEY

This seven session Monday evening series will explore major global faith traditions from their origin to the present, each as a complete integral system, yet with an eye to differences and commonalities, in an effort to better understand and appreciate others with whom we live and work.  One text undergirds the entire series.  Relevant chapters are best read before the class.

Dates and Topics:  Mondays, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2009.  7:00-9:00pm.

            January 12 (Hinduism), 19 (Buddhism), 26 (Religions of China & Japan),  

            February 2 (Judaism), 9 (Christianity), 16 (Islam) and 23 (Native American), 2008.

Text: John Bowker (2006). World religions: The great faiths explored and explained.

            Dorling Kindersley Limited.  ISBN-13: 978-0-7566-1772-1 (paper).  No fee.

 

STAGES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Individuals as well as cultures evidence distinguishable levels of development of consciousness and spirituality.  Based on the work of classic spiritual masters as well as psychologists such as Piaget, Gebser, Fowler and Wilber, the text presents nine levels of human consciousness which correlate with types of spirituality, clearly explained with ample examples.

Dates:  Wednesdays, January 14, 21 and 28, 2009.  7:00-9:00pm.

Text:  Jim Marion (2004).  The death of the mythic God: The rise of evolutionary spirituality.

            Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publications.  ISBN: 1-57174-406-1 (paper).  No fee.

 

BUDDHA NIGHTS

An on-going study of Buddhism for Buddhists, friends of Buddhists or those interested in learning more about Buddhism, that meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00pm.

SERIES ONE:

            Dates:  February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 2009

            Text:  Pema Chödrön (2002).  Comfortable with uncertainty – 108 teachings.

                        Boston: Shambhala..  ISBN: 1-57062-972-2  (cloth).  No fee.

SERIES TWO:

            Dates:  April 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 2009

            Text:  Geshe Sönam Rinchen  & Ruth Sonam (1997).  The 37 practices of bodhisattvas.

                        Ithica, NY: Snow Lion Publications.  ISBN:1-55939-068-9  (paper).  No fee.

SERIES THREE:  

            Dates:  May 13, 20, 27, June 3 and 10, 2009

            Text:  Dalai Lama (2005).  How to expand love.  NY: Atria.  ISBN: 0-7432-6968-3.  No fee.

 

I HEARD THE OWL

This two Monday evening workshop examines the interplay of the meeting of Native American and Christian spiritualities, through a short renowned modern novel to be read before meeting.

Dates:  Mondays, March 2 and 9, 2009.  7:00-9:00pm.

Text:  Margaret Craven (1973).  I heard the owl call my name.

            Fitzhenry and Whiteside; 1 edition (January 10, 2005), ISBN-13: 978-1550413397. No Fee.

 

LATIN AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY

EVENT ONE:  ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF ARCHBISHOP ROMERO           

            Viewing and discussion of the 2002 film: Romero.

            Date:  Monday, March 23, 2009.  6:30-9:00pm.   No Text.  No Fee.

EVENT TWO:  FAITH RESPOSE TO IMMIGRATION ISSUES

            Viewing and discussion of the 2008 film:  Dying to live: A migrant’s journey.

            Date:  Monday, March 30, 2009.  7:00-9:00pm.   No text.  No fee.

 

MODERN SPIRITUAL MASTERS

Through biographical reflections and selected writings, the essential teachings of a dozen modern spiritual masters who balanced contemplation and engaged compassion will be read and discussed.

All four sessions are on Mondays and meet from 7:00-9:00pm.

Dates: April 20, 2009 – Thomas Merton, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Mohandas Gandhi

            April 27, 2009 – Madeleine Delbrel, Oscar Romero, Catherine de Hueck Doherty

            May 4, 2009    – Howard Thurman, Mother Maria Skobtsova, Dom Helder Camara

            May 11, 2009  – Thea Bowman, Henri Nouwen, Dorothy Day

Text: Robert Ellsberg (2008).  Modern spiritual masters.  NY: Orbis.  ISBN: 978-1-57075-788-4.

SPIRITUAL/CULTURAL COMPETENCY FOR CAREGIVERS

A two session workshop for adequately responding to the spiritual/cultural needs of persons.

Dates:  Mondays, June 1 and 8, 2009.  7:00-9:00pm.  No Fee.

Text: Robert G. Anderson & Mary A. Fukuyama (eds) (2004). Ministry in the spiritual and cultural          diversity of health care.  Binghamton, NY: Haworth Pastoral Press.  ISBN: 0-7890-2557-4.

 

ART OF CARING CONVERSATION – LEVEL ONE

Dates:  Thursdays, April 23, 30, May 7 and 14, 2009.  6:00-9:00pm.  No Text.  Fee: $10.00.

 

ART OF CARING CONVERSATION – LEVEL TWO

Dates:  Thursdays, May 28 and June 4, 2009.  6:00-9:00pm.  No Text.  Fee: $5.00.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

Group Meets:  Tuesdays, Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 31, Apr 28, May 26 & Jun 30, 2009.  7:00-8:30pm.

Contact:  Elaine Berberich CNM, mstork17821@yahoo.com, 570-490-2867

 

LIVING WITH GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Thursday afternoons, 1:00-2:30pm. – Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7 and Jun 4, 2009.

Thursday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm. – Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 19,Apr 16, May 21 and Jun 18, 2009.

Contact:  Chaplain  Bob Barner, rdbarner@geisinger.edu, 570-271-7253

 

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REGISTRATION:

To register for any of these workshops (except the women’s and grief groups), please call Tina or the voice mail at 570-271-3700.  Kindly leave the workshop title you wish to register for, your name, contact phone number and email address in a slow and clear voice.