Seminary Class 2017
The fire of Divine Love flows through the uniquely cut crystal that is my soul, out into the world. My studies at Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary have taught me to honor that unique cut rather than hide it. Rev. Stephanie has helped me to hone the tools that will keep the facets of that crystal polished and bright, creating warm and colorful patterns of light. Twelfth century Saint Hildegard of Bingen said, "The marvels of God are not brought forth from one's self. Rather, it is more like a chord, a sound that is played. The tone does not come out of the chord itself, but rather, through the touch of the musician. I am, of course, the lyre and harp of God's kindness." I don't know what tune God plans to play through me, but I know my training will allow me to keep the "lyre and harp of God's kindness" tuned so that the chords played can fulfill the intention of the Musician. Linda Goodman
The Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary has been an important step in my spiritual growth. It's allowed me to explore on a very deep level what God's calling is for me. Through the seminary, I now have a clear path of what I intend to do once I'm ordained. My personal ministry vision is to collaborate with church leaders of all faiths in the Greater Lowell area in order to have worship services every few months that will include all faith traditions. By sitting in worship, we will see that we are more similar than different. Once this becomes a regular event, an Interfaith Center for Love can open where we can all meet and plan further events to advance our goal of unity. Priscilla Griffin
During my almost three years of being a part of the Interfaith Seminary program at Tree of Life, my life has been deeply enriched and became more fruitful! It has been a very personal journey of growth for me. I feel as if I have gained greater understanding of myself, identified and refined my gifts and talents, as well as cultivated clarity and fine-tuned my offering to the world. I've come to realize that it is much more about who I am and how I live my life, than what I do. In short, I feel more relaxed, comfortable in my skin, connected to others on the faith journey, and to the Divine-Beloved. My deepest gratitude to Rev. Dr. Stephanie for following her inner Beloved and starting the Tree of Life Seminary and her gentle yet spot-on observations and encouragement.
Short term, I plan to use my new credentials to begin a Chicago chapter of the Global Peace Initiative program The Contemplative Alliance. The Contemplative Alliance is a gathering of people from different faith traditions for meditation and discussion of major issues facing our nations such as, climate change, racial and gender equity, non-violent approaches to strife, as well as an action piece that would actively work to create change. It's about writing a new narrative and intentionally living it out consciously and compassionately. This is a big project and I'll need allies to help launch this initiative! I also plan to continue with Spiritual Direction, mentoring individuals and small groups, perhaps reaching out more to people from other faiths. Currently I do this work at my parish, St. Mike's in Old Town, Chicago. Susan Pannier-Cass
The Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary has been an important step in my spiritual growth. It's allowed me to explore on a very deep level what God's calling is for me. Through the seminary, I now have a clear path of what I intend to do once I'm ordained. My personal ministry vision is to collaborate with church leaders of all faiths in the Greater Lowell area in order to have worship services every few months that will include all faith traditions. By sitting in worship, we will see that we are more similar than different. Once this becomes a regular event, an Interfaith Center for Love can open where we can all meet and plan further events to advance our goal of unity. Priscilla Griffin
During my almost three years of being a part of the Interfaith Seminary program at Tree of Life, my life has been deeply enriched and became more fruitful! It has been a very personal journey of growth for me. I feel as if I have gained greater understanding of myself, identified and refined my gifts and talents, as well as cultivated clarity and fine-tuned my offering to the world. I've come to realize that it is much more about who I am and how I live my life, than what I do. In short, I feel more relaxed, comfortable in my skin, connected to others on the faith journey, and to the Divine-Beloved. My deepest gratitude to Rev. Dr. Stephanie for following her inner Beloved and starting the Tree of Life Seminary and her gentle yet spot-on observations and encouragement.
Short term, I plan to use my new credentials to begin a Chicago chapter of the Global Peace Initiative program The Contemplative Alliance. The Contemplative Alliance is a gathering of people from different faith traditions for meditation and discussion of major issues facing our nations such as, climate change, racial and gender equity, non-violent approaches to strife, as well as an action piece that would actively work to create change. It's about writing a new narrative and intentionally living it out consciously and compassionately. This is a big project and I'll need allies to help launch this initiative! I also plan to continue with Spiritual Direction, mentoring individuals and small groups, perhaps reaching out more to people from other faiths. Currently I do this work at my parish, St. Mike's in Old Town, Chicago. Susan Pannier-Cass