Seminary Class 2018
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God... if anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." 1Peter 4:10-11
God has transformed my life through this interfaith seminary program. I didn't need a big lecture hall with peace that passes all understanding though Jesus Christ. I was taught a more meaningful way of developing a daily spiritual practice, engaging in communication with God through both silence and conversation in prayer. Right from the beginning this faith community reached out to me - a stranger with all my baggage of anger, depression, loss and fears - with love and compassion. Accepting me for who I was, right there at that moment. They continue to be supportive of me and my journey in many ways and I am very grateful for that.
I am very thankful for the many friends and supporters over the past three years who have helped with recording books on tape, type papers, and gathering emails. You allowed the hard journey to be a little more at ease. Thank you Rev. Stephanie for kicking my butt when I needed it, for guiding me through such inner work, and most importantly for your deep love of God. Thank you Nanc for being my Angel! As I continue on this journey, my vision and passion is to be a community minister, giving people comfort and support during their time of need, whether it is during life's struggles or in times of transition from this life to the next. Kathy Alger
I have four degrees and I have traveled all over the world both professionally and recreationally. I must say this program has challenged me to open my heart, and has prepared me for yet another voyage. I will soon be ordained and be called 'Reverend', but this, in fact, is who I am and what I have always been about. The in-depth focus on spiritual development, as well as the reading, research, reflection, and service has brought me to a place where, once again, I say 'YES' to Love and to all of creation. For it is the GOD of LOVE who UNITES us in the dance between the Beloved, Love and the Lover. As an Interfaith Minister, I will pray with and love all who simply seek God. I might work as a chaplain on a campus, or with Hospice. I am a teacher and so will always teach. I am a leader and so will step up and guide. Perhaps I will guide young people; perhaps I will guide people as they go through the many phases of their lives, including death and grief. And always, I will seek to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with my God. Linda Fraser
Interfaith study and the required daily spiritual practice has helped me to see others with more love, understanding, and acceptance. I am open without judgement to all beliefs while still standing strong in my own Christian faith. We are all precious in the Eye of God and we are One. I am grateful for this new spiritual awareness and know that this blessing will help me to minister to all on my path, especially those who are seriously ill, as I continue my work as a nurse and hospice volunteer. Anne M. Hebert
I had no idea when I first met Rev. Stephanie Rutt and asked her if I could join the seminary program what was to come from this journey. I only knew it was the path I was being called to. From the beginning the curriculum has guided me to find my true path to God through experiential learning. This is not just an academic program where I am learning about God, although I have learned a great deal from many spiritual masters. It is rather an inner journey to discover who God, my Beloved, is in my life and how He is tuning me to become an instrument of divine Love. The treasure that stands out for me as the most fulfilling and enriching part of the seminary is the personal spiritual practice. This included mantra, meditation, prayer, reading and writing, but perhaps most importantly a willingness to surrender to the mystical Presence on a daily basis. Creating the conditions of silence and stillness help me to find God everywhere.
The texts assigned for the journey were like helping spirits on my path. Each book led me deeper and deeper. Hannah Hunnard taught me about the perils of the journey with the Good Sheperd while centering prayer taught me about intention and loving God most. Stephanie's writing infused with Love and courage, helping each of us to risk the pain and transformations of becoming whole. The mantras from Stephanie's book filled me with the sound, the Love, of the One who loves us into birth. Her reflections on the Bhagavad Gita taught me to rise up and stand in my truth. The Buddhist, Jack Kornfield, showed me how to develop loving kindness and equanimity. The Sufis showed me how to dance in gratitude for the love of Allah. The Hebrew teachers showed me the ancient power of words and sounds. The shamanic journeys took me to places unknown and blessings unimagined. The community of the Tree of Life nurtured me in sacred circles and blessed me with friendships. Through these two years of study and practice I have come to know to whom I belong, to live with gratitude and purpose and to express my ecstatic cry in three words: YES, THANK YOU! Carol LaChance
God has transformed my life through this interfaith seminary program. I didn't need a big lecture hall with peace that passes all understanding though Jesus Christ. I was taught a more meaningful way of developing a daily spiritual practice, engaging in communication with God through both silence and conversation in prayer. Right from the beginning this faith community reached out to me - a stranger with all my baggage of anger, depression, loss and fears - with love and compassion. Accepting me for who I was, right there at that moment. They continue to be supportive of me and my journey in many ways and I am very grateful for that.
I am very thankful for the many friends and supporters over the past three years who have helped with recording books on tape, type papers, and gathering emails. You allowed the hard journey to be a little more at ease. Thank you Rev. Stephanie for kicking my butt when I needed it, for guiding me through such inner work, and most importantly for your deep love of God. Thank you Nanc for being my Angel! As I continue on this journey, my vision and passion is to be a community minister, giving people comfort and support during their time of need, whether it is during life's struggles or in times of transition from this life to the next. Kathy Alger
I have four degrees and I have traveled all over the world both professionally and recreationally. I must say this program has challenged me to open my heart, and has prepared me for yet another voyage. I will soon be ordained and be called 'Reverend', but this, in fact, is who I am and what I have always been about. The in-depth focus on spiritual development, as well as the reading, research, reflection, and service has brought me to a place where, once again, I say 'YES' to Love and to all of creation. For it is the GOD of LOVE who UNITES us in the dance between the Beloved, Love and the Lover. As an Interfaith Minister, I will pray with and love all who simply seek God. I might work as a chaplain on a campus, or with Hospice. I am a teacher and so will always teach. I am a leader and so will step up and guide. Perhaps I will guide young people; perhaps I will guide people as they go through the many phases of their lives, including death and grief. And always, I will seek to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with my God. Linda Fraser
Interfaith study and the required daily spiritual practice has helped me to see others with more love, understanding, and acceptance. I am open without judgement to all beliefs while still standing strong in my own Christian faith. We are all precious in the Eye of God and we are One. I am grateful for this new spiritual awareness and know that this blessing will help me to minister to all on my path, especially those who are seriously ill, as I continue my work as a nurse and hospice volunteer. Anne M. Hebert
I had no idea when I first met Rev. Stephanie Rutt and asked her if I could join the seminary program what was to come from this journey. I only knew it was the path I was being called to. From the beginning the curriculum has guided me to find my true path to God through experiential learning. This is not just an academic program where I am learning about God, although I have learned a great deal from many spiritual masters. It is rather an inner journey to discover who God, my Beloved, is in my life and how He is tuning me to become an instrument of divine Love. The treasure that stands out for me as the most fulfilling and enriching part of the seminary is the personal spiritual practice. This included mantra, meditation, prayer, reading and writing, but perhaps most importantly a willingness to surrender to the mystical Presence on a daily basis. Creating the conditions of silence and stillness help me to find God everywhere.
The texts assigned for the journey were like helping spirits on my path. Each book led me deeper and deeper. Hannah Hunnard taught me about the perils of the journey with the Good Sheperd while centering prayer taught me about intention and loving God most. Stephanie's writing infused with Love and courage, helping each of us to risk the pain and transformations of becoming whole. The mantras from Stephanie's book filled me with the sound, the Love, of the One who loves us into birth. Her reflections on the Bhagavad Gita taught me to rise up and stand in my truth. The Buddhist, Jack Kornfield, showed me how to develop loving kindness and equanimity. The Sufis showed me how to dance in gratitude for the love of Allah. The Hebrew teachers showed me the ancient power of words and sounds. The shamanic journeys took me to places unknown and blessings unimagined. The community of the Tree of Life nurtured me in sacred circles and blessed me with friendships. Through these two years of study and practice I have come to know to whom I belong, to live with gratitude and purpose and to express my ecstatic cry in three words: YES, THANK YOU! Carol LaChance