SAN ANSELMO, Calif. Beginning January 2014, San Francisco Theological Seminary is offering a new certificate program in Trauma and Spiritual Care. This program will provide working professionals in both clinical and pastoral settings with the skills to incorporate spirituality into the healing counsel they provide to trauma victims.

Trauma has a way of shattering the foundations of one's spiritual life and shaking one's sense of trust and hope. At the same time, spirituality is at the core of genuine healing of traumatic experiences.

Recognizing the prevalence of trauma and the importance of spirituality as a mechanism of healing, this certificate will provide pastors, counselors, first responders, nurses, and countless others with the tools to heal trauma victims spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

For more information visit http://sfts.edu/news/view_event.asp?ID=347. Enrollment information is at http://sfts.edu/academics/cert_trauma_and_spiritual_care.asp. For questions, contact Vanessa Hawkins at 415.451.2816 or Susan Lawlor at 415.451.2820.

DECATUR, Ga. The Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary is adding a new program in spirituality, the Certificate in Spiritual Direction, beginning in 2015.

The Certificate in Spiritual Direction is a two-year training program for those seeking to discern their call and develop their skills and gifts as spiritual directors. Grounded in the tradition of Christian spirituality, the program includes four intensive weeklong classes, individual readings and reflections, and a practicum with supervision.

Spiritual direction is an intentional relationship between a person seeking spiritual guidance (the directee) and a trained individual (the spiritual director). Together with the Holy Spirit, they listen for and explore the workings of God in the directees life.

People enter into spiritual direction for different reasons, says seasoned spiritual director, Lalor Cadley. Sometimes, they seek to revive their flagging spirit, to seek new direction for their lives, to heal from distorted images of God, to live through times of pain and suffering, to connect more intimately with the Divine, or simply to have someone with whom to share the joys and struggles of faith.

For more information on the Certificate in Spiritual Direction contact Deedra Rich, associate director of spirituality, at richd@ctsnet.edu or 404-687-4557.

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