UTS

Donna Ferrantello Ph.D.

Spiritual teachers and leaders such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Father Moon have often spoken about how digesting and overcoming painful, suffering experiences will deepen our connection to God's heart. Suffering becomes the “axis-mundi” for the “Jewel” or “Lotus-flower” of Heart. Becoming a chaplain develops inner spiritual strength from overcoming life's painful experiences, and being able to serve others with a "compassionate presence." By developing this gift in your life, your ability to be present to others in relationships within your ministry, your family and your world will be enhanced.

This course will be offered again in Spring 2012.

This course will briefly highlight the purpose, skills and field of Chaplaincy. Using the Clinical Pastoral Education action/reflection model, Chaplains improve the skills of listening, the internal processing of emotions, identifying the feelings and needs of others and the use of storytelling narratives in each person's life that expresses our unique selfhood and coping processes. All interested adult learners are welcome, as well as those considering choosing the journey into Chaplaincy.

I. What is the nature of Chaplaincy as a vocation?

• Being a compassionate presence
• How suffering provides your “axis mundi” for the “Lotus-flower” of Heart
• Various arenas for chaplaincy (hospital, military, police, corporate, etc.)

II. Skills developed in Chaplaincy Training (Clinical Pastoral Counseling Education)

• “Are You Really Listening?” Listening skills in Pastoral Counseling
• “Telling a Story” Use of a person’s “Core Narrative” in Counseling
• “Strategies of Hope” Processing pain and finding hope in the future
• “Healing the patient and Healing the Chaplain” go hand in hand

III. The Application Process in CPE

• Presentation of self and your own core narrative
• Writing your resume: Utilizing church and interfaith experiences
• Recommendations, church endorsement letters and seminary courses; Where to apply? Exploring arenas for chaplaincy

Course Outcomes:

1. To analyze, learn and engage in listening skills for chaplaincy and pastoral counseling which include active, reflective listening, paraphrasing and asking productive questions.
2. To identify and respond to emotions, content and meaning of the speaker’s communication, including identifying external behavioral cues.
3. To identify critical, manipulative communication and engage in skillful responses as counselors and leaders.
4. To identify and process the feelings of the listener/counselor/pastor which includes processing past experiences and transferences.
5. To analyze storytelling language and the use of image, metaphor, key words and emotions of the teller as well as to learn and practice responses of storylistening feedback.
6. To engage in core narrative writing of our own autobiographical story, focusing on theme.
7. To hear about the application process for Clinical Pastoral Education(CPE) and gain resources for the application toward studying CPE and/or entering a seminary chaplaincy program.

Requirements:

Reading assignments, class participation/discussion, exercises, quiz, client case study, and one personal core narrative (autobiographical).

Required Readings:

1. Are You Really Listening? by Paul J.Donoghue, Ph.D. and Mary E. Siegel, (Ave Maria Press; Notre Dame, 2005)
2. Listening and Caring Skills, by John Savage, (Abdingdon Press; Nashville, 1996)
3. Anger, by Thich Nhat Hanh, (Riverhead Books/Penquin Group, New York, 2001)

Supplemental Bibliography:

• Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling by Andrew D. Lester, (Westminster John Knox Press, 2005)
• Shimmering Images/A Handy Little Guide to Memoir Writing, by Lisa Dale Horton (St.Martin’s Press;New York, 2008)
• Extraordinary Relationships/ A New Way of Thinking About Human Relationships, by Roberta M.Gilbert, M.D., (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1992)
• Creating a Healthier Church/Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and Congregational Life, by Ronald W. Richardson, (Fortress Press, Mineapolis, 1996)

Weekly Topics and Assignments

Week 1:

• Read: Are You Really Listening? (read all),
• Read: Listening and Caring Skills (Ch.1)
• Discussion on chaplaincy, counseling and listening skills

Week 2:

• Read Listening and Caring Skills (Ch.2-7)
• (Assignment on Ch.2-7 concepts due 1/29)

Week 3:

• Read Listening and Caring Skills (Ch.8-10)
• (Discussion/ Hand-in of a Client Case Study Due 2/9)
• Class will View Video: “Storytelling and Storylistening”
• (Assignment on Storylistening Due 2/12)

Week 4:

• Read Anger, (Ch. 2, 4, 5, 9. 10; other chapters are optional)
• (Discussion on processing emotions/Assignment Due 2/19

Week 5:

• Single-space Core Narrative
• Sharing of core narratives and feedback discussion.
• Discussion about counseling and chaplaincy application process.

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