Global Ministries University Calendar for October

 

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Global Responsibility

President Grudzen will give a presentation on "Religion and Science" at the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) conference in Costa Rica in November 2023.

GMU's Master's Degree Program in Religion and Science has led to international interfaith dialogue and collaboration among its students with the freeware, cross-platform, centralized instant messaging and voice-over-IP service, WhatsApp. GMU is building bridges of understanding and cooperation through education!

Peace Studies

Last Chance to Register for "Mahatma Gandhi and Building a Just Peace"

“Blessed Are the Peacemakers, for They Will Be Called Children of God” (Matt 5:9) When you read headlines about war and conflicts, have you ever thought, "What can I do?" Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, Professor Emeritus of Social Work Education & Peace Studies at CSU Fresno, CA, will conduct a 4-week series on "Mahatma Gandhi and Building a Just Peace" on Zoom beginning Monday, October 2, 2023, to coincide with Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday and the International Day of Non-Violence. The suggested tuition for the entire series is $100 plus a $25 application fee. You can also join individual Zoom sessions for $25 each. However, because this is such an important topic to address the violence in today's world, GMU will accept whatever tuition you can pay plus the $25 application fee. Learn more.

"Life is not a contest or a conquest. It is a struggle and a quest to find the best in each and every one of us." ~ Sudarshan Kapoor

Apply now.

Librarian's Corner

Why Write a Research Paper? This question is asked, at least inwardly, by every high school, college or university student who’s required to write one. The task of compiling an academic research paper may seem meaningless, daunting, tedious, like “busy work,” something there will likely never be a need to do again, once that diploma is firmly in hand. So why do those teachers and professors assign it? Here are a few reasons: • Developing one’s writing skills is a vital part of our education. The ability to communicate our thoughts clearly in writing is essential in nearly every occupation as well as in daily living. As we write, we organize our thinking, making ourselves understandable to our readers. • Improving our ability to read and comprehend complicated texts enables us to understand more sophisticated ways of thinking and self-expression.  • Finding deep enjoyment and satisfaction in the very act of learning as we discover more and more about the topic we’ve chosen, or that was assigned, brings a sense of deep fulfillment. • Learning to do serious, scholarly research creates the ability to enhance critical thinking skills. Knowing how to find and evaluate sources of information, to discern the difference between verifiable, well-documented studies and random rumors and speculative reflections, helps us to detect fraud, bias, and falsehoods.  • Figuring out how and when to cite our sources teaches us the importance of attribution. When we quote or cite other writers, we’re giving them the credit due for their scholarly work. • Exploring and synthesizing ideas from multiple sources, then coming up with a unique interpretation of the results, allows us to offer, from our own perspective, our contribution to the world’s knowledge.  Keep these points in mind when you’re next asked to write a paper, and it will emerge not as a dull task, but as an adventure in creativity. Questions? Comments? Reflections? I’m here…just click on the link! ~Judy Clarence, M.L.I.S., GMU Librarian Under a canopy of towering redwoods in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz (California) mountains, GMU Librarian Judy Clarence’s son Colin Mosher and Cristiane Magalhaes were married Saturday, September 16th. Adhering to the spirit of GMU, the couple were united in a ceremony performed by GMU President Gerry Grudzen and Marita Grudzen, celebrants. The event brought together two continents. Colin is California-born; Cris comes from Brazil. In attendance were friends and family members from as far away as Sao Paolo, New Orleans, and Utah. Both Colin and Cris are architects and make their home in San Francisco.

Chaplaincy Consultant

Marita Grudzen is returning to Stanford as a consultant for their chaplaincy program.

Promoting Equality at the Synod

Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, Dean of GMU's D.Min/M.Div. Programs, will travel to Rome Oct. 5-15 to promote women priests in a renewed model of priestly ministry in a community of equals. She will speak at the Spirit Unbounded international program on Friday, Oct.13, before keynote speakers: Joan Chittister and Mary MacAleese.

New GMU Courses and Programs

Dr. Nazar Sloboda will give a seminar on religion and politics within Orthodox Christianity in January 2024. Dr. Sloboda recieved a Doctorate in Sacred Theology Ecumenism and Dialogue from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum), Rome, Italy. He will direct GMU graduate studies programs in Orthodox theology and history.

Community Chaplaincy Negotiations are underway for collaboration with All Faiths Seminary on a Community Chaplaincy Program. (Stay Tuned for updates.)  Learn more about GMU's Chaplaincy Programs.

GMU Partners

The Center for Celebrant Training shows you how to conduct religious/nonreligious wedding ceremonies and funeral services completely online and at a very low cost. It's possible to complete the program in ten weeks but you have the freedom to work at your own pace.  The CCT awards you a Certificate of Celebrancy from Global Ministries University upon completion of the program! Visit the Center for Celebrant Training.

People's Catholic Seminary...a Journey to Spiritual Transformation, Empowerment & Equality The Mission of People’s Catholic Seminary is to provide educational programs that foster an expanded worldview of our liberating God of compassion present in all and working for justice for all through systemic change. As co-creators and companions on a journey, we share the wisdom of God in our sacred texts, theologies, sacred practices, sacramental celebrations, and lived experiences.

Visit the PCS Website.

Accreditation Update

Self-evaluation is currently being undertaken as the first step in pursuing accreditation. We will keep you updated on GMU's progress.

Calling All Alumnae/Alumni

Please take a moment to answer the questions in our survey. It will only take a minute or two and will help GMU respond to your needs and the needs of future students. Thank you so much for your help!

Take the survey.