The inter-religious ministry practicum is a nine-month experiencial course offering information and practice for persons wishing to engage in inter-religious ministry. Meeting the second Saturday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and the next morning (Sunday) from 8:30 AM to 10:45 AM. Students will Explore the role of Interfaith Ministry and will practice leadership skills for community events, life cycle events, spiritual practices, and assisting those in spiritual crisis. Students will maintain an open journal in which they record insights, opinions, conflicts, discomfort, joys, spiritual writing, and concerns about ministry. The course will have required reading, a monthly paper, three required Sunday workshops in the afternoons noted below. Alumni, ministers, directors, professionals, are encouraged to participate. The Saturday evening presentations and three workshops are open to the public.

Session 1
April 12
Saturday, 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation: (Open to the Public)
Inter-Religious Ministry and Worship: The Emergence of Dialogue, Worship, and Service
Discover the world of interfaith and inter-religious interaction. Explore the common questions asked about inter-religious activities.
Is there a calling for inter-religious dialogue?
Is it possible to pray and to worship together?
Does inter-religious dialogue deepen faith? Can it create chaos?
What are common errors we make in our efforts to understand each other and to lessen the anxieties of being different?
What reactions are common on the part of religious leaders in response to the call for participation in inter-religious services?
Will inter-religious dialogue lead to efforts to develop a new spirituality? Is this desired and if so, by whom?

This presentation will provide the many opportunities, questions, and concerns about interfaith services and interfaith ministry as they emerge in our secular and spiritual communities.

April 13
Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
The Concept of a Call: Serving God. Discovering your gifts.
What brought you to an inter-religious ministry program? What are you seeking?
Is there such a thing as a call to inter-religious leadership? What are four aspects of a call? How did you know (if you did/do) you were called? Has your calling been affirmed?

Session 2
May 10
Saturday, 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Inter-religious Worship Sampler: Connecting with and Worshiping God
Discover the differences and commonalities within and between religious followers as they worship their Supreme Being. Rev. Sacha will explain religious practices from around the world and will offer those who are present an opportunity to engage in or observe some of these practices.
Experience the differences between contemplation, meditation, and prayer.
Learn how various religions use music, chanting, silence, liturgical dancing, and healing touch to deepen an individuals connection to their Supreme Being.
Have an opportunity to ask questions and/or offer your thoughts.

May 11
Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
Leading an inter-religious service/community event.
Experience the differences between contemplation, meditation, and prayer. Lead a brief meditation, contemplation, or prayer. Examine the different forms of prayer within and between religions. Experience inter-religious chants and music from persons of the Buddhist, Christian, Islam, Hindu, Jewish, Native, and Taoist traditions.
Learn the basics of planning an interfaith event and service. Explore your comfort level with ritual, meditation, chanting and religious scripture and practices.
Sign up to co-plan and co-lead a service at MTMP with Rev. Sacha.

Session 3
June 14
Saturday, 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Interfaith Marriage, Part 1: Should This Marriage Take Place?
Although interfaith marriages are common, couples who marry can rarely find neutral parties to assist them as they struggle with the problems unique to an interfaith marriage. Often, as difficulties emerge, the couple may choose to avoid the discussion of issues between themselves or others as they fear the “I told you so” responses and their own “I should have known better” recriminations. However, if the underlying spiritual foundation of their religious beliefs is used well, these marriages can strengthen and deepen the individual’s commitment to God and to one another.
In this presentation you will learn the basis for negative reactions to interfaith marriages. Religious beliefs, practices, and scriptures from world traditions will be shared as they pertain to the stress within an interfaith marriage. Attendees will be given information to assist them in assessing the pros and cons of an interfaith relationship.

June 15 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
Examine and share your beliefs and experiences with interfaith marriages. Discover the situations that suggest an interfaith marriage is not recommended. Learn to discern the “red flags” that indicate the need for pre-marital counseling for an interfaith couple. Learn the role you wish to play in the discernment and sharing of what you observe and understand.
Learn how to do the pre-marital questionnaire: the content, the purpose, and the importance for conducting a smooth inter-religious wedding service.
Discern and prepare for potential conflicts within and between family members. Examine how to facilitate compromise without sacrificing important faith practices. Obtain resources for performing an interfaith service. Observe a video of an interfaith service.

Session 4
July 12
Saturday 6:30-8-30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Interfaith Marriage, Part 2: Can this Marriage be Saved?
Most of us have heard the saying, “The family that prays together stays together”. Although this saying is not substantiated by data, how do couples of like religions fare compared to couples in interfaith marriages? Are interfaith marriages at a higher risk for divorce than same faith marriages?
In this presentation, you will learn about the common problems experienced by couples in interfaith marriages as well as discover the common areas of conflict within most marriages.
Learn what is normal in terms of feelings, thoughts, and beliefs that often create the quicksand surrounding the bedrock of love.
Explore the difficulties and blessings of the interfaith marriage. Examine the questions to ask yourself before approaching one another with a concern about religious differences.

July 13 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and experiential learning
Learn how to support an interfaith couple as they plan the wedding, celebrate religious holidays and rites of passage, the births of their children, and decisions regarding their children’s spiritual upbringing. Explore your own gifts and counseling skills and how to discern when to refer a couple to another religious leader or professional therapist.
Learn how to look for the shared yearning of the couple for intimacy to move from conflict to a mutual goal. Learn to re-frame the struggles from indications of dysfunction to opportunities for growth and a calling to deepen spiritual awareness and commitment.

Session 5
August 9
Saturday 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Challenges to Faith: Illness, Tragedies, Death, and Suffering
When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Religious Views
When we are young, our parents often encourage good behavior with the promise that good things happen to good people. When bad things happen to good people, a parent may then tell a child that the Lord acts in mysterious ways. This is never more apparent than in those times when good people suffer tragedies and hardships and/or bad people reap financial or social rewards. The mystery of injustice in the face of a belief system that glorifies a loving God has resulted in many religious explanations for human suffering. Learn how diverse religious values and beliefs address illness, tragedy, and suffering.
Join us for this presentation on Challenges to Faith and ways to survive and thrive. Also learn how our beliefs, and the timing of our expression of these beliefs, may effect those we are trying to comfort.

August 10 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
Discover your views of illness, death and dying. Gain sensitivity to the coping stages of denial, depression, bargaining, anger and acceptance.
Discuss the impact of addictions, afflictions, and calamity on your belief system.
Learn ways to help people cope, heal, and seek therapy when necessary.
Learn how religious beliefs influence the explanation for, response to, and spiritual practices desired by the person or family.
Learn what not to do at the bedside of an ill person.
A speaker who is either suffering from a terminal illness or who has recovered will present on their experiences with helpful and not so helpful ministers and medical practitioners.

Session 6
September 13
Saturday 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Challenges to Faith: Those Moments Before, During, and After A Death
Mourning Loneliness: Coping with Terminal Illnesses and Loss
The intense feelings that follow the death of a loved one are often difficult to express with feelings and/or words. Added to this difficulty are the erroneous beliefs people hold about “being strong, moving on with life, and not breaking down.”
Join us to learn about “normal” reactions to the behavior of those who mourn, the leaders at the service, and our own feelings, thoughts, and beliefs.
Examine the stages of loss and what helps in each stage.
Learn how the cultural practices and beliefs affect length, rituals, and styles of mourning. Gain insight into the misunderstandings which can occur at the time of death and interment due to cultural and religious differences.

September 14 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
Explore inter-religious ceremonies and practices for funerals and mourning.
Explore possible emotional responses of yourself and those involved in the service. Learn appropriate responses to the emotional expressions of those present.
Recognize the possibility of family tension, late arrivals, and persons who do not pay respects.
Receive examples of services, suggested formats for an interfaith service, and ways to avoid hostilities between practitioners of different religions.
View documentaries about funeral ceremonies from several faith traditions.

Session 7
October 11
Saturday 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation

October 11: 6:30-7:30 PM (Open to the Public)
Challenges to Faith: Betrayal by Loved Ones: Marital, Friendship, Family
How Could this Happen to Me? Those Crazy Times!
If you have ever been betrayed, you know the feeling of being “crazy” that can follow. Learn about reactions to betrayal and why the aftermath is often called “crazy time”. Discover the common responses to betrayal and how to regain trust in yourself, others, God and your universe.

October 11:7:30-8:30 PM (Open to the Public)
Challenges to Faith: Betrayal by Trusted Servants: Clergy and Other Helping Professionals
Why They Get Away with It: The Dance of the Deceiver
Everyday and in every way we read or hear about the betrayal of trust by CEO’s, parents, clergy, financial managers, and other helping professionals. Underneath every betrayal there are principles that the abuser of power learns to follow.
Join us as we discuss the abuse of power and our unintentional collusion with power abusers.
The emphasis of this program will be on clergy who abuse.

October 12 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
Become aware of the beliefs and perceptions of various religious communities to trauma, betrayal and injustice, and suffering.
Examine how your beliefs affect those with whom you work. Recognize how religious beliefs can assist in either blaming or healing for the victims.
Examine the views on causality within various religious beliefs. Experience role-playing that blames or heals.
Examine the role ministry as one of control and power as well as compassion and guidance. Discover how to empower those you guide.
Examine your own comfort with authority. Explore the use and misuse of power through intention, ignorance, or collusion by a follower/congregant.
Learn to avoid power pitfalls. Engage in experiential exercises involving subtle and not so subtle power imbalances.

Session 8
November 8
Saturday 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Celebrations of Faith: Part 1: Holy Days
For the November presentation, the practicum students will present on religious Holy Days from various world wisdom traditions. You are invited to join them as they provide an overview of the origin of the Holy Day, how it is celebrated, and the spiritual meaning it holds in its country of origin.

November 9 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and Experiential Learning
There will be a continuation of presentations of Holy Days of the major living religions.
Students will be asked to apply their learning from the World Wisdom Tradition program as they share their understanding of the Holy Day and the meaning it has for them.

Session 9
December 13
Saturday 6:30-8:30 PM: Lesson/Presentation (Open to the Public)
Celebrations of Faith: Part 2: Inter-religious Life Passages: Christening, Baptism, Communion and Coming of Age Services
Gain insight into inter-religious life passage ceremonies as Rev. Sacha presents on the importance of Life Passages ceremonies to the religious community and the seekers. The students of the Ministry Practicum will study a specific Life Passages Ceremony and these individuals will present their area of research and demonstrate ceremonies from diverse faiths.

December 14 Ministry Practicum Students Only
Sunday, 8:30-10:45 AM: Dialogue and experiential learning
Study the birth and initiation ceremonies from various religious paths. Learn the meaning, the symbolism, the procedures and the setting. Demonstrate your knowledge by writing a Christening service that includes both a naming and baptism.

Ministry Practicum Students: Additional Required Workshops:
Also Open to the Public

April 13, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
What the Alcoholic Can’t Tell You and the Loved One Doesn’t Know:
The Vicious Spiral into Spiritual Bankruptcy
(April is National Alcohol Awareness Month)

October 12, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Why They Get Away With It: The Dance of the Deceiver and their Dance Partners
A Workshop on the Abusers of Power and Their Partners
(October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month/ Crime Prevention Month)

November 9, 2:00 PM- 4:30 PM
Terminal Illnesses, Death, and Dying: The Stages of Coping: The Responses of the Patient and Their Loved Ones: The Ultimate Surrender
(November is National Hospice Month)

The Inter-religious Ministry Practicum is facilitated by Reverend Sandra Bier, M.A. She is an Ordained Interfaith Minister, who presently serves on the leadership team at Lakeshore Interfaith Institute, and as a spiritual facilitator at Sacred Space in Grand Rapids. She was ordained as an interfaith minister in August 2002 by the All Faiths Seminary International in New York City. Prior to her ordination, Sacha, served as a lay minister for twenty years for Unity Churches in the Grand Rapids area. For the last thirty years, she has practiced as a psychotherapist and has a part-time private practice, Sandra Bier and Associates, at Sacred Space in Grand Rapids. She is the past president and newsletter editor for the Association of Women Therapists in Grand Rapids. She has a bachelor's degree in Sociology, a master's degree in Clinical Psychology, and has done doctoral work in Counseling Psychology.