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ACPE's Monday Briefing is a weekly digest from ACPE Executive Director Trace Haythorn.
Each week you will receive related articles and updates on ACPE transitions. Also included are helpful links to keep you connected, better informed, and well-resourced for the week ahead.
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Update on International Visas for ACPE Students/SES
Many of you have encountered the frustrating world of international visas. We want to give you several pieces of information to help clarify where we are, how we can help, and legal advice for next steps:
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- ACPE continues to sponsor J-1 visas. We are allocated up to 20 new visas each year, though that number can vary. Once an international student has been accepted by an ACPE Center for a single unit or for a residency, the student should contact Kimberly Yates in the national office. For more information, click here.
- ACPE cannot renew a J-1 visa. Anyone currently on a J-1 must return to their home country for 2 years before they are eligible for a new J-1. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE FROM WHAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED. It is not a choice of ACPE; this is coming from the US State Department. To our knowledge, all appeals of the J-1's 18-month stay limit have been denied.
- Because the J-1 no longer works for SES/CEC folks, we asked Alexander Volpe, an expert in student and religious visas, to offer an opinion of our best options. His letter is here. ACPE is happy to provide letters of support, consultation, and recommendations for these options; we are not, however, able to provide funding for legal fees, travel, or applications.
- Some folks have been successful in obtaining an H1-B visa. We are happy to support such efforts; however, please be advised that the newest guidance for such visas is that the recipient must earn at least $100,000 (thus making them even harder to obtain).
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As the ancient curse says, we live in interesting times. ACPE remains committed to the global diversity that even now enriches our association and the students served by our members. Please let us know if you have questions or need more information.
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ACPE Election: Polls Open October 30-November 6
Hopefully you have been following our election news the last few weeks. We heard concerns from some members after the last election so are introducing a new election service to deliver ballots. Polls will also be open longer for an entire week from Monday, October 30, at 10am eastern to Monday, November 6, at 10am eastern.
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Mark Your Calendars!
The Ghana Association of Pastoral Care and Counselling (GAPCC) invites one and all to the Pan-African Spiritual Care Conference next year. Click on the link to learn more.
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A Poem for Reflection
The regional meetings I have attended have provided a rich and emotional mix of grief, remembrance, celebration, anticipation, anxiety and curiosity. A friend shared the following poem at a recent event I attended, and I thought it spoke beautifully to ACPE's present moment:
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"blessing the boats" by Lucille Clifton
(at St. Mary's)
may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that
Lucille Clifton, "blessing the boats" from Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000.
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Something Extra
Another gem from Soul Pancake: you may have seen earlier seasons of this show, but now Justin is back with "The Science of Empathy." Could be a great discussion starter: The Ultimatum Game | The Science of Empathy.
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This Week on the Calendar
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Tuesday, October 24
*United Nations Day
*Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji - Sikhism
This day commemorates the martyrdom of the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus (1621-1675 C.E.). He is remembered for defending the Sikh faith, as well as the rights of Hindus and the cause of religious liberty.
Wednesday, October 25
*Jnana Panchami - Jainism
On this fifth day of the Jain new year, some believers begin a 36-hour fast and offer prayers and rituals in order to seek right knowledge and transcendent wisdom.
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