Graduate Seminars
EcoPeace Middle East
As part of the 2021 Season of Creation, GMU sponsored a seminar on October 4, the feast of St.Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, for graduates, students and all interested parties. The role of ecology in building peace in the Middle East was discussed. Len Schreibstein of Temple Emanu-El, San Jose CA, was our guest speaker and presented his temple's sponsorship of "EcoPeace Middle East" and how it exemplifies interfaith and intercultural cooperation to address ecological concerns.
Doctor Sudarshan Kapoor, Professor of Peace Studies at the California State University in Fresno, will speak on "The Interfaith Spiritual Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi" at our next Global Ministries University doctoral seminar on Monday, December 6 at 4 pm Pacific time.  Stay tuned for more details.

You can listen to President Grudzen's previous podcast interview with Dr. Kapoor here.
Building Global Solidarity
The Executive Summary of the International Conference on Building Bridges for Human Solidarity in Light of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti can be found on the Interfaith Studies page of the GMU website.
Building Global Partnerships
Gerry and Marita Grudzen will give a presentation at the World House Global Network at Stanford University on October 29. "A Case Study on the Value of Interfaith Education for building Global Partnerships" will focus on their decade of work in Paths to Peace supporting interfaith dialogue and education in Kenya.
Community Chaplaincy Program
John Jeffery and Susan Shannon have received a grant from the Khyentse/Trisong Foundation to write a book on creating Community Chaplaincy Programs for small faith communities. The Guidebook for Creating Integral Community Companioning Programs for Buddhist and Interfaith Spiritual Communities is an outgrowth of the recently completed GMU Community Chaplaincy Program and will highlight some of the projects of our students.

“It’s vital always to bear in mind that we practise for the sake of all other beings, and that the enormity of this aspiration is what makes dharma practice both extremely powerful and inexhaustible, virtually guaranteeing that the result will be infinitely beneficial.” ― Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse,
Revised Master of Pastoral Ministry Degree
The Master of Pastoral Ministry degree program offers courses in an expanded worldview of a liberating God in contemporary theologies, and the development of new models of partnership in ministry for the 21st century. Course content includes the study of Jesus’ teachings, the growth of diverse faith communities in early Christianity, the role of women in the biblical and the mystical tradition, the history of the sacraments, renewed sacramental rites, spirituality, pastoral care, and social justice. Students use a reflection process that draws on the text, resources and lived experiences for the development of their pastoral ministry.  Learn more!

MPM602 Social Justice and Ethics
This specific course will be taught in a cohort model to foster an interactive learning community It will begin on January 18, 2022, and run for twelve weeks ending on April 5, 2022. The course offers an overview of contemporary social justice issues and develops pastoral strategies for addressing: reproductive justice as a human rights issue, discrimination based on racism, sexism and homophobia; violence and peace-making; environmental justice and economic exploitation. Learn more!
Librarian's Corner
What’s a Peer-Reviewed Journal Article?

We hear a lot of talk today about research and studies appearing in various places; some are described as “peer-reviewed." Especially now, during COVID times, research is frequently rushed into print with the caveat “not yet peer-reviewed.” That’s because peer-reviewing takes time, time we often don’t have during a pandemic. In our field of theology and religious studies, however, the leisurely process of peer-review assures us that the article we’re looking at has undergone an editorial procedure that includes careful analysis by experts in the field.

A peer-reviewed publication is also sometimes referred to as a scholarly publication. The peer-review process subjects an author's scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field (peers) and is considered necessary to ensure academic quality.

In the peer review process, a scholar writes an article and submits it to a publication. The editor of that publication sends the article out to several experts in the field and asks for their opinions, suggestions, recommendations for changes, and—finally—their advice about whether to publish or reject it. Only after the experts have given the OK will the article appear. Students and other scholars who use the resource can rest assured that the article represents a valid and worthwhile contribution to the field of study because it’s been examined by reputable scholars.

Of course, the peer-review process can be misused. In rare cases (mostly in the medical and scientific fields) the “experts” can be solicited by and even paid by large corporations to recommend an article. But in our areas of study here at GMU, peer-reviewed articles can be trusted to reflect valid academic research.

How to find these peer-reviewed articles? Much more about that in future newsletters. Stay tuned!

Questions? Need assistance? Please contact me. ~Judy Clarence, M.L.I.S.
New Degrees and Courses in 2022
In 2022 GMU will initiate a Master of Theology in Religion and Science degrtee in collaboration with the Institute of Science and Religion at Little Flower Seminary in Kerala, India with a cohort of seven students over a two-year period. Fr. Augustine Pamplany, Director of the Institute will coordinate the program with John Raymaker, Ph.D.

GMU board member Anthony Ercolano recommends these two podcasts on the shared perspectives of religion and science. 

Rev. Margie Schneider, a GMU graduate, will conduct a course in Eco-Art & Creation Spirituality. This course will explore and awaken students’ natural creativity through participation in seven eco-art activities, performed within nature and seen through the eyes of Creation Spirituality and its four paths. Such exploration and awakening can surface the authentic self, thereby enabling inner healing. They can also engender a deep sense of sacredness and an appreciation for the oneness of all things, leading to the discovery of a deep and lasting set of values - including a passionate desire to care for the earth, and to address the sacred connection one should have with her, with all her creatures, and especially, with the Creator.
President Gerald Grudzen will offer an interfaith course on the History of God in early 2022. The course will span five weeks, with once weekly Zoom sessions, and draw upon readings from Karen Armstrong’s book, The History of God, as well as material authored by Dr. Grudzen. 

To promote outstanding scholarship at GMU the course will be offered for only the $25 registration fee. If the student chooses to continue with GMU the course may be counted for credit toward a certificate or degree program. Stay tuned for registration information.
Affiliated Websites



The Center for Celebrant Training announces lower tuition for both wedding and funeral tracks. Find out more!
PCS Forum - November 11, 2021
Womanist Church

Presenters: Rev. Dr. Irie Lynne Session, Rev. Kamilah Hall Sharp, and Rev. Dr. Jann Aldredge-Clanton.

A womanist church has great power to transform church and society, primarily because womanist theology centers the experiences of Black women while working for the survival and wholeness of all people and all creation. Experiences of the triple oppression of racism, sexism, and classism give Black women an epistemological insight into recognizing injustice and creating solutions that benefit all. Click here for more information and how to join.
In Gratitude
Generous contributions from our extended GMU family make possible our innovative new initiatives on a global scale. Your support will keep GMU at the vanguard of online theological education for the 21st Century.