August 30, 2021
After two weeks, the polls closed on August 25th for the election of ACPE’s representatives to the Implementation Workgroup. I am grateful to 654 members who took the time to consider the ballot and vote. Out of 1714 eligible voters, we achieved about a 38% participation rate which is consistent with our voter turnout the last couple of elections.
The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) would like to share the open positions for ACPE’s annual elections. While we know changes may lie ahead depending on how members vote about the proposal to consolidate our work with APC, we will continue to do the work of ACPE as we have until new forms call for different structures.
While scouting locations and reviewing hotel contract proposals for the Joint 2022 Annual Conference with APC, the joint planning committee grew concerned about the safety, cost, and logistics of hosting an in-person event this spring. With a deep sense of sadness, the committee recommended to the board that we host the 2022 Joint Annual Conference virtually.
The Certification Commission is happy to announce a new Theory Integration Mentor Training group which will be led by Jonathan Ball, ACPE Certified Educator at Northside Hospital and a current Theory Integration Mentor.
There is increasing recognition that research literacy is an essential tool in the overall chaplaincy skill set. But how do we teach research literacy to CPE students?

We invite you to bring your questions, ideas, resources, and teaching strategies to this Curriculum Resource Room to help all of us deepen our skills in this arena on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 2:30 pm to 2:00 pm Eastern.
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL) aims to help connect individuals with meaningful spiritual care by supporting and helping train chaplains. CIL’s free resources for faculty and students include eBooks, webinars (both live and recorded), and syllabi. CIL can also partner with you to build password-protected pages on the Lab’s website to centrally gather resources you and your colleagues’ need to teach specific courses, clinical units, and communities of students. 
In Case You Missed It
The 2021 Foundation for ACPE Grants Cycle is now open! Interested applicants are invited to submit a Letter of Inquiry for an Innovative Program Award or MAP Fund Award.

The August Article of the Month explores religious and spiritual struggles among transgender and gender-nonconforming adults, and the article may also be useful for chaplains to consider the practical value and utility of cross-sectional data.
The #ACPEproud Store Remains Open
Did you already get your #ACPEproud gear? It's not too late! The #ACPEproud store will remain open through September 30, 2021.

Once a month the ACPE Professional Ethics Commission (PEC) posts a couple of statements from our Code of Professional Ethics for ACPE Members.
We invite all ACPE Certified Educators who are working with Educator Candidates to join us for informal consultations. The drop-in meeting will take place on the first and third Mondays of the month, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm Eastern time.
Weekly Highlights
This Week's Reflection
Some poems were made for a more public venue. Such is the case of a “micropoem,” a poetic form that is meant for call and response. Jennifer Karmin writes of this poem, "I am most interested in poems that can be simultaneously experimental and inclusive. Solidarity over hierarchy. We know that working people experiment every day to manage our lives. Paying our rent, feeding our families, and navigating the healthcare system all take a lot of innovation.”
one has to have
a reason for living
a guiding philosophy
a purpose
a goal
the best way
to communicate
an idea
is to act it out
no work
no eat
i want to have something to say
about my own destiny
something i care about
something of value
something important

*Coda: The Human Micropoem is a call and response choral form. It amplifies the speaker’s words by those listening. The poet says a line aloud and then everyone repeats it. Micropoeming was collectively devised by Chicago writers during the Occupy Movement of 2011. We continue to perform together in public spaces and hold the words of others in our mouths.

Copyright © 2021 by Jennifer Karmin. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on August 20, 2021, by the Academy of American Poets. Accessed at https://poets.org/poem/work-ode-human-micropoem?mc_cid=f796869aa0&mc_eid=368b8bdf0f.
Amy Greene shared this beautiful piece with us from friends at Congregation Bet Havarim Chorus. As ACPE has delayed coming together face to face amidst the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, this song feels like a healing salve full of promise and hope: 

Robert Leavitt is finishing his last unit as a Resident at the Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center CPE Center in Spokane, Washington with CE Unyong Statwick. He wrote the poem, "Born of the Cracks."

This Week on the Calendar
August 30
Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism)
This day celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar, or incarnation, of Vishnu. Upon his birth, his life was threatened by his uncle, King Kansa, who believed that Krishna was fated to kill him. Kansa ordered that Krishna be brought to him, but the baby was miraculously carried away to a safe hiding place. Hindus celebrate this day with a large feast. Sweets are given to children, and a clay statue of Krishna is worshipped.

September 4 - 11
Paryushana (Jainism)
Eight days earmarked for intensive spiritual pursuit. During these days Jains observe fasts to the possible extent and undertake religious activities like going to temple, listening to spiritual discourses and practice equanimity. The last day of Paryushan is observed as the sacred day of introspection and forgiveness. 

September 6 - 8
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown (Judaism) 
Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Day of Judgment, is the Jewish New Year. It is the beginning of a ten-day period of “return” that includes heightened reflection on one’s actions over the past year.
This Week in our Thoughts
  • no news to report

Visit the ACPE Memorials and Milestones page for more details. Please email webmaster@acpe.edu to add someone to our thoughts.
CAREER & RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES
The position is responsible for the ACPE accreditation and optimal functioning of the CPE Program and coordinates the work of the CPE educators.
Seeking CPE candidates for an extended 18 week internship.
Other Educational Opportunities
ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education
ACPE is the standard for spiritual care and education. Our diverse membership includes Certified CPE Educators, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapists, Spiritual Care Professionals and Practitioners, Pastoral Counselors, Chaplains, Faith Communities, and Seminaries. Our multi-disciplinary, multi-faith, multi-racial community of professionals provides education, connection, and formation through continuing education, networking, and leadership development.
 
ACPE is the premier, Department of Education recognized, organization that provides the highest quality CPE programs for spiritual care professionals of any faith and in any setting. We do this through a rigorous accreditation and certification process for centers and educators that provide CPE.
 
The depth of our training enables students to realize their full potential to strengthen the spiritual health of people in their care as well as themselves.
 
ACPE members are actively engaged in a wide variety of professional development activities including communities of practice, conferences, spiritual care research, and informal networking. We are more than just an association: we are a movement committed to the transformation of the human suffering.Our opportunities for formation and community enrich our member's work of healing and transforming people and communities in the US and across the globe.