Are you looking for a spiritual home? You are welcome here.
Classes - Ministerial Program Classes
Emerson Ministerial Seminary at JGSC
Credentialing is through Emerson Theological Institute - Licensing, through Joyful Gathering Spiritual Center
The Vision of the First Graduating Class of 10 New JGSC Ministers in 2020:
To guide and support those who have received the high holy calling to ministry, by facilitating high standards of excellence and integrity.
To provide the highest level of education, deepening of consciousness and an expanded awareness of spirituality. To develop a healing message to the world in whatever directions one is called.
Having an internal “call to ministry” is the first entrance requirement into Joyful Gathering’s Seminary. Once the call has been heard, the following requirements apply:
A Practitioner of Religious Science Credential from Emerson Theological Institute, Centers for Spiritual Living or another recognized Religious Science licensing organization.
A college degree is preferred, but not required.
To enroll in Joyful Gathering’s School of Ministry, contact Reverend Margaret Palagye directly.
Participate in a pre-enrollment interview with JGSC’s Senior Minister.
Enroll in Emerson Theological Institute’s Religious Science Ministerial Degree program (www.emersoninstitute.edu/enrollment/) Reverend Margaret Palagye will have this enrollment application for you.
Hours Requirements - Obtaining a Ministerial Credential consists of two elements:
Units of Instruction – a minimum of 495 Classroom Hours
Service Work Hours – a minimum of 220 Hours
The 495 classroom hours may be obtained through a variety of means including specialized classes taken at JGSC, video/audio classes facilitated at JGSC, Emerson Institute Distance Learning courses, etc. Credit may be given for past coursework or experience.
The 220 Service Work Hours are to be obtained during and after the Ministerial Training. There will be a 6-month internship.
Classroom Hours The classroom hours are divided into seven categories, as identified below
Consciousness of the Ministry -120 hours
Theology
New Thought
Science and Religion (Science and Metaphysics)
Pastoral Care and Ceremonies
Church Admin/Operations
Teaching and Public Speaking
Class I – Call to Ministry
Held: Thursday April 27th – June 15th, 2017
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM
Cost: $200 plus $15 for materials
Facilitator: Rev. Margaret Palagye
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S. Mount Laurel 08054
Book: Callings, Finding and Fallowing an Authentic Life by Gregg Levoy
Course Objective: to provide opportunities to begin the exploration of each ministerial candidate’s individual call to ministry; to access the motivation behind the call; to evaluate and release potential roadblocks to the successful answering of the call; and to articulate the call in a vision of the ministry for each candidate.
Class II – High Consciousness
Held: Thursdays, Sep. 21st – Dec. 14th, 2017
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM
Cost: $265 plus $15 for materials
Facilitator: Rev. Margaret Palagye
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S. Mount Laurel 08054
Book: Entering the Castle by Carolyn Myss
Course Objective: to cultivate the development of the ministerial candidate’s attunement to the inner mystic that is characterized by enhanced vitality, productivity, serenity and joy as the inner and outward aspects of the self, harmonize in union with the Divine; to foster a greater trust in the love and wisdom of the inner reigning God that is already present within, moving from the self-imposed barriers of human experience into “the radiant castle where the true self and ever abiding love reside”. This course is mysticism in action. It is based on the teachings of Saint Teresa of Avila, brought to us in the exercises found in Entering the Castle. It is deep spiritual work that invites the student to shed the old and step into true freedom as a contemporary mystic living in today’s world. It could easily be a prerequisite for Practitioner Studies.
Class III – Spiritual Ethics & Leadership
Held: Thursdays, Jan. 18th – May 3rd, 2018
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: $350 plus books
Facilitator: Rev. Margaret Palagye
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S. Mount Laurel 08054
Books: Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell, Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership by Laurie Beth Jones and The Last Word on Power by Tracy Goss
Course Objective: to gain a strong understanding of what Spiritual Leadership is through readings, reflection, dialog, exercises and case histories and to be supported in developing a high moral code of ethics from which to lead their lives. Ministerial candidates will develop their own personally applicable Spiritual Leadership and Spiritual Codes of Ethics.
Class IV – Homiletics: The Art and Science of Public Speaking
Held: Thursday, September 20th – November 29th, 2018
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: $300 plus book(s)
Facilitator: Rev. Margaret Palagye
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S., Mount Laurel 08054
Book: Based on workbook provided, as well as recommended references: The Science of Mind & Creative Mind and Success, both by Ernest Holmes
Course Objective: to provide the framework for effective sermon selection, research, preparation and delivery for candidates on the ministerial path, equally effective for those who simply have a desire to hone their public speaking skills for personal or professional use.
Class V – Spiritual Psychology
Held: Thursdays, January 17, 2019 – February 21, 2019
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: $150 plus supplies
Facilitator: Joleen Benedict, RScP
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S. Mount Laurel 08054
Book: Psychosynthesis: A Psychology of the Spirit by John Firman and Ann Gila
Course Objective: to introduce the theory and practice of Spiritual Psychology and to acquaint the ministerial candidate with this field so that they have an understanding of how spirituality and psychology are integrated; to expand the understanding of the intersection between our human and spiritual natures.
Class VI – Creating Sacred Ceremonies
Held: Thursdays, September 19, 2019 – November 14, 2019
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: $180 plus $15 for workbook
Facilitator: Rev. Margaret Palagye
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S. Mount Laurel 08054
Book: Sacred Ceremony: How to Create Ceremonies for Healing, Transitions and Celebrations, Stephen Farmer
Course Objective: to gain exposure to a variety of sacred ceremonies through this substantive and highly experiential class through participation in, and the creation of, each ministerial candidate’s own ceremonies; to equip candidates with the tools and the confidence to create their own meaningful, imaginative, transformative, and perhaps even, out-of-the-box ceremonies whenever the need may arise.
Class VII – World Religions
Held: Thursdays, February 6, 2020 through April 2, 2020
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: To be announced
Facilitator: Rev. Margaret Palagye
Where: 925 Larkspur Pl. S.. Mount Laurel 08054
Book: The World Religions, Our Great Wisdom Traditions by Houston Smith
Course Objective: to familiarize and introduce the ministerial candidate to the essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, as well as the Primal Religious traditions emphasizing universality; the inner vs. the institutional dimensions of a particular religion or faith.
Accreditation: Joyful Gathering Spiritual Center is an Affiliate Center of the Emerson Theological Institute, with headquarters in Oakhurst, California. Emerson Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries, which has its executive offices in Beebe, Arkansas, and currently accredits 212 schools in six countries, including the United States.
This is a church-related accreditation. Students taking Emerson Institute classes must not assume that credits taken through it will be accepted by private schools, colleges, universities, businesses or governmental agencies. Prior to taking classes, students are advised to check with their school districts, businesses and other institutions to determine if Emerson Institute credits will be accepted. Emerson Institute is recognized by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education as being a church school teaching a specific belief system and is, therefore, permitted under the laws of California to offer degrees in religious studies and divinity.
