SACRED JUSTICE MINISTRY
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
This program is designed for those who feel called to support marginalized communities, regardless
of their spiritual tradition (or no spiritual traditional) Whether you are interested in serving the
homeless, incarcerated, lgbtq+ , refugees or other communities, (or the planet itself) this program
will give you the tools to work at the intersection of social justice and interfaith community ministry.
Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Twenty spots will be available each year.
Summer 2024
Sacred Justice Ministry Cohort
Applications due June 1st, 2024 (tentative)
Coursework begins in August, 2024 (tentative)
Eight 3–day meetings on Zoom
Global Spiritual Traditions 1 & 2
Spiritual Care Concerns
Sacred Justice Ministry Only Modules
Chi Culture & Foundations
Program Orientation &
Our Approach
Spiritual traditions have a long history of supporting “the orphan, widow and stranger.” In attempting to create “beloved community”, each of us must examine our
own social locations, areas of privilege and unconscious biases if we are to become effective allies to those we serve. This program recognizes that each of us are
products of generations of systemic oppression and that many of us live with generational and cultural trauma, as a result. Our approach in this program is to hold
compassion for self and others as we collectively work to bring healing into the world.
Program Structure
Intensive Zoom Weekends
For each intensive weekend, you will sign onto Zoom Friday through Sunday for all-day learning sessions. Classes focus on practical skills, spiritual direction competencies and working with people of particular faith traditions.
During each intensive, a team of core and guest faculty will guide you in an integral learning experience, incorporating theoretical, practical, and creative elements. Class content in the modules flows between didactic and experiential artistic and reflective modalities.
Weekly Collaborative Learning
Each week you will engage with your cohort via zoom meetings to reflect as well as to inspire each other. Two weeks of each month will be for collective reflection on your learning and practicum experiences. The alternating two weeks will be a collaborative learning lab, where each student (over the course of the year) will take turns presenting a teaching on a topic of interest, for the cohort to discuss the vast field that is sacred justice ministry.
Independent Study
In addition to intensive weekend sessions, you will participate in asynchronous classes at your preferred time for the 3 to 6 weeks before attendance on zoom.
You also work independently on reading, practicum, and spiritual practices. You will interact with faculty and classmates via Moodle, email and/or social media.
Intensive Zoom Weekends
For each intensive weekend, you will sign onto Zoom Friday through Sunday for all-day learning sessions. Classes focus on practical skills, spiritual direction competencies and working with people of particular faith traditions.
During each intensive, a team of core and guest faculty will guide you in an integral learning experience, incorporating theoretical, practical, and creative elements. Class content in the modules flows between didactic and experiential artistic and reflective modalities.
Weekly Collaborative Learning
Each week you will engage with your cohort on via zoom meetings to reflect as well as to inspire each other. Two weeks of each month will be for collective reflection on your learning and practicum experiences. The alternating two weeks will be a collaborative learning lab, where each student (over the course of the year) will take turns presenting a teaching on a topic of interest for the cohort to discuss the vast field that is sacred justice ministry.
Core Curriculum
(still under development)
- Religion as a Tool of Oppression
- Prison Ministry
- Religious Wounding & Moral Injury
- Human Sexuality: Histories, Theologies and Politics of the Flesh
- Liberation Theologies & SJ Movements
- Deep Culture & Intersectionality
- Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Circles
- Movement Ministry is More than Marches
- and More….
- Cosmology and Eco-spirituality
- Implications for Theology & Ministry
- Recognizing and Responding to Religious Wounding
- Systemic Oppression & Spiritual Care
- Communal Responses, Ceremonies & Rituals
- Rooting in Resilience: Trauma Informed Spiritual Practices
- Native Traditions
- Taoism
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Coalition Building & Collaboration w/ Secular NonProfits
- NonProfits 101
- Fundamentals of Fundraising
- Tools of Engagement: Utilizing media, LTEs, PSAs, & Action Initiatives
- Prophetic Witness: Lobbying, Public Testimony & State Measures/Initiative
Core Curriculum
- Religion as a Tool of Oppression
- Prison Ministry
- Religious Wounding & Moral Injury
- Human Sexuality: Histories, Theologies and Politics of the Flesh
- Liberation Theologies & SJ Movements
- Deep Culture & Intersectionality
- Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Circles
- Movement Ministry is More than Marches
- and More….
- Cosmology and Eco-spirituality
- Implications for Theology & Ministry
- Recognizing and Responding to Religious Wounding
- Systemic Oppression & Spiritual Care
- Communal Responses, Ceremonies & Rituals
- Rooting in Resilience: Trauma Informed Spiritual Practices
- Native Traditions
- Taoism
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Coalition Building & Collaboration w/ Secular NonProfits
- NonProfits 101
- Fundamentals of Fundraising
- Tools of Engagement: Utilizing media, LTEs, PSAs, & Action Initiatives
- Prophetic Witness: Lobbying, Public Testimony & State Measures/Initiative
Testimonial
“I loved the Sacred Justice class! We definitely need this expanded into its own certificate program. Sacred Justice explored the landscape of many activist movements — deep culture, intersectionality, prison ministry, restorative justice, LGBTQ, peacemaking and more. As an Eco-chaplain in training, I had the opportunity to do a deep dive on how to become a catalyst for transformation in a corporate environment. Rivka is a profound teacher and a master at creating sacred space inclusive for all.”
Course Completion Requirements
Course Completion Requirements
Program Leadership
Rev. Rivka Gevurtz holds a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry and was ordained through The Chaplaincy Institute. Prior to entering the ministry, Rev. Gevurtz worked for over 30 years in interfaith and faith-based social justice organizations ranging from Environmental and LGBTQ issues, to elder and youth services.
How Enrollment Works
1 Application
Once you fill out the form, our admissions team will contacts you with information about the application process.
2 Admissions Interview
Once we receive your application, we schedule a live interview in a virtual format.
3 Acceptance
You receive an acceptance letter and all that is necessary to get started. Plan on 2 months time to prepare for the first course (administrative forms, student handbook, class reading and homework assignments).
How Enrollment Works
1 Application
Once you fill out the form, our admissions team will contacts you with information about the application process.
2 Admissions Interview
Once we receive your application, we schedule a live interview in a virtual format.
3 Acceptance
You receive an acceptance letter and all that is necessary to get started. Plan on 2 months time to prepare for the first course (administrative forms, student handbook, class reading and homework assignments).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
SACRED JUSTICE MINISTRY
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
(510) 843-1422