Education and Training
Education, membership, and leadership flow together at the All Faiths Movement, enabling very different people to work together, live side by side, and accomplish change in the real world in unity without compromising who they are. We offer four years of education, each ending in a certificate. These are:
The Intro Program: A one year program designed to enable the participant to be culturally literate, inclusive, and respectful when engaging in our community, while offering basic spiritual and personal ritual skills. This program is meant to be all the training a person needs in order to travel and do a personal practice anywhere, as well as lead a small family or just themselves in their own progress. Every apprenticeship is designed so that the person can repeat them on their own yearly for the rest of their lives and still grow from the content and this is no exception. Many decide to go through this apprenticeship content on their own or with their families at least a second time. We have also had members create private study groups to go through it again together as a refresher.
The Year of Shadow: Most issues of abuse in the spiritual and religious fields come from people not really knowing themselves, their personal culture in the context of a community, and their true motives. The year of shadow is a year of getting to know oneself deeply. It also offers training on self-healing techniques, ceremony, and support from others going through the process. This training is NOT for the faint of heart and is probably the most emotionally taxing apprenticeship we offer. It takes you to your deepest struggle and enables you to face it, however, we never force anyone to do anything. When some people face themselves, they heal and flourish. Others reject themselves and often lash out either towards themselves or others. Though the facilitators and the community are there to support you, they will not violate your free will, so they will point out trouble and help you when possible if you ask, but they won't try to prevent you from experiencing the consequences of your choices. Many people experience this apprenticeship as a coming of age or coming into their personal power fully. Often they express surprise that they hadn't already done so! The Year of Shadow training has a prerequisite of completing the Introduction program. After completing the Year of Shadow, a person is required to take a year of reflection in which they are participating in the community regularly but are not being formally trained further. We have found this year of reflection to be vital to integration of what is learned in the Year of Shadow. At the completion of this year of rest, they are then eligible for a commitment ceremony into the group, the completion of which makes them an official member of the All Faiths Movement. At that time, the person may represent our community and do volunteer positions as part of the organization which do not require healing or leadership skills.
The Wheel of Healing: The wheel of healing is designed for those who wish to do healing work on or with others. People who are ready for this training are seeking to do ceremony or healing work for others, work with plants and herbs, do workshops, and other forms of healing. It combines a year’s worth of plant and animal medicines with basic training on the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical body using traditional holistic theories from Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and folk healing in Appalachia (from an Irish-American perspective). Also included are basic ceremonial techniques, information on handling people healing from trauma, and practice with difficult situations. We also address our community ethics and scope of practice for our healers. At the completion of this training, the participant may choose to have a public ceremony where their commitment to being the embodiment of a healing presence in the world as a representative of (and in service to) the community is made clear. At that time they may be listed in our materials as a resource for the community and we may refer to them. At the conclusion of this training, depending on the participants location and locally applicable laws, they may qualify as a professional energy healer, holistic practitioner, spiritual healer, or even an herbalist. This is probably our most work-intensive training. It has the prerequisite of completing the prior two years of training and having completed the initiation and commitment. Upon completion of The Wheel of Healing training, the person is able to run groups and workshops, as well as do other tasks as part of the organization that involve facilitation and healer skill sets.
Leadership Mentorship: To be considered for leadership mentoring, all three prior years of training must be completed in full and will be reviewed prior to acceptance into mentorship. The leadership training in our community is less a class and more a list of necessary skills coupled with appropriate mentorship. What we really need to know is whether the participant is able to perform the skills a leader must perform with integrity and compassion even when they are tired or don't have time to prepare. Thus, a participant is assigned a mentor with whom they’ll work closely. Then, a list of necessary abilities and skills is reviewed to see what training that individual needs. The participant is also expected to complete an adequate number of practice hours both (1) observing the leadership demonstrated by their mentor at events and discussing it afterwards and (2) leading under the direction of their mentor, again with discussion. At the completion of this program and at the discretion of leadership, the participant may be offered a chance to be ordained. Completing this training without ordination enables a person to do limited leadership roles within the community that do not require ordination.
Ordination: Ordination comes after all four years have been completed, both ceremonies have been completed, and the person shows an ongoing, active engagement in the community. Should the person wish to be ordained, they should express this intention to their mentor at the beginning of their leadership mentorship. Upon completion of all of the above, the person’s history and details will be reviewed by the board to see whether they are a good fit for ordination (the primary function of this is to make sure the person meets federal, state, and community guidelines for ordination). Then they will complete an assessment partially administered by each board member which reviews the material from the approximate four years of training prior. The board will review all this information and if there is no reason to prevent an ordination, this will be done in a community ceremony and a certificate will be provided. Ordination expires every two years and must be reviewed by the board to be renewed. Only ordained persons may serve on the board except in extenuating circumstances. Board positions are reviewed every five years.
Further Training: Some of our positions in the community require further training, regular meetings, or continuing education. Also, a sub-group of our organization may choose to have an additional training program to be able to serve their group for people in service or leadership positions.
The Intro Program: A one year program designed to enable the participant to be culturally literate, inclusive, and respectful when engaging in our community, while offering basic spiritual and personal ritual skills. This program is meant to be all the training a person needs in order to travel and do a personal practice anywhere, as well as lead a small family or just themselves in their own progress. Every apprenticeship is designed so that the person can repeat them on their own yearly for the rest of their lives and still grow from the content and this is no exception. Many decide to go through this apprenticeship content on their own or with their families at least a second time. We have also had members create private study groups to go through it again together as a refresher.
The Year of Shadow: Most issues of abuse in the spiritual and religious fields come from people not really knowing themselves, their personal culture in the context of a community, and their true motives. The year of shadow is a year of getting to know oneself deeply. It also offers training on self-healing techniques, ceremony, and support from others going through the process. This training is NOT for the faint of heart and is probably the most emotionally taxing apprenticeship we offer. It takes you to your deepest struggle and enables you to face it, however, we never force anyone to do anything. When some people face themselves, they heal and flourish. Others reject themselves and often lash out either towards themselves or others. Though the facilitators and the community are there to support you, they will not violate your free will, so they will point out trouble and help you when possible if you ask, but they won't try to prevent you from experiencing the consequences of your choices. Many people experience this apprenticeship as a coming of age or coming into their personal power fully. Often they express surprise that they hadn't already done so! The Year of Shadow training has a prerequisite of completing the Introduction program. After completing the Year of Shadow, a person is required to take a year of reflection in which they are participating in the community regularly but are not being formally trained further. We have found this year of reflection to be vital to integration of what is learned in the Year of Shadow. At the completion of this year of rest, they are then eligible for a commitment ceremony into the group, the completion of which makes them an official member of the All Faiths Movement. At that time, the person may represent our community and do volunteer positions as part of the organization which do not require healing or leadership skills.
The Wheel of Healing: The wheel of healing is designed for those who wish to do healing work on or with others. People who are ready for this training are seeking to do ceremony or healing work for others, work with plants and herbs, do workshops, and other forms of healing. It combines a year’s worth of plant and animal medicines with basic training on the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical body using traditional holistic theories from Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and folk healing in Appalachia (from an Irish-American perspective). Also included are basic ceremonial techniques, information on handling people healing from trauma, and practice with difficult situations. We also address our community ethics and scope of practice for our healers. At the completion of this training, the participant may choose to have a public ceremony where their commitment to being the embodiment of a healing presence in the world as a representative of (and in service to) the community is made clear. At that time they may be listed in our materials as a resource for the community and we may refer to them. At the conclusion of this training, depending on the participants location and locally applicable laws, they may qualify as a professional energy healer, holistic practitioner, spiritual healer, or even an herbalist. This is probably our most work-intensive training. It has the prerequisite of completing the prior two years of training and having completed the initiation and commitment. Upon completion of The Wheel of Healing training, the person is able to run groups and workshops, as well as do other tasks as part of the organization that involve facilitation and healer skill sets.
Leadership Mentorship: To be considered for leadership mentoring, all three prior years of training must be completed in full and will be reviewed prior to acceptance into mentorship. The leadership training in our community is less a class and more a list of necessary skills coupled with appropriate mentorship. What we really need to know is whether the participant is able to perform the skills a leader must perform with integrity and compassion even when they are tired or don't have time to prepare. Thus, a participant is assigned a mentor with whom they’ll work closely. Then, a list of necessary abilities and skills is reviewed to see what training that individual needs. The participant is also expected to complete an adequate number of practice hours both (1) observing the leadership demonstrated by their mentor at events and discussing it afterwards and (2) leading under the direction of their mentor, again with discussion. At the completion of this program and at the discretion of leadership, the participant may be offered a chance to be ordained. Completing this training without ordination enables a person to do limited leadership roles within the community that do not require ordination.
Ordination: Ordination comes after all four years have been completed, both ceremonies have been completed, and the person shows an ongoing, active engagement in the community. Should the person wish to be ordained, they should express this intention to their mentor at the beginning of their leadership mentorship. Upon completion of all of the above, the person’s history and details will be reviewed by the board to see whether they are a good fit for ordination (the primary function of this is to make sure the person meets federal, state, and community guidelines for ordination). Then they will complete an assessment partially administered by each board member which reviews the material from the approximate four years of training prior. The board will review all this information and if there is no reason to prevent an ordination, this will be done in a community ceremony and a certificate will be provided. Ordination expires every two years and must be reviewed by the board to be renewed. Only ordained persons may serve on the board except in extenuating circumstances. Board positions are reviewed every five years.
Further Training: Some of our positions in the community require further training, regular meetings, or continuing education. Also, a sub-group of our organization may choose to have an additional training program to be able to serve their group for people in service or leadership positions.
Membership Information
Membership involves a number of benefits and therefore expectations to sustain those benefits.
We are not a “once a member always a member” or “once ordained always ordained” organization. Long periods of inactivity, non-compliance with community guidelines, and other issues can lead to immediate termination of membership or ordination, as voted on by the board and sometimes (when the board finds it necessary) by the community.
Some of the benefits our members have enjoyed in the past include hospital liaison services, access to a clergy who can provide affidavits, court testimony (most often in child custody cases, situations involving domestic violence, divorce proceedings, and in protecting a person's agency as concerns health or medical care), access to private ceremonies such as funerals and weddings, protection from abuse within the community, access to spiritual counseling and/or healing work, and others.
Services rendered always take into account what members are actually available to perform services, but we do our best to meet people’s needs. Aside from completing the training mentioned above, members are expected to fulfill our community, state and federal standards for membership as well as abide by the decisions of leadership. Thus requirements vary based on different locations. Generally speaking, members are required to make 12 meetings per calendar year plus meet state and federal guidelines.
There have also been extenuating circumstances in times of crisis in which membership benefits may be extended to a person on the path to membership but who have not actually completed their programs. This is done at the discretion of leadership.
Ordination, in like manner, is not guaranteed once obtained, but is reviewed every two years. Leadership and other service positions are reviewed every five.
We also have an abuse policy that enables healing on all parts while respecting the unique needs of any party who has experienced abuse from another person within our community which may limit the privileges of membership. Most commonly, it is agreed that two people can not be at the same location for some period of time, and events or meetups are divided between the two.
We are not a “once a member always a member” or “once ordained always ordained” organization. Long periods of inactivity, non-compliance with community guidelines, and other issues can lead to immediate termination of membership or ordination, as voted on by the board and sometimes (when the board finds it necessary) by the community.
Some of the benefits our members have enjoyed in the past include hospital liaison services, access to a clergy who can provide affidavits, court testimony (most often in child custody cases, situations involving domestic violence, divorce proceedings, and in protecting a person's agency as concerns health or medical care), access to private ceremonies such as funerals and weddings, protection from abuse within the community, access to spiritual counseling and/or healing work, and others.
Services rendered always take into account what members are actually available to perform services, but we do our best to meet people’s needs. Aside from completing the training mentioned above, members are expected to fulfill our community, state and federal standards for membership as well as abide by the decisions of leadership. Thus requirements vary based on different locations. Generally speaking, members are required to make 12 meetings per calendar year plus meet state and federal guidelines.
There have also been extenuating circumstances in times of crisis in which membership benefits may be extended to a person on the path to membership but who have not actually completed their programs. This is done at the discretion of leadership.
Ordination, in like manner, is not guaranteed once obtained, but is reviewed every two years. Leadership and other service positions are reviewed every five.
We also have an abuse policy that enables healing on all parts while respecting the unique needs of any party who has experienced abuse from another person within our community which may limit the privileges of membership. Most commonly, it is agreed that two people can not be at the same location for some period of time, and events or meetups are divided between the two.