Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Lancaster is now offering the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program in Pennsylvania. CPE offers reflective professional training for pastoral care and chaplaincy work.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary has entered into agreements with Landis Homes, Lititz, Pa.; Philhaven, Mt. Gretna, Pa.; Garden Spot Village, New Holland, Pa.; and Menno 
Haven, Chambersburg, Pa., to provide placements for students who enter the program.
The CPE program at EMS is unique because pastors can use their congregation as a placement for a portion of their clinical work.
“This program is great for pastors who want to learn more about families or organizations as emotional systems and working with people in stressful situations,” said CPE director Kenton Derstine.
Students will complete 10 hours a week of chaplaincy or pastoral care in a congregation or one of the above institutions. They will spend two days a month in the classroom learning and processing their experiences.
“Rising levels of anxiety in society create tension in relationships for those in all levels of ministry,” Derstine said. “CPE offers a forum for processing challenging situations and learning to function in organizations with high stress levels.”
The program will begin Sept. 30, 2011. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 1. For more information on CPE in Pennsylvania, contact Kenton Derstine at 540-432-4565 or email derstine@emu.edu.