Program in Christian Spirituality implements African American Initiative

The Program in Christian Spirituality at San Francisco Theological Seminary will begin implementation of its African American Leadership Initiative during the three-week January Intensive, which begins Jan. 10 in San Anselmo.

With the addition of scholarships for African-American students and African-American instructors and staff, SFTS hopes to increase leadership and enrollment among African Americans in its Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction (DASD) program. 

The DASD program welcomes Rev. Laurie Garrett-Cobbina, who will be serving as Contemplative In-Residence. Garrett-Cobbina holds the Shaw Family Chair for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at SFTS and is familiar with the DASD, having served on its admission committee since 2007. 

In her role as DASD Contemplative In-Residence, Garrett-Cobbina will participate in worship, meet with faculty and students, observe and participate in classes and small groups, and meet with our cohort of African-American students to process the students’ experiences and insights. She will offer her critique and wisdom of where she has experienced the free movement of the Spirit within the DASD, and where she has experienced the Spirit’s movement as blocked by the program—with special attention to needs and perspectives of the African-American community.

Also joining the DASD program as a small group supervisor is the Rev. Marjorie Wilkes Matthews, a UCC minister and spiritual director from Berkeley/Oakland.

The SFTS Program in Christian Spirituality expects 50 students to campus for the January Intensive for both the DASD and the Doctor of Ministry, with emphasis on Pastor as Spiritual Leader. The students come from across the country, and from five other Pacific Rim nations, reflecting the growing diversity of these programs.

The SFTS Program in Christian Spirituality continues to seek support for its African American Leadership Initiative and other programs. To make a gift or to find out more, please contact the Program at dasd@sfts.edu or the Program in Christian Spirituality, 105 Seminary Rd., San Anselmo, CA 94960.