AAPC Southeast Region Newsletter

December 2015

The SE Region is Buzzing! Read on to find out what all the buzz is about.

Work is beginning on the many projects we approved at Kanuga, including facilitating more continuing education, web­based learning, and chapter formation; new creative ideas continue to emerge! More than ever, we feel the strength of our connections to one another, and we are inspired and curious about how we will shape and serve the world around us. In the coming weeks and months we will be in regular communication with you as our work and life together unfold.

In this newsletter, you’ll find Robert Cooke's invitation to theological reflection, John Eddinger’s update on the current status of AAPC certification, and a few photos from Andrew Gee along the way.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for being a part of the AAPC Southeast Region!

Russell Siler Jones, Chair Kathryn Summers, Vice­Chair

An Invitation To Do What We Do Best... by Robert Cooke, Chair of Theological and Social Concerns

On the Friday we met at Kanuga, I found myself trying to fold a fitted sheet with its round corners.

The sheet refused to fit neatly into my agenda!!! It was impossible to make it square…aargh!!!!

Eventually I gave up, laughed at myself, and headed for Hendersonville.

Being at the SE Regional Meeting was a similar, wonderfully frustrating experience. There were so

many emotional moments that my capacity to fold the experience neatly was overwhelmed. I wish

the conversations we shared during the business sessions, walking on the grounds, the marvelous

seminars and plenaries, and “Pickin’ and Grinnin’” could go on and on.

Maybe the conversations can and should continue. Perhaps we can engage as a region in theological

reflection for more than one weekend per year! In the spirit of opening ongoing community

conversation, I invite you to share with me and the Region your theological ponderings on any aspect

of this year’s meeting. You may even be published, in the newsletter or on the website!

There is much to reflect upon: the process of revisioning the Southeast Region, the hope and grief we

feel, what it means to be connected to each other as professionals and as chosen family. Or you

might choose to reflect on Dr. Atkinson’s presentations: “What does it mean to call people to

repentance (to lay down their weapons)? How do we do that as pastoral clinicians? What does it

mean to be embodied in the ways Atkinson described, that our emotions/bodies are so foundational

to our choice/free-will — where is spirit in that understanding?

So, what touched you about the experience of being at Kanuga, or perhaps not being there? Would

you share it with the Southeast Region? Please send your notes, essays, pictures, songs, drawings,

poems, comments, and ponderings of any sort, to rcooke@tripastoralcounseling.org.

Perhaps the SE Region belongs to Someone a little higher than us….

What is the Word on Certification? by John Eddinger, Chair of Membership/Certification

In April, 2015 the Board of Directors of AAPC decided to stop certifying individuals effective July 1,

2016. In the SE Region we have ten remaining candidates who have until April 1, 2016 to complete

their application process and meet the certification committee. A date of June 25, 2016 has been set

for all remaining candidates after April 1 to meet the committee in Atlanta.

One consequence of AAPC’s decision to stop certifying individuals is that some who are already

certified have been left to wonder what will become of their own certification. The short answer to

this question is “nothing.” If you are certified at any level on July 1, 2016 you will remain certified at

that level even after that date. To stop certifying does not mean to repudiate the certification of

those of us who are already certified. You will always be able to list your certification on your resume

or refer to yourself as a “CPC,” “Fellow,” or “Diplomate” when you communicate with people who

want to know about your training and background in AAPC.

Despite the Board of Directors’ decision, there is still some interest in certification throughout the

Association, but especially in the SE Region. The present regional certification committee is beginning

a consideration of certification-like possibilities going forward after the Association ends its

participation in June. If you have thoughts or suggestions about certification, please express them to

me at jeddinge@bellsouth.net or to other members of the regional committee so we can bring you a

report next year about our conclusions and recommendations.

Our Time Together at Kanuga… ...was, as always, filled with beauty and fellowship. Much gratitude goes to Andrew Gee for his

gift of capturing the weekend in pictures, some of which are included in this newsletter. To see

all of his beautiful photos from Kanuga 2015, go here.

Keep up to date with all the Buzz, including the minutes from this year’s Business Meeting at Kanuga, at our website!

READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE