Repost: Outline for a Program of Druidic Formation Beirdd Wed Aug 9 20:55:08 2000 : The following is the beginning of some speculative work the *br*: Topaz Owl and I have been doing on the development of a *br*: program for the formation of an effective and civilly *br*: recognized druidic clergy.*br*:*br*: Please forgive my lack of skill in presenting an attractive *br*: outline format -- I haven't figured out how to do that on *br*: these boards yet.*br*:*br*: Suggestions and discussion are definitely welcome. A sketch *br*: of a program of study will follow shortly.*br*:*br*: --Beirdd*br*:*br*: OUTLINE FOR A PROGRAM OF DRUIDIC FORMATION*br*:*br*: I. PURPOSE*br*:*br*: A. The Purpose of a Program of Druidic Formation is to *br*: provide a standardized plan and process for the *br*: training and preparation of a Druidic clergy that would:*br*: 1. Effectively serve the spiritual needs of the *br*: Celtic community,*br*: 2. Fulfill legal requirements for civil recognition *br*: of clerical credentials, and,*br*: 3. Provide a basis on which to build the *br*: acceptability and recognition of the role of the druid in *br*: the modern world.*br*:*br*: B. In addition, such a program would also provide *br*: spiritual and academic support for those who consider *br*: themselves called to the druidic way of life.*br*:*br*: C. Finally, a program of this type would provide a *br*: common ground for the discussion and understanding of *br*: druidry, and its role in history and society.*br*:*br*: II. BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM*br*:*br*: A. The Program of Druidic Formation would have a *br*: three-fold structure which would be comprised of:*br*: 1. Academic Formation*br*: 2. Pastoral Formation*br*: 3. Spiritual Formation*br*:*br*: B. This three-fold structure would not serve to *br*: compartmentalize the overall formation of the druid, but to *br*: encourage particular foci as well as to foster the *br*: understanding of the integral relationships between areas *br*: that form the whole person.*br*:*br*: III. ACADEMIC FORMATION*br*:*br*: A. Requirements for Entrance*br*: 1. Review of academic transcripts*br*: 2. Letters of Recommendation*br*: 3. Personal Inteviews with Rector, Faculty and *br*: Admissions Board*br*: 4. Psychological examination*br*: 5. Medical examination*br*: 6. Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent*br*: 7. Twenty-seven credits in Philosophy, including:*br*: Four major periods: Ancient, Medieval, Modern and *br*: Contemporary*br*: Five systemic areas Philosophy of Man, Logic, General *br*: Ethics, Metaphysics, Philosophy of God*br*:*br*: B. Requirements for Druidic Ordination*br*: 1. Successful completion of all courses required in *br*: the curriculum, maintaining at least a 3.0 index.*br*: 2. A student may fulfill some requirements at other *br*: schools with approval of the chairperson of the department *br*: concerned and the Director.*br*: 3. Three areas of specialization are available:*br*: a. History*br*: b. Literature*br*: c. Theology*br*: 4. Three elective courses are to be taken in the *br*: last year of formation and must be chosen from the field of *br*: specialization.*br*: 5. In addition, the last year must include study in *br*: research methodology, followed by a thesis presented in the *br*: area of specialization.*br*: 6. The candidate will work under the direction of a *br*: faculty guide who will aprove thesis topic and direct *br*: research.*br*: 7. A reading knowledge of a Celtic language is *br*: required.*br*:*br*: IV. PASTORAL FORMATION*br*:*br*: A. The Pastoral Formation Program is coordinated with *br*: and integrated into the spiritual and academic spheres of *br*: the college.*br*:*br*: B. The goal of Pastoral Formation is to provide *br*: candidates with an opportunity for personal involvement in *br*: and practical exercise of pastoral ministry.*br*:*br*: C. This is seen as an integral part in the overall *br*: formation of the druid since it draws from spiritual and *br*: academic aspects of formation.*br*:*br*: D. Properly designed and supervised, pastoral *br*: involvement is the educational experience of practical *br*: learning.*br*:*br*: E. Field Education Program*br*: 1. Throughout preparation, students are assigned to *br*: pastoral field placements chosen to provide a comprehensive *br*: experience of pastoral situations. These may include:*br*: a. Teaching a subject pertinent to Druidic *br*: ministry*br*: b. Assisting at events pertinent to Druidic *br*: ministry*br*: c. Hospital work with patients seeking Druidic *br*: guidance*br*: d. Ministry to specific groups, i.e. homeless, *br*: alcohol or drug treatment, prisons, hospices, handicapped, *br*: AIDS patients.*br*:*br*: F. Pastoral Submersion Program*br*: 1. An extended period of time, i.e., a summer, will *br*: be spent assisting a druid in carrying out all pastoral *br*: duties in a Celtic community.*br*:*br*: G. Pastoral Skills Workshops*br*: 1. Students will aprticipate in three to four *br*: workshops designed to complement and bridge the spiritual, *br*: academic and pastoral phases of formation. Subjects will *br*: include:*br*: a. Spiritual Direction*br*: b. Religious/Cultural Edcuation*br*: c. Communal Life*br*: d. Counseling*br*: e. Communication - Diplomacy and Storytelling*br*: f. Law and Judgement*br*:*br*: H. Spiritual Reflection*br*: 1. Candidates participate in small group discussions *br*: in which pastoral issues are raised in the context of *br*: overall formation.*br*:*br*: V. SPIRITUAL FORMATION*br*:*br*: A. The purpose of the Spiritual Formation Program is to *br*: draw each candidate more fully into the spiritual role of *br*: the Druid, responding to the movements of spirit in his or *br*: her life.*br*: B. A high level of maturity is required of the candidate *br*: if he/she is to meet the challenges of druidry and be a *br*: minister to others’ souls.*br*: C. The final goal is to foster the establishment of *br*: attitudes, habits, practices and beliefs that will continue *br*: thoughout life.*br*: D. Program of Formation*br*: 1. Under the guidance of a spiritual director, the *br*: candidate will live out a multitude of spiritual experiences *br*: and practices including:*br*: a. ritual*br*: b. reflection and personal meditation and prayer*br*: c. spiritual conferences and discussions*br*: d. spiritual direction and reflection*br*: e. spiritual retreats in natural environments*br*: f. the practice of charity*br*: g. spiritual reading*br*: h. spiritual writing and other forms of *br*: appropriate expression*br*: i.coursework in interpersonal relations, *br*: including sexuality and diplomacy*br*