GMU welcomes Thomas James as our new provost. Thomas is a GMU board member, a doctoral applicant, and the editor of previous GMU global conference proceedings. Tom also took part in our international conference on Science and Religion in Kochi, India, this past February, and delivered a paper. Tom has agreed to assume the position of GMU Provost on an interim basis over the next year while he completes his doctoral research and teaching responsibilities in Florida. As provost, Tom will work with our GMU administration and faculty to ensure the integrity of Global Ministries University.

"Pink Smoke over the Vatican" is now free on YouTube.

The Tree of Life and the Prophetic Vision of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests by Bridget Mary Meehan

Never heard of St Phoebe? Here’s why

WATCH: Stephen Colbert, Lifelong Catholic, on Hearing a Female Priest Celebrate the Eucharist

Research in Hinduism

In earlier editions of Librarian’s Corner we looked at freely available, online, scholarly resources for the study of sacred texts—the Christian Bible, the Qur’an, Buddhist scriptures, and the Torah. This month we’ll explore a few sources for the study of Hindu texts. These include the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata, which includes the Bhagavad Gita, and more. The resources below are helpful for many or all of these.

Sacred Texts Archive: 

https://sacred-texts.comOffers English translations of Hindu texts including the Bhagavad Gita (multiple translations),

Upanishads, Vedas, Mahabharata, Puranas, Ramayana, Vedanta, and more, in a simple layout.

Gita Supersite:

https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in 

The texts are in Sanskrit and can be viewed in any of 11 language scripts: Assamese, Bengali, Devanagari, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Roman, Tamil and Telugu, along with multiple English translations and commentaries. The site includes comparative viewing of commentaries by Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Chinmayananda, and others.

SANSKRITDOCUMENTS.org:

https://sanskritdocuments.orgThis site provides a compilation of Original Sanskrit texts displayed in Devanagari as well as other Indian language scripts. It includes some English translations and transliterations. The choice of script can be changed using the “change language” drop down menu or the “change script” widget.

Vedanta Spiritual Library:

https://www.celextel.org

Includes full text of the Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutra, 108+ Upanishads, Vedas, Vedic Hymns, Valmiki Ramayana, Adi Sankara Literature, Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Gospel of Holy Mother, along with the complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, and much more.

Questions? Comments? Need help with research? Contact me:

Judy Clarence, M.L.I.S., GMU Librarian

librarian@globalministriesuniversity.org

Dr. Margie Schnieder has written a children's book on how to help save our planet. Contact Dr. Schneider for more information.

The Season of Creation is here! Now is the perfect time to make "peace with creation." Dr. Margie Schneider is offering three courses at a discount. TH580 Creation Spirituality, TH581 Eco-Art & Creation Spirituality, and TH517 Spiritual Ecology are available individually for $235 per course. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your awareness of the Divine in Creation and in You!

Join the Season of Creation.

After 800 years, St. Francis' 'Canticle of the Creatures' still offers radical vision

Theology for the 21st Century

Discover the compatibility of science, spirituality, and faith. GMU partners with the Institute of Science and Religion program in Kerala, India. You can view lectures on their YouTube channel.

When Science Becomes Sacred: Awe, Universal Consciousness, and the Cosmic Revelation of the James Webb Space Telescope

For the 2026 cohort, scholarships have been awarded to a woman religious in Uganda and a priest and layperson in India.

 Spiritual Direction and Community-Based ChaplaincyTraining Program

GMU is delighted to announce a new collaboration with the Franciscan Circle Spiritual Direction and Community-Based Chaplaincy Training Program to support participants from underserved communities through scholarships and referrals that will equip people to meet the needs of a world longing for healing and justice.

The program is rooted in contemplative practice, social and economic justice, interfaith engagement, and the Franciscan call to embody God’s inter-spiritual love in the world. It seeks to form spiritual directors and community-based chaplains who can serve in diverse contexts—from faith communities and healthcare settings to streets and prisons—with deep listening, humility, and courage.

Community Ministry Program

A community ministry degree from GMU includes at least three courses in Sacred Scripture, a six- to nine-month community service placement with supervision, and submission of a journal documenting the learning that has taken place in the community service process. Students will need the equivalent of 60 units of college credit to be eligible for the degree in community ministry. The Stephen Ministry or other community service programs could be options for completing the community service training.

Students take online courses with GMU taught by Father George Gonzalez, and a course on pastoral counseling for drug and alcohol dependency. 

Additional credit for the equivalent of three courses will be achieved by taking the course in Stephen Ministry in Atlanta, Georgia. This course meets weekly beginning in September for about six months. It will include two retreats and be the equivalent of three GMU courses. The final course will be a supervised ministry experience with a community service organization in Atlanta that is working with youth.

Silicon Valley Peace Conference:

“AI’s Role in Community Development and Peacebuilding in Developing Nations”

GMU President Gerald Grudzen and Pacifica Institute Northern California Director Dr. Nurdin Kaparov are coordinating an international AI conference on peacebuilding for August 21–22, 2026. Please note the date change from previous posts. This will also be the 25th anniversary of GMU.

Santa Clara University will serve as the venue for those attending the conference in person. Pacifica Institute will pay for the cost of facilities. There will be visits to AI developers in Silicon Valley prior to the event and a tour of San Francisco when it concludes.

GMU's IT Director, Ricardo Silvestri, and Dr. Kaparov are building a conference website hosted by Pacifica Institute. There will be participants from around the globe as well as the US. It will be a great way to celebrate the success of GMU and our outreach to the world.

We hope to have both in-person and virtual participation in the conference, along with the publication of conference papers.

Collaboration with People's Catholic Seminary

GMU seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of those who wish to start Intentional Eucharistic Communities. Together with PCS, GMU is now offering:

Creating Inclusive Eucharistic Communities in an Emerging Synodal Church 

5 sessions: $475 + $25 App Fee

Women in the Bible and Christian Tradition

5 sessions: $475 + $25 App Fee

Credit for these courses can be applied towards a GMU graduate degree or certificate.

NEW ENROLLMENT BEGINS JANUARY 2026. The Center for Celebrant Training will be closed for the Fall Semester of 2025.

Director Michael Conley is on sabbatical from September through December. He will be unavailable until December 29, 2025. 

People’s Catholic Seminary provides educational programs that foster an expanded worldview of our liberating God of compassion present in all and working for justice for all through systemic change. As co-creators and companions on a journey, we share the wisdom of God in our sacred texts, theologies, sacred practices, sacramental celebrations, and lived experiences.

President Grudzen will be participating in FCM's Webinar on Interfaith Approaches to Immigration, an important topic in today's world. Stay tuned for more information.

The FCM 2025 National Assembly will be held online on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The theme of this National Assembly is "Tending the Flame: Sustaining Spirit for a Lifetime of Ministry." Sessions will feature topics related to self-care and strengthening resiliency for ministry in current contexts. This gathering will bring together members, colleagues, and friends from across the country for a day of connection, learning, and inspiration. 

Sacred Moments: A Poem by FCM Member and Regional Vice President Rev. Dr. Phill Parris

GMU gratefully acknowledges a $2000 grant from Robert Graf, GMU Board President, and the Graf Family Fund, and a $2000 grant from President Gerald Grudzen and Marita Grudzen for students enrolled in the Franciscan Circle Spiritual Direction and Community-Based Chaplaincy Training Program with Rev. Br. Mark D'Alessio.

GMU operates under the corporate umbrella of the Federation of Community Ministries of California (FCM of CA), originally formed on October 30, 1997, when the status of a 501c3 nonprofit corporation was obtained. GMU is registered in Santa Clara County, CA, as a DBA enterprise of FCM of CA. The two entities have the same Board of Directors.

Help Our Global Family

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