|
"Belonging Together:
Migrants, Refugees, Displaced People and Global Solidarity"
| |
|
1.5K people worldwide joined the conference held during Interfaith Harmony Week.
Click on the video above to hear the inspiring words of Fr. Dan Groody, author of A Theology of Migration: Bodies of Refugees and the Body of Christ. Catch up with all the presentations on YouTube.
| |
President Grudzen Issues Statement for GMU on USAID Cuts | |
Global Ministries University calls for the immediate restitution of USAID assistance, resources, and personnel necessary for the preservation of the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people, and the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases and deadly viruses.
USAID provides 40% of global aid. Cutting USAID programs completely without any notice or review is unconscionable and destabilizing for the developing world. GMU finds the current Administration's decisions immoral. They do not represent the will of US citizens. A recent poll by the Economist and YouGov shows that a majority of Americans support humanitarian aid programs that provide food and disaster relief to poor countries...
| |
President Grudzen's Visit to Nigeria | |
|
The Ufuk Dialogue Foundation in Nigeria invited President Grudzen to speak at three interfaith conferences from February 20–25, 2025, in diverse areas of Nigeria. The theme of these meetings will be "Empowering Youth and Cultivating a Culture of Understanding."
Marita Grudzen was invited to present at the conferences. However, because of health concerns surrounding extended travel, Marita met with women in interfaith groups via Zoom.
Look for extended coverage in the GMU March Global Update.
| |
|
Can Women Be Priests? Some Say Yes—Article in Italian Publication—Interview with Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
The Title of the video is in Italian, but the interview is in English.
| |
|
Don’t Get Spammed!
This month’s column is little off-topic—I’m not dealing directly with academic research skills and methods—but I believe this subject is relevant and important due to the amount of junk that lands in our email inboxes these days, some of it potentially dangerous. Spam filters catch most of it, but a few spams and phishing attempts slip through. Learning to distinguish between legitimate messages and spam is actually a form of information literacy; what research is all about.
We’ve all seen it, or something like it: a message from your financial institution that, at first glance, looks authentic, complete with logo and all the contact information that a legitimate notice from your bank would typically include. The message says there’s a problem with your account—you need to click on the link in the message and update all your information. Whoa! Really? Uh-oh, you’re not sure about this. Wisely, you think you’d better investigate before you respond. How do you do that?
- Take a very careful look at the email address from which the message originated. If it were legitimate, it would be exactly the same as your bank’s usual email address, for example: billpay(at)wellsfargo.com. Email coming from anywhere else will either look slightly different, like “billpay(at)wellsfargo2.com,” or wildly different, such as "lucyloolooxyz(at)horsefeathers.com." (Please note: The @ symbol has been replaced by "(at)" to avoid links being activated by your email provider.)
- Evaluate the subject line. If it sounds too good to be true, beware; it probably is. Examples: “You’ve Won Our Grand Prize of Fifty Million Dollars!!!” or “Claim Your Reward of a Lifetime Supply of Golf Balls!” Beware, too, of messages intended to frighten you out of your wits, such as “Your WiFi is about to be disconnected unless you respond to this message!!!” or “VIRUS ALERT! Your computer is infected!”
- Take a deep breath before responding. Spam messages will often urge you to take immediate action. “Act Now!” “Click on This Link Today!” etc.
- Remember that legitimate organizations, such as banks or corporations, will never ask for personal or financial organizations via email. Do not enter your account numbers, personal identification information, passwords, or any other sensitive items into an email.
- Notice if the message contains poor grammar or spelling. (I keep getting offers to edit my website—I don’t have a website—and the messages start with, “Resently I visit you’re websight..." Really? You say you’re an editor?)
- Don’t download or view email attachments from anyone you don’t know—the link might contain a virus.
- Get in touch with the supposed sender. If a suspicious message seems to be coming from an institution or company in which you’re a customer or participant, contact them and ask if the message is legit.
Spammers, hackers, and phishers are also infiltrating text messaging, so all these recommendations apply to them too.
Beware, and stay safe!
Questions? Comments? Need help with research? Contact me:
Judy Clarence, M.L.I.S., GMU Librarian
librarian@globalministriesuniversity.org
| |
GMU partners with the Institute of Science and Religion program in Kerala, India. You can view lectures on their YouTube channel. | |
|
Theology for the 21st Century
A new cohort in the GMU's Religion and Science Program has begun. Discover the compatibility of science, spirituality, and faith. Asian and African applications will soon be made directly on Fr. Augustine Pamplany's website. The applications will then be sent to GMU for follow-up and enrollment. Email Fr. Augustine for information.
| | |
Emotions, Beliefs, and Mental Health
President of Global Ministries University, Gerald Grudzen, Ph.D. recently addressed an international symposium on "Emotions, Beliefs, and Mental Health: Cognitive and Neurological Perspectives." He was joined by Robert Graf, Dr. Reginal Nalugala, and Thomas James, who presented papers at the symposium, which took place from February 1 to February 3, 2025. Father Augustine Pamplany, the director of the Institute of Science and Religion, convened the conference.
| Spring into Spirituality! | |
Spring forward and "let the light shine" in your life and in your soul! 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 half the price of the traditional tuition, $235 per course. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your awareness of the Divine in Creation and in You! | |
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.
| |
|
The most recent evaluation of the Celebrant Training Program is from a student who completed both certificates in only two months. He writes, "As you get involved in the course, you desire to learn more and express your ideas. A stellar program! You must be committed to working hard because as you perform the ceremony, you will only want to be the best like the mentors, Sally Cant, Conley, and Marold, excellent guides!" John S. 2/17/25 .
| |
|
PCS 723 - Empowerment Through Embodiment Practice With Lizzie and Wambui
Giving up patriarchy for Lent this year? Join us for Freedom Fridays as international yogini, Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen, and feminist chaplain-scholar, Lizzie Berne DeGear offer a powerful opportunity for community care and self-sovereignty. In three gentle yoga sessions, we will learn to breathe deeply and practice sustainable self-care in the midst of dismantling systemic oppression. All are welcome, and no prior experience with yoga is needed.
$60 for all three sessions. Wambui and Lizzie are offering this course at this accessible rate in solidarity with all who join the Catholic Women Strike movement this Lent.
Every other Friday during Lent:
March 14, March 28, and April 11, 2025
1 PM Eastern Time
(Please check your local time each week, as the world switches to daylight savings time.)
75-minute sessions will include orientation, reflection, meditation, a 45-minute practice, and time for q-and-a. Sessions will be recorded, and participants are encouraged to revisit them as often as you like in your personal practice.
| |
|
Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen (she/her), MA, E-RYT 500, TCYM-T is a Kenyan-American based in rural Portugal, passionate about slow healing through trauma-informed yoga. She has been an Ashtanga yoga practitioner since 2008 and teacher since 2011 and is the co-founder of Yoga Roots Odeceixe, est 2023 . In 2022, Wambui moved to the countryside to learn how to grow her own food, make her own medicine and reclaim both her self- sovereignty and deep symbiosis with the Land.
Wambui is deeply inspired by spiritual teachers and communities that seek ways to apply the insights from our various practices and teachings to situations of social, racial, political, environmental and economic suffering and injustice.
| |  |
Lizzie Berne DeGear, BCC, PhD is familiar to the PCS and WOC communities through her bible studies including “The Ministry of Jesus as the Expansion of Consciousness”, “The Women Who Wrote the Bible” and her animated short film “(m)adam: Adam’s Rib Reframed” Certified with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains since 2002, Lizzie’s passion for facilitating group experience was sparked by her hospital chaplaincy work on the inpatient psychiatric unit and with those facing addiction. This collaboration with Wambui is a dream come true – an opportunity to collaborate on their shared passions for healing and justice, while bringing her Anusara-yoga teacher-training into her work with the PCS and WOC communities. | | | |
|
GMU will partner with the Omeriye Foundation as the focal point in Kenya, and participate as the USA mentor for Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and Nairobi University in the EARTH FUNDS AI for Climate and Environmental Challenges in September 2025 | |
GMU operates under the corporate umbrella of the Federation of Community Ministries of California (FCM of CA), originally formed on October 30, 1997, when we gained the status of a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. GMU is registered in Santa Clara County, CA, as a DBA of FCM of CA. The two entities have the same Board of Directors. | | | | |
