2015 has gotten off to a fascinating start with two special SANTACPE review committees. Both were held at Ashford Hospital.

Thay’s review committee: (l to r) Bob Kempe; Robynne Malone; Les Underwood; Eric Cave (Tas); Liz Dyson, Thay (& Lady).

The first was for Thong Phap (Thay), a Buddhist monk (on January 20th). Thay is at present living in Hobart, where he is involved in university studies, CPE groups, and ministry to the Buddhist community in Hobart.

However, Thay originally lived in Adelaide, and in many ways still regards Adelaide as home. Hence, when he arrived at the point of applying to be accredited as a pastoral supervisor, he requested that SANTACPE conduct the review on behalf of CPE sister organisations in Tasmania and Victoria.

Thay had a successful review, and in the process has obtained the distinction of becoming the first Buddhist monk to be accredited as a CPE supervisor in Australia. We congratulate him, and welcome him into the CPE supervisory fraternity.

Shoshana’s review committee (l to r): Barbara Messner; Les Underwood; Jeff May; Shoshana; Bob Kempe; Liz Dyson.

The second review was also unique. This was for Shoshana Kaminsky (on January 28th). Shoshana is a Jewish rabbi, and she successfully applied to begin supervisory training as a pastoral supervisor.

Shoshana’s roots are in the United States, where she undertook several units of CPE a number of years ago. Since moving to Australia she has re-established her connections with CPE, and it is exciting to welcome her into this new phase of her life and ministry.

The unique aspect of this review is that Shoshana is, we believe, the first rabbi to be involved in CPE supervision in Australia… and certainly in South Australia. So, we also congratulate her on this significant milestone in her life, and in the life of SANTACPE

Just as every CPE student’s CPE journey is marked and mapped by a series of review and accreditation processes, so it is with each CPE supervisor. In order to supervise at any one level, each supervisor needs to apply to a review committee for review and accreditation. And in order to continue working as a supervisor, each supervision is required to re-accredit each five years.

The last 12 months have been a busy and successful time for SANTACPE supervisors in relation to review committees and accreditations. And so we celebrate and congratulate the following people for recent successful review processes.

Jeff May, accredited as a Clinical Pastoral Supervisor in September, 2013

   Liz Dyson, accredited as a Pastoral Supervisor in October, 2013. Since then Liz has moved into Acting Clinical Pastoral Supervisor status.

   Robynne Malone, accredited as a Pastoral Supervisor in June, 2014. Since then Robynne has also moved into Acting Clinical Pastoral Supervisor status.

   Peter Williams, accredited as a Clinical Pastoral Educator in July, 2014.

   Bob Kempe, accredited as a Clinical Pastoral Educator in July, 2014.

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    SANTACPE has also welcomed John Hewitson into its membership. John is working in Darwin (having moved from Perth), and is an Acting Clinical Pastoral Educator.

Margie Virgin’s final supervisory presentation. August 6th, 2014

August 6th, 2014, was something of a sad day for SANTACPE, and especially for SANTACPE supervisors; for it was the day Margie Virgin presented her last supervisory reflection at the regular supervisors’ study afternoon. Margie has decided that she will not reaccredit as a CPE supervisor, and so she will complete her work as a supervisor after the ANZACPE Supervisors’ Conference in October.

During her many years as a supervisor, one of Margie’s especially-loved forms of CPE engagement has been the non-verbal presentation. She has, in fact, been something of a pioneer of this form of presentation. And so it was not at all surprising that she donned gardening boots, apron and gloves for this occasion, and proceeded to plant a garden on the floor of the sacred space in Ashford Hospital. In typical Margie form, each of the inclusions in her mini-garden had been very carefully chosen, with a particular supervisory colleague in mind. Her presentation thus became her comment on the varying relationships she has enjoyed with each of those colleagues over the years; and, in turn, those colleagues were then able to reflect on their relationship with Margie as they responded to her garden.

We in SANTACPE have treasured Margie’s participation in SANTACPE for many years. Her early CPE experiences were in Melbourne. But when, then, she along the way met, loved, and married John (who was at that time working in the Daw Park Repatriation Hospital), she settled with him back in Adelaide, and became an important part of the CPE Centre at the Repat.

Supervisors at an education-in-supervision workshop, held at John and Margie Virgin’s home in the Adelaide hills. February, 2014

Margie and John also took on the daunting task of working as co-supervisors at the Repat. But, probably more importantly for the SANTACPE supervisory community, they always acted as hosts at the education-in-supervision workshops that were held once or twice each year. Their beautiful log cabin home in the Adelaide hills was the perfect setting for these events.

SANTACPE therefore owes a great debt of gratitude to Margie and John for all they been to SANTACPE. We thank them for their companionship, wisdom and love. And we pray God’s blessing on them in all things.

Thank you, John!

From Roxby Downs to Adelaide for every CPE session. This is what Barry Luke (2nd from left) did this year (2013). To Barry’s left is his immediate supervisor, Robynne Malone. And to left and right of picture are co-supervisors, Barbara Messner and Les Underwood.

Barry Luke comes from Roxby Downs, where he works as a Mines and Miners Chaplain. He wanted to do CPE, but his nearest CPE Centre is in Adelaide. Too far to travel each week.

So, the CPE folk at UCWPA devised a custom-made CPE unit for Barry, one which met for a whole day, once a month, for a year. Others joined the group, and they loved it. And this arrangement suited Barry’s travel arrangements perfectly.

For Barry the CPE experience perfectly met his need to develop his capacity to listen to others, and thus to minister more sensitively.

Peter Ryan and Liz Dyson (hidden – sorry, Liz!), and part of their group.

Jeff May struts his stuff!

On December 12th around 60 folk gathered for the SANTACPE graduation dinner and year’s break-up. The main purpose of the evening was to hand out certificates for the app. 35 students who this year completed a unit of CPE at the various SANTACPE Centres. Not all those who completed a unit were able to be present for the evening. But those who did attend enjoyed a Vietnamese banquet at Tan Nhu Y restaurant, and lots of fun and chatter and wine with each other. And it was great to congratulate those students who participated in CPE this year, and who thus made it another successful year for our Association.

Some of the group, with supervisors Ian Lutze, Margie Virgin, Jeff May and Les Underwood in the background.

Some more of the group

Les Underwood – Signing off!

Peter Williams doing his thing.