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Dear Colleagues,

A thought came to mind last week while preparing to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday with my family and friends a thought came to mind… “I have another article due this weekend!” I wondered, amid all that is going on in our lives, individually and collectively, what I could say that would capture my mood. And these words came to me:

Thank you for the work you do daily, for the lives you have touched, are touching, and will touch, because every person who experiences safe enough space to be authentically their true selves benefits all of us. That is what CPE and my therapeutic relationships have done for me.  Because of my experiences in ACPE, my life has been metamorphosed… and I hear similar testimonies from others as they share how their lives have been enlarged and changed for the better because of the work they began in their Clinical Pastoral Education experiences. Many of you are like me, the lone Educator or Psychotherapist in your place of ministry, and make time to use your talents and time for the good of our Association.  What you offer is invaluable. It’s hard work but oh so meaningful!

We recently concluded our annual leadership elections. I appreciate every person who offered themselves to serve our Association. Our organization could not function without the work of our members who volunteer to serve on the Board, Commissions, Committees, and Workgroups.

To those of you who have completed your terms on the Board, Commissions, and Committees, Thank You! Saying yes is one thing, but fulfilling your commitment is another. I hope you will continue to offer your wisdom and skills to the work of ACPE.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank the ACPE Staff. You are a small team but carry a heavy load that is indispensable to our essential work.

As we enter the time of year when the spotlight is placed on people in need, I am grateful to be in relationship with colleagues whose life work is to serve those in need.

Muhammad Ali is credited with saying: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth." As is true of life, ACPE experiences seasons of joy and difficulty. We are in a season of difficulty and challenge, but it is just a season. Together, we will find the opportunities to strengthen our Association, and we will be stronger. Again, thank each of you for your service.  

Blessings Always, Cecelia