Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is excited to announce the establishment of the Dorothy Van Hamersveld Endowment Fund, a new financial resource dedicated to supporting women who seek to develop pastoral skills through the organization’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program. This endowment honors the legacy of Dorothy Van Hamersveld, whose lifetime of personal and financial support for women in ministry has touched countless lives.
The Dorothy Van Hamersveld Endowment Fund is designed to empower women by offering financial assistance to those who wish to participate in Pine Rest’s CPE Program. Recognized for its rigorous experiential education and learning process, this program equips participants with the practical skills and emotional intelligence necessary for effective pastoral care in clinical settings. Since its inception in 1970, the Pine Rest CPE Program has trained over 1,500 pastoral care interns and residents.
“We are thrilled to establish this endowment as a means of continuing Dorothy Van Hamersveld’s incredible legacy,” said Rev. Dr. Karl VanHarn, director of Pastoral Services and CPE at Pine Rest. “This fund will ensure that more women have the opportunity to develop their pastoral gifts and serve their communities with the care and compassion that is at the heart of Pine Rest’s ministry.”
Upcoming Event: “Empowering Women for Ministry Leadership”
In celebration of this significant milestone, Pine Rest is hosting a special event entitled, “Empowering Women for Ministry Leadership” on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event will bring together ministers, seminarians, chaplains, those considering ministry, and individuals who are passionate about supporting women in ministry.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from distinguished speakers on Dorothy Van Hamersveld’s legacy of advocacy for women in pastoral care and how the ministry can better encourage and support women in pursuing leadership roles. The event will also include a discussion on how the Dorothy Van Hamersveld Endowment Fund can best be utilized to maximize its impact on the lives of women furthering their education as CPE interns and residents.
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Postma Center at Pine Rest, 300 68th St SE, Building C, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
- Registration information and deadline: Register by October 7 at pinerest.org/DOROTHY.
“We invite everyone who is passionate about empowering women in ministry to join us for this inspiring event,” said Rev. Dr. VanHarn. “Together, we can explore meaningful ways to use this endowment to further the growth and development of women leaders in our faith communities.”
About the Pine Rest Clinical Pastoral Education Program
Since 1970, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services has been providing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) to help pastors and seminarians develop pastoral care skills, self-awareness and spiritual leadership. The CPE program is designed to train participants in pastoral care ministry through:
- Active engagement in ministry
- Reflection on ministry experience
- Assimilation of learning into ongoing ministry
Opportunities for clinical reflections occur in group settings, under individual supervision and through seminars where participants have the chance to network and engage with professionals from other disciplines. To learn more, visit pinerest.org/CPE.
