---
title: “CREATE YOUR OWN CONTEXT”EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS STUDYING SPIRITUAL CARE
description: Preparing seminarians adequately in this rapidly changing, complex society requires new directions and paradigms to respond to the changing nature of community, culture, and religion/spirituality.
---

[The Canvas](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas)

# [“CREATE YOUR OWN CONTEXT”EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS STUDYING SPIRITUAL CARE](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/create-your-own-contextexperiential-learning-for-students-studying-spiritual-care)

 Written by [Rev. Karen Hutt](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/rev-karen-hutt) | Jan 27, 2020 3:40:39 PM

Preparing seminarians adequately in this rapidly changing, complex society requires new directions and paradigms to respond to the changing nature of community, culture, and religion/spirituality. Seminarians increasingly need a wide variety of creative contextual  experiences to help them discern their call and explore the many options for their gifts, talents and passions. ***The Dept. of Formation, Vocation and Innovation*** can provide you with opportunities to do short-term, individualized mini-internships -- an afternoon gathering, a day long experience, or a multi-week volunteer opportunity -- to complement your academic and vocational pursuits and provide professional networking opportunities. 

**                               SOME “CREATE YOUR OWN CONTEXT” POSSIBILITIES**

If you are seeking to become a chaplain and you did one unit of CPE, and you really enjoyed working with older adults, you might consider co-leading a spirituality group with a professional chaplain at [**Episcopal Homes**](https://episcopalhomes.org/spiritual-life/) in St. Paul one hour a week for 6 weeks.

If you are planning on becoming a church leader but feel the church needs to go outside the walls of building, you might consider riding along with the [**Shobi’s Food Truck Ministries**](https://shobistable.org/about-shobis-table/) in East St. Paul one Sunday. 

If you imagine yourself as a chaplain beyond the traditional hospital or hospice settings, you might consider spending a day providing **public chaplaincy in a food court, in a courthouse** or on the light rail. 

If you want to shadow a spiritual listener in a shelter for people without permanent housing, you might want to join the listeners of [**City House**](http://www.city-house.org/). They also have all day listening pilgrimages here in the Twin Cities that can open your eyes to new and unusual ministry opportunities.

**If you have a context that you would like to explore but have no idea how to access an organization, a movement, a  community…..come and talk about it and we can make it happen.**

 

**                                                              Distance Students **

This opportunity is for you as well. Simply make an appointment with Karen to discuss your interests. We will research and contact local organizations in your city/town/hamlet and explore what might fit your interests and needs for a “Create Your Own Context” experience.

**                                                                 The Process is Simple**

- Talk with Karen Hutt [khutt@unitedseminry.edu](mailto:khutt@unitedseminry.edu) about an offering listed here or one that you have dreamt about. We will find the resource and set up the opportunity. 
- Talk with your professors and ask if you might be able to weave some credit for this experience into your course work. 
- Do a site visit with the organization/mentor to negotiate what you will be involved in, what you hope to learn, and what schedule might suit both parties.. 
- Follow all protocols and procedures of the site organization (may involve having a TB test in some cases) and begin the exploration.

[View full post](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/create-your-own-contextexperiential-learning-for-students-studying-spiritual-care)

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