Training Faith Based Caregivers
Mobilizing Pastoral Care Throughout Northwest Iowa
What is Ecumenical Institute?
Ecumenical Institute (EI) was started in 1968 and has operated as a charitable organization since 1993. Its goal is to mobilize pastoral care for the residents of Northwest Iowa. Ecumenical Institute’s vision is to provide care for humans in all conditions of life and offer spiritual training to those who assist in that care.
Due to Covid 19 the need for online training increased. EI has been providing online training prior to Covid 19. Ecumenical Institute (EI) now serves Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) students throughout the United States.
Ecumenical Institute mobilizes pastoral care throughout Northwest Iowa by:
- Providing Certified Pastoral Education (CPE) to individuals committed to Northwest Iowa through classes, workshops, and seminars.
- Mobilizing pastoral care by networking together with leaders from congregations, civic organizations, businesses, and community service providers.
- Empowering pastoral caregivers to “pass it on” within their own spheres of influence, from congregations to the workplace to the community a large.
Our Mission
“To provide quality pastoral education through an accredited training center by certified personnel on an ecumenical, non-discriminatory basis in compliance with all local, state and federal laws and to provide these services primarily on behalf of the people of Northwest Iowa. Special concern is directed to meeting the needs of rural communities and to serving as a public trust in all matters related to the financial support of these educational services.”
Iowa Ministry Locations
Alta, Alton, Ashton, Boone, Carroll, Castana, Cherokee, Danbury, Decorah, Deloit, Des Moines, Dubuque, Early, Estherville, Everly, Fonda, Fort Dodge, Harlan, Holstein, Hull, Ida Grove, Larrabee, Le Mars, Manning, Marcus, Marshalltown, Merrill, Milford, Moville, Newton, Odebolt, Okoboji, Orange City, Pocahontas, Postville, Renwick, Royal, Sac City, Sheldon, Sibley, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Somers, Spencer, Storm Lake, Sutherland, Tabor, Treynor, Wall Lake, Washta, Williamsburg
Calendar & Meetings
Check out what’s happening!
- CPE Zoom classes meet at various times Monday – Thursday.
- Fall through Spring units available along with Summer units.
- Total hours of 120 zoom hours and 280 hours of clinical time.
The extended unit meets every other week for a reflection on the student’s ministry in a peer group of 4 – 7 individuals. Students are asked to interact in the systems that make up the community in which they live.
The elements of a unit of CPE may include:
- Devotions – Each student, along with the supervisor, will share in a time of opening devotions.
- Verbatims – These are the core of each day’s class time which are scheduled at the beginning of the unit.
- Learning Covenant – Within the first four weeks, each student is asked to present his/her learning goals for the unit.
- Critical Incidents – The student will present several critical incident.
- Interpersonal relationship seminars – These seminars are an opportunity to stop and ask the question: “How are we doing as a group?”
- Weekly reflection or journal – A consistent reflection by the student about what he/she is learning about themselves in the process of pastoral care.
- Care Study – Advanced students may be asked to prepare an in-depth case study.
- Sermon – During the unit, the student may substitute a sermon for a verbatim.
- Didactic – The supervisor or guest speaker will present a minimum of five didactics.
- Individual Supervision – Each student will have one-on-one consultation with the supervisor.
Meetings are held quaterly
Usually held January, April, July & October
Please check with Rev. Roger Cauthon at rogercauthon@comcast.net for more information.
Keep watching for future trainings to be held in the area.
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What People Have to Say
Staff & Board of Directors
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*use the friends and family option, not the business option.*