The Thread Interfaith Seminary
An interfaith/interspiritual seminary community where we integrate head, hands, and heart.
Our two-year program is neither purely academic, nor purely personal development. The word "seminary" comes from the Latin word "seminarium," meaning "plant nursery" or "seed plot". This is because it is metaphorically a place where seeds of faith and knowledge are planted to grow into mature leaders. At The Thread, we integrate through the lens of a holistic model, focusing on the interspiritual formation of…
Head: Articulating interspiritual frameworks and ethical analyses in accessible language
Hands: Facilitating groups, designing ritual, navigating conflict, organizing community action, and stewarding basic budgets/governance
Heart: Leading with deep presence, courage, and compassion—sustained by somatic and contemplative practice
Students will leave with a portfolio (e.g., lesson plans, rituals, facilitation designs, other ministerial tools) and feedback from guides and peers.
We are an interfaith/interspiritual seminary…
We are an emergent interfaith/interspiritual seminary committed to being of service in a complicated world by being deeply grounded in an emergent and relational spirituality.
This is a complex time of unraveling, emergence, discomfort, and fear. Our habitual responses (trying to fix, control, avoid, or rush past grief) can actually exacerbate many of the problems we face. We also see the deep desire in our world for meaningful spiritual expansion, connection, contribution, and solidarity. We don’t yet know exactly what The Thread needs to become, but we believe the work is to align ourselves with this posture: devoted to one another, deeply attentive, honest, and willing to be changed.
The Thread Seminary is being born in this space. It is not a retreat from the world, but a place to remember what holds us as we move through it—together.
Our first seminary cohort begins in January 2026 and unfolds over two years, with intentional pauses built in for rest and integration. We gather in rhythm: live cohort sessions, small group circles for reflection and embodiment, and seasonal gatherings (intensives) that weave practice, study, and communal connection and discernment. This is not about fixing yourself or arriving at tidy answers. It is about leaning into the wisdom of community, being with what is present open-heartedly, and practicing the courage to stay connected.
This program is for those who…
Long for a deeper dive into personal spiritual life in order to contribute to the greater good.
Are discerning ministry, chaplaincy, spiritual leadership, or soul-centered service.
Want to explore how to live and serve in liminal times—when certainty is scarce and the ground is shifting.
Long to integrate spiritual practice with truth-telling, grief work, and communal healing.
Are weary of surface-level “nice” spirituality and yearn for something honest, brave, and kind.
Want to enter spaces of pain, conflict, or possibility with practices that keep us connected to ourselves and to one another.
What You Will Receive / Grow / Practice
Seminary Students will deepen their capacity to:
Sit with fracture and not flee
Learn to stay present to brokenness—in communities, in systems, in the self—without collapsing, avoiding, or rushing to fix.Hold multiple truths with compassion
Cultivate the ability to stay present, listen across difference, hold paradox, be with conflict, and let go of needing certainty in the face of mystery.Lead and minister from a place of integrity, not performance
Unlearn habits of control and image management, and return to authentic presence as the foundation of spiritual leadership.Build relationships rooted in accountability and care
Develop spiritual tools for naming harm, offering repair, and remaining connected—even when it's hard.Discern what is yours to carry, and what is not
Practice honoring boundaries a sacred act, and learn how to companion others without over-functioning or disappearing.Engage spiritual practice not just for personal peace, but collective liberation
Reframe prayer, ritual, and contemplation as acts of justice, interconnection, and sacred resistance.
This program is formative, not performative. It is designed to stay with you.
Everyone who successfully completes the two-year program will have the option to be ordained through The Thread, and receive an assignment of ministry and one year of affiliation with The Thread. This is included in the cost of the program.
Program Structure
We meet every four weeks (give or take) as a large group.
In between those, we meet in small groups for shorter integration sessions.
How We Learn
To quote adrienne maree brown’s emergent strategy (2017): “…emergence shows us that adaptation and evolution depend more upon critical, deep, and authentic connections, a thread that can be tugged for support and resilience…Dare I say love.”
This program is grounded in several core principles:
Interspirituality: We honor many traditions—none as dominant, all as sacred.
Embodiment: The body is a site of wisdom, memory, and transformation.
Relational Learning: We grow in connection, not isolation.
Nature as Teacher: The natural world reflects our cycles of growth, decay, rest, and renewal. We look to its rhythms as sacred guidance.
Practices Over Performance: We value what is lived—not what is polished.
Truth-Telling: Staying with what is, not rushing to resolution. This is a space for complexity, not easy answers.
Our approach is messy, heart-forward, and rooted in care. That means you might not feel “finished” here—and that’s by design.
You may feel stretched. Sessions may bring up your “stuff.” At times, you may feel unseen or misunderstood.
And also…
You may feel deeply heard.
You may feel profoundly seen.
You may even feel something begin to heal.
What We Will Learn (Together)
We explore topics together, and integrate learning about different religious and spiritual traditions as we do. Here are a selection of some of the modules we will explore throughout the two-year program:
Anti-oppressive & Liberatory Spirituality
Deep Listening & Discernment
Devotion, Prayer, Spiritual Practice(s)
Eco-Spirituality – The Earth as Our Teacher
Ethics & Responsibility
Identity, Implicit Bias & Social Location
Imagination & Prophetic Voice
Nuts & Bolts: The Business of Ministry
Politics & Spirituality
Rest & Self-Care
Rites of Passage, Ceremony, Ritual
Rupture & Disruption
Shadow Work, Spiritual Bypass & Avoidance (addiction)
Sacred Activism
Testimonials for The Thread…
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Sonia Fernández LeBlanc
“The Thread is a sacred learning community that has been an anchor as I bridge the everyday and the imaginal to ideate and bring to fruition a world where all beings are interwoven and thriving in the deep time to come.”
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Caleb Anderson
"I had been meaning to write and share how meaningful [the first session] was for me. I found myself moved to tears throughout the day—simply being in the beauty of the container you and your team so thoughtfully created, experiencing the palpable divine presence, and feeling the warmth of the shared energy. I felt completely bathed in it. The care, intention, and effort were evident not only in the content, flow, and execution, but also in the tender way we were held in such a gentle yet powerful opening. That kind of experience can only be created through genuine intention, and I want to acknowledge and thank [you—as well as] all those who helped bring [the day] forth—for the depth of work behind it."
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Chani Getter
“The Thread is one of the few places where I have felt invited to open and explore myself deeply, to be vulnerable and courageous. At The Thread, sacred space is created with intention, commitment, and integrity. There is spaciousness as well as substance in every conversation. We honor all that is brought forward and feel a willingness to have messy and real conversations. We are being encouraged to notice the difficult times we are in and take responsibility for the way we are showing up in the world. I highly recommend The Thread to anyone who wants to be fully present and prepared to take spiritually-grounded action in this moment.”
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Joan Elkerbout
“What moves me most is that The Thread invites us to look honestly at our shared humanity — to ask: How do we stay connected, even with those who see the world so differently? Through the voices of wisdom from many spiritual traditions, we are reminded that we are all part of something larger, and that love and presence can be a bridge across any divide.”
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Jen Bailey
“My experience with the Thread's coursework is one of curiosity and inquiry. They pose provocative questions about what is happening in our world and what it means to show up in these times. I notice discomfort—the muscles that haven't been stretched in some time are remembering how to flex. These are the questions that have no easy answers, or any answers at all. The Thread invites me to be vulnerable, so that the power of being in community can weave its work. As a hospital chaplain, I companion people who are very ill or dying, and being present, getting curious, and making peace with uncertainty are the practices of my field. Everything the Thread asks us to lean into will not only help me in my work—it also reminds me of my humanity.”
Program Details
The next seminary cohort begins on January 24 and meets on both Saturday and Sunday (12p-5p Eastern) roughly every four weeks (with an integration session in between).
The program includes a mix of e-learning, live large-group Zoom sessions, live small-group Zoom sessions, and one-on-one meetings with a Guide.
One-on-one sessions will be scheduled individually based on your and your Guide’s availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Thread accredited? We are building a rigorous, community-accountable program. Formal accreditation is not required for ordination in many interfaith/interspiritual contexts. We offer ordination pathways in partnership with the community. Upon graduation, new ministers will receive a Certificate of Ordination, a Letter of Assignment from The Thread, and other documents that may be required by various government offices to register as a minister to officiate marriages.
Can I work full-time and still participate? Yes. The cadence is designed for working adults and caregivers with clear pacing and predictable rhythms.
Do I have to pick one tradition? No. We honor rootedness and curiosity. You’ll deepen your home tradition while learning across many.
Will I get ordained? Ordination is optional. Some learners come for interspiritual formation only; others pursue ministry pathways.
How to Apply
Start the application — share your story, call, and current context.
Conversation with a guide — hold a discernment conversation with one of our Guides. We want to make sure we are going to meet your needs and that you are clear on what the program expects. This is a key step to being in right relationship with one another.
Community references — we request two references from those who can speak to who you are. This could be someone within The Thread community or from outside the community.
Decision & next steps — after an acceptance into the program, we will review your cohort placement, payment options, and begin your onboarding.
Tuition & Registration
We believe in making soul-centered learning as accessible as possible.
Seminary Cost:
Annual Cost of Enrollment: $5,700 ($5,200 for affiliates)
What’s Included:
All live sessions and recordings
Small group gatherings and 1:1 sessions with a Guide
Digital materials and resources
Ongoing access to our eLearning and community platform
NOTE: Cost of annual retreat travel and room/board is not included. The selection of retreat site will be made based on enrollment.
Support & Flexibility:
Payment plans are available.
A Closing Word
We don’t promise easy answers. We promise companionship—and the practices to stay with what is: together, truthfully, tenderly. If you feel the tug, follow the thread.
Request an Application
Complete the form below for an application. After your submit, the application will be emailed to you.
