The Thread Interfaith Seminary
A seminary community — built on head, hands, and heart.
We focus on the 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 grounded presence, courage, and compassion—sustained by somatic and contemplative practice.
Students will leave with a portfolio of practicum artifacts (lesson plans, rituals, facilitation designs, governance tools) and feedback from guides and peers.
We are an emergent seminary…
This is a time of grief, unraveling, emergence, and holy discomfort. Our habitual responses—trying to fix, control, or rush past—can actually deepen the crisis. We don’t yet know what is emerging, but we believe the work is to align ourselves with its posture: 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 intensives that weave practice, study, and communal 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, and practicing the courage to stay.
This program is for those who…
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 or rushing to fix.Hold multiple truths with compassion
Cultivate the ability to listen across difference, hold paradox, 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 boundaries as sacred acts, 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 course is formative, not performative. It is designed to stay with you.
Everyone who successfully completes the 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 small groups.
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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.
Testimonials for The Thread…
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“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”
Laurie Payton
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“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”
Jamie Kokot
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“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”
Lindsey Beumer
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“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”
Keith Finley
Course Details
The next seminary cohort begins on January 24 and meets 12p-5p Eastern roughly every four weeks (with an integration session in between).
The program includes a mix of self-paced online 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.
Who This Is For
This offering is for those who feel the ache of the world—and still want to show up with soul.
You don’t need a religious identity or spiritual title. You only need a willingness to listen to the deeper current inside you.
This may be for you if:
You’re craving sacred space that welcomes doubt, complexity, and vulnerability
You’ve been unraveling old beliefs and want to reconnect with what’s true
You hold space for others and want to be held yourself
You want to live with more courage, clarity, and care—even in hard times
You’re seeking a rhythm of spiritual practice rooted in community, not perfection
This is a tender, honest space. We come as we are—and honor the sacredness of others doing the same. To protect that integrity, we hold clear boundaries.
This may not be for you if:
You are looking for a fast-track certification, linear curriculum, or quick fix
You are uncomfortable with conversations that include grief, trauma, or systemic injustice
You prefer a debate-oriented, theological learning environment
You are not ready to engage in honest reflection or hold space for others’ truths
This container is intentionally spacious—but not for everyone. If you're unsure, we invite you to attend the info session or reach out with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Thread accredited? We are building a rigorous, community-accountable program. Formal accreditation is not required for ordination/commissioning in many interfaith contexts. We offer ordination/commissioning pathways in partnership with the community.
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/commissioning is optional and community-discerned. Some learners come for formation only; others pursue ministry pathways.
How to Apply
Start the application — share your story, call, and current context.
Conversation with a guide — a 30–45 minute discernment conversation. 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 reference — someone who can speak to your spirituality. This can be someone within The Thread community or from outside the community.
Decision & next steps — cohort placement, aid options, and onboarding.
Tuition & Registration
We believe in making soul-centered learning as accessible as possible.
Seminary Cost:
Annual Cost of Enrollment: $4,995
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.
If cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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.