Eastern Region History

Coordinator:  Myron Ebersole

"BUILDING BRIDGES''
  The History  of the Eastern Region of the ACPE

      The Eastern Region, formed in 1968 and including CPE centers in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Puerto Rico, has roots going back to early days of the clinical pastoral training movement.  Dr. Glenn H. Asquith, Jr., Professor of Pastoral Care at the Moravian Theological Seminary in Easton, Pennsylvania has written an interesting history, including a summary of the first 50 years but focusing primarily on the l968-2000 history of the Eastern Region of the ACPE.

     CPE Centers scattered throughout the five states and Puerto Rico form a Regional identity only as relationships have been bridged between the Centers.   Key to the development of these relationships and Eastern Region identity has been the leadership of Regional Directors.  The second chapter focuses on the unique contributions of the six RDs who have served from 1967 through l999.  Henry Cassler brought his roots in the Council for Clinical Training, The Lutheran Advisory Council and experience as a Supervisor in the Federal Prison System.  E. Dean Bergen of Southern Baptist background and training had developed deep roots in Pennsylvania's State Mental Health system.  Joan E. Hemenway was the first female Regional Director in ACPE.   Jeffrey M. Silberman was the first Rabbi RD.  Denise G. Haines bought skills in communication including the use of computers.  James B. Jeffrey brought a breadth of training and experience enabling the Region to develop perspective on its own work and to explore working relationships with the Northeastern Region.  At the beginning of the new millennium, John J. Gleason became the seventh ER Director, bringing a varied background in CPE programs, denominational ministry leadership and inter-organizational cooperation.

     The Eastern Region has had a number of innovative CPE programs including the Parish-based program at Zion's Reformed UCC in Greenville, PA, a program for Hispanic pastors at the Lutheran Medical Center in New York,  a Community Organization related program at Yale-New Haven and an Ecumenical Seminary related program in Puerto Rico.  Asquith also explores Eastern Region efforts to develop relationships with seminaries.   Other "bridges" of note include the chapter on Expansion of Consciousness: Issues of Diversity.  Included are substantial sections on Women in CPE, Afro-American and Hispanics in CPE, Gay and Lesbian Concerns and Religious Diversity in Worship.  A brief account or the college of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP) is included.

     The concluding chapter, "Whither CPE and the Eastern Region?" cites cutting edge issues in which the Eastern Region has been working and may be expected to continue to build bridges.  Included are the renewal of social concerns, attention to sexual identity issues, ecumenical and interfaith issues, relationships to the Northeast Region and spirituality for the whole person.

     (Copies of Building Bridges were distributed at the ACPE Annual Conference in May.  It is our intention that copies be given to every Supervisor, Supervisor-in-Training, Retired Supervisor, Clinical Member, Seminary Representative, and Institutional Administrator in the Eastern Region.  Copies are also being given to Regional Directors and History Representatives as well as Officers of ACPE, Inc.  Copies will be made available at the ExNE Conference.  Myron Ebersole, ER History Representative.)