Summer Intern Reflects on Phoebe’s CPE Summer Intensive

Phoebe Ministries’ Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, part of Phoebe’s many programs for the Allentown-area community of Pennsylvania, offers students and community members of all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about ministry practices.

The Rev. Leah Knox, director of pastoral care services and ACPE-certified educator candidate, greatly emphasizes the collaborative nature of CPE and pastoral care. According to Knox, the residents and staff that students interact with become their teachers through experience.

Samantha Kistler, who recently graduated from her summer intensive course, echoed this sentiment. “I liked being able to have that connection with residents on a deeper level than what you would get with a traditional parish church setting,” she said.

She added that being involved with the Phoebe community helped her feel more comfortable in the program.

“I felt accepted and included by staff –— everyone embraced me like I was a permanent member of the team,” said Kistler. This extended to the events that Kistler attended, including lending a hand at Phoebe’s Century Circle Ice Cream Social.

The program often pushes students to face difficult questions head-on and discuss them as a class.

Kistler characterized the course as a “transformative experience” that allowed her to sharpen her active listening skills, particularly concerning “difficult conversations surrounding death.”

“It revealed more of myself, who I am, and what I’m capable of,” she said.

Naturally, a good program is only as good as its teacher.

“Leah is wonderful!” said Kistler. “She is always very open, accepting, and accommodating while not being afraid to gently question and push you. There were times that my peers or I were uncomfortable [with a certain topic], and she would push us to explore these things a little further.”

According to Kistler, Knox’s “comforting presence” allowed the space for these conversations to happen.

Kistler also said the course inspired her to examine chaplaincy more closely and consider board certification as a chaplain. Despite the long hours of a summer intensive course, she said the days “flew by,” and her outlook on CPE and pastoral care brightened.

The fall course is currently underway, but applications for upcoming spring/summer CPE courses will open early next year. Click here to learn more.