The world is round so that friendship may encircle it. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin’s words were on my mind this week as I pondered the diverse friendships I have because of the variety of people I meet in my role as college chaplain. In a world where religion often divides, I regularly get to experience it as a catalyst for new friendships. Take the past week, for instance.
Last weekend I conducted a wedding for two Wofford alums. It was held in a beautiful Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, and the priest there generously shared the liturgical leadership with me.
Monday I met with a Success Initiative student who is working with me on a project focused on developing a sacred space on campus. She is working with donors, administrators, trustees and students to explore the possibility of an on-campus contemplative space that might include a labyrinth.
Tuesday I spoke briefly at United, a weekly student-led worship experience with an evangelical tone. It drew over 80 students. Because of a power outage that darkened half of campus, there was a catacomb feeling to the evening. Prayers, songs, scripture readings and reflections made for a meaningful time together.
Wednesday I celebrated communion and offered a sermon in Mickel Chapel as I do every Wednesday at 12:25. It was a United Methodist service of Word & Table with ecumenical overtones and music from Taize. Immediately after that we had a simple meal of homemade soup and fresh bread. A generous environmental ethics professor added some homemade cream-filled brownies to the table. Following the meal, I left campus for the funeral of the mother of a staff member and friend. It was held at a Presbyterian church in Greenville, and followed classic Presbyterian liturgy. Upon returning to campus, I attended Mass, which was celebrated by Father Mike, who generously hears confession and offers mass for our catholic population who call themselves the Newman Club. Following that I participated in Wesley Fellowship. They spent lots of time catching up with each other and had an introspective program that used photography to help us explore our situation in life. Students, staff and faculty attended. Students from Tanzania and Rwanda were part of the group that evening. I missed going to the gathering of the Muslim Students Association because the Wesley program ran long. This group joins two other new groups that are addressing the diverse spiritual needs of our campus.
Thursday, Interfaith Youth Core had nearly 30 people respond to an interest announcement, and it has its first meeting next Thursday. Over dinner, I met with a student who is planning an event she calls Christmahannaramadiwalikwanzaka. Last year over 300 students attended, and this year she has arranged for more than ten religions and cultures to be represented. Late Thursday evening I led the second part of a two-part Bible study for a local group of professional men known as The Seminarians. Two weeks earlier they talked me into wrestling with the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16: 1-12) and I spent several hours the night before doing a Greek translation of the passage. It is still very difficult to understand. I am glad they aren't satisfied with easy, or sloppy, answers.
Friday Night Lights means more than football for the Jewish members of our community. Shabbat candles are lighted as the Sabbath meal is celebrated. Hillel, the Jewish Student group, is up and running this year.
Sunday evening I attended Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) services at Temple B’nai Israel. These are the high holy days for our Jewish friends. Rabbi Liebowitz, who works with our Hillel students, graciously recognized my presence at the service and offered appreciation for the support Wofford College is giving Jewish students. Several members of that congregation are Wofford faculty and alums, and they are helping as the group develops.
And yes, I did go to church on Sunday. I heard inspiring music, was engaged by another fine sermon by Luther Rickenbaker, and enjoyed traditional hymns and familiar (to me) prayers as I participated in worship at Central United Methodist Church. Central was the first church organized in Spartanburg, and it was from there that Wofford College moved from idea to reality.
Wofford College has a diverse constituency of students. Most have some religious affiliation, but there is an increasing number who list “none” as their affiliation. This follows a national trend. Some of the “nones” have organized a group, too. They are planning a program on “superstitions.” I always thought it was bad luck to be superstitious...
As Chaplain, my role is to advocate for all students to have a voice at the table. In addition, I represent my own faith, and I do that in a manner that articulates Christianity, particularly United Methodist Christianity, in the midst of a religiously complex and diverse world. I try to listen, to understand and appreciate, to question and challenge and to create a climate of collaboration. It is work that is usually invigorating, occasionally provocative, and always inspiring.
Howard Thurman, the activist and theologian, once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” I have the privilege of having a core of students and colleagues--friends--who are very much alive. And I have no doubt that the world needs them all.
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Posted by: オテモヤン | January 26, 2010 at 11:30 AM