Chaplain/Spiritual Life Offerings
Also see "get connected" and the calendar.
Soul Feast Chapel with Peace Eucharist (Holy Communion): 1st-3rd Wed* of each block @ noon in Allee.
A grace-filled inclusive blend of progressive, traditional, & contemplative Christianity. Offers wisdom for daily living, scripture, prayer, fellowship (see Soul Friends), union with God and love of all people like and unlike oneself in imitation of Christ. Open communion. Ecumenical (Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and seeker blend). Welcoming of seekers and all. ~Led by Chaplain & Soul Friends
Note: Occasionally on the 3rd Wednesday of each term our prayer form will be the inter-spiritual healing wisdom series on forgiveness and reconciliation.
Inter-Spiritual (shared universal) Wisdom and Interfaith Understanding
- The Chaplain & Spiritual Life Offices' Interfaith Understanding & Exploration student leaders help provide spiritual road trips, interfaith dialogue circles of trust, and other great programs.
- Almost monthly Inter-Spirituality Healing Wisdom Series on Forgiveness and Reconciliation 3rd Wed. Soul Feast Chapel of most blocks @ noon.
Jewish perspectives (The High Holy Days): Rabbi Todd of Temple Judah - Sept. 15
Zen Buddhist perspective: Zen priest, Zuiko Redding - Oct. 13
Sharing our Forgiveness & Reconciliation stories - November 10
National and International healing in the wake of genocide and war: Prof. David Yamanishi, Politics Dept. - Feb.
Muslim perspectives: Joe Aossey, spring
Christian perspectives: t.b.a. (spring)
Victim — Offender Mediation Stories: Attorney and mediator Gerald Partridge - Spring
Caritas (Latin for the virtue of charity)
Cornell College’s Office of Chaplain & Spiritual Life hosts and co-sponsors opportunities for extending love, diversity sensitivity and bridge building,, peace-making, healing, service, and—as embodied by Jesus, an emphasis upon social justice and uplifting of the marginalized and powerless.
Finding Equanimity and Inner and Outer Peace
A monastic wisdom saying goes like this: “Go sit quietly in your cell and it will teach you everything.” Amid restlessness, anxiety, and our culture’s hurried pace, ancient Western and Eastern wisdom traditions urge us to sit still. To find enlightenment and peace by slowing down, tapping into the deep root of your being and all Being, and watching the breath. To return to the breath when ever the mind gets caught up in the auto-pilot tyranny of thoughts, worries, and mental “grooves” or habits which color our perception and interpretation of events.
For support of this Mindfulness and meditation or contemplative prayer practice we have several options:
1. East-West Meditation & Contemplative Practices Fridays @ 11:15—12p.m. in Allee Chapel (except block breaks). A synthesis of insights and contemplative practices from Eastern and Western spiritual traditions with related medical research and health care wellness methods. See "Worship & Meditation" for a full description. Led by college chaplain.
2. Time for centering prayer enfolded into Wednesday Soul Feast chapel (noon in Allee).
3. Spiritual retreats including "Living in the Flow of Grace" Fall Retreat (includes hatha yoga, meditation and contemplative prayer, praying with scripture, and energy work), and winter silent monastic retreat at a Benedictine Abbey.
4. Try out the new Buddhist group on campus.
5. Experience Fr. Cathy's "Namaste: Meditation, Mysticism, and Servant Leadership" course in India.
6. See also a Zen Center in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, and explore the East/West links listed Spiritual Tool Kits.
Rosh Hashanah & Eid—End of Ramadan Celebration @ Chaplain’s Home. Fri, Sept. 10 5:30—8:30 p.m. Depart by foot & car from
the Thomas Commons Info Desk. Must rsvp to attend to SHedine12
- Tishlich (releasing sins in stream)
- Honey & Apples
- Food and Interspiritual friendship
- Learn about holy seasons of Ramadan and Jewish High Holy Days ~Co-sponsored by Hillel, and Chaplain & Spiritual Life Office’s Interfaith Understanding and Exploration.
Shabbat
Jewish observance of Sabbath with meal, blessings, and fellowship on the 3rd Friday of each block. Led by Hillel and open to all.
Evensong
Simple Anglican chant, song, and prayer as daylight fades. Steeped in stillness, reverence, & candlelight. Service held late fall and winter (see master calendar) ~ Sponsored & led by Chaplain & Soul Friends
Chaplain Student Leadership Team & Mentoring
A spiritual wisdom saying goes like this: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” If that time for you is now, know that I am here for regular or occasional mentoring, spiritual guidance, and companionship. For some that means companionship through awakening or expanded awareness of your connection with God, others, and the unfolding universe. Of wonder, awe, and meaning of life experiences and decisions which come with that. For some it means mentoring through the transformation of suffering, or a relationship, or perhaps one’s ideas of God and religion. Or in one’s understanding of Christian discipleship. Still, others seek me out for very secular means of counsel as they think and feel through the difficult decisions and responsibilities which leadership bares. Others specifically come for vocational mentoring as they feel out fit for leadership within both secular and religious contexts [see also pre-theology/seminary].
All of this can be done on a one to one basis. But it also can be more intentional through serving as an active student participant in my office’s programs, worship services and retreats. Or, step that up a notch by serving in a leadership through my office. The Chaplain’s student leadership circle assists with both Christian and Interfaith Understanding based programming, retreats, worship, study groups, diversity bridge building, support of under represented faith groups, civic engagement and other caritas based opportunities. Interested? Let’s talk. Email me to set up some time together at cquehl-engel@cornellcollege.edu.
Spiritual Biography Series
In this highly popular series, Cornell faculty from differing faith backgrounds are invited to look at their life as an unfolding sacred text or narrative. By sharing the traditions, experiences or events, people, ideas, and forks in the road, which have shaped them, we are invited to do likewise, exploring our own spiritual auto- biographies.
A December Sampler of Multi-Faith Holiday Opportunities:
ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET @ Wrap It Up Wed & Thurs (Nov. 30 & Dec 1) from 11-1 on the OC
- Artisan crafts including scarves, jewelry, bowls, and toys. 100% of sales from SERRV items go to artisans in small-scale, cooperatively run producer groups in 35 countries as part of this nonprofit’s mission to eradicate poverty and "promote the social and economic progress of people in developing regions of the world by marketing their products in a just and direct manner.” http://www.serrv.org/AboutUs.aspx
- Pottery by Prof. Doug Hanson, with proceeds going to Potters for Peace water chlorination. Potters for Peace works with clay artisans in Central America and worldwide on ceramic water purification projects. Every day 5,000 children die due to unsanitary water, (WHO 2005). Potters 4 Peace has traveled the world teaching the fabrication of a low-cost ceramic water filter that can bring clean, portable water to those who need it most. http://www.pottersforpeace.org/
HOLIDAY CARD SIGNING FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL from Iowa serving in Afghanistan and Iraq Nov 3 &Dec 1, 11-1 on OC– Cards provided . You sign at the Alternative Gift Market, we’ll mail through military chaplaincy connection.
ADVENT Soul Feast Chapel with Peace Eucharist (Holy Communion) this Wednesday, Nov 30 from 12-12:40 p.m. in Allee. Preparing our hearts for Christmas.
CHANUKKAH CANDLE LIGHTING. Lighting the menorah in Allee Chapel at 5:00 every night of Chanukkah (except the Friday of the party). Starts this Wednesday Everyone welcome! ~ Sponsored by Hillel
Find Peace, renewal, energy, and spiritual grounding to help you get through the blues of winter. Contemplative practice with brief instruction during East-West Meditation & Mindfulness each Friday from 11-noon in Allee Chapel. ~ Led by chaplain.
KWANZAA & CHANUKKAH PARTY this Shabbat, Friday, Dec. 3rd. Menorah candles @ 6:30pm and Kwanzaa ceremony in the Armstrong House behind the Thomas Commons. Free food! To rsvp contact Lidia Pruente at lpruente12. Also, we will be baking challah in Armstrong House right after class on Thursday, and will be cooking latkes right after class on Friday in preparation for our fantastic party. We need people to help cook!!! I hope to see you there! ~ Sponsored by BACO and Hillel
LAS POSADAS WITH OLA this Friday, Dec. 3rd. Begins at 6:30 pm in Olin lounge, then stopping in Merner, then the info desk, then ending with the celebration at Stoner House. Sponsored by OLA. Las Posadas originated in Spain. It is a yearly tradition for many Catholic Mexicans and some other Latin Americans and symbolizes the trials which Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place to stay where Jesus could be born.
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS SERVICE Wed., Dec. 8th - 6:30 p.m. Allee An hour of gentleness, beauty and peace to prepare our hearts for receiving Christmas. Lessons and carols, Chamber Singers, hope-filled holiday message by chaplain.
HOLIDAY PARTY AT CHAPLAIN’S HOME for the Chaplain & Spiritual Life Leadership Team and folks interested joining. Sunday, Dec. 12 6:30 to 8. Must rsvp to cquehl-engel and indicate if you can drive (meeting at The Info Desk at 6:20). The Chaplain & Spiritual Life Team makes up Cornell’s Interfaith Understanding & Exploration programming, and Soul Friends which provides offerings in open-minded, wide-hearted, & hope-filled Christian spirituality.
For numerous other offering from Cornell’s various groups from Deep Water, Buddhist Interest, and Sanctuary to RCCA, Buddhist Interest, FCA and Campus Crusade go contact folks on Cornell’s website under Student Religious Orgs http://www.cornellcollege.edu/organizations/.
INTERFAITH HOLY DAY CALENDER FOR DECEMBER 2010 with definitions below (expand your cultural and spiritual competency):
- 2-9
- Hanukkah * - Jewish
- 6
- Saint Nicholas Day - Christian
- 7
- Hijra - New Year * ** - Islam
- 8
- Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) ** - Buddhism
- Immaculate Conception of Mary - Catholic Christian
- 12
- Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Christian
- 16
- Ashura * ** - Islam
- 16
- Posadas Navidenas through December 25 - Hispanic Christian
- 21 Solstice
- Yule * - Wicca/Pagan Northern hemisphere
- Litha* - Wicca/Pagan Southern hemisphere
- Yule - Christian
- 25
- Christmas * - Christian
- 26
- Feast of the Holy Family - Catholic Christian
- Death of Prophet Zarathushtra ** - Zoroastrian
- 28
- Holy Innocents - Christian
- 31
- Watch Night - Christian