Celebrating WISE 2024, Spiritual Life Fairs, Elul Writing Prompts
Celebrating WISE 2024, Spiritual Life Fairs, Elul Writing Prompts
 
News and Programs 08.29.24
WISE 2024
Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration (WISE) 2024
Emory Interfaith Center
Celebrating the WISE Pre-Orientation Program 2024
From August 19-23, 2024, the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL) offered the fourth year of our WISE (Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration) Pre-Orientation Program. The program is designed to welcome entering first-year students to Emory's Atlanta campus while providing an opportunity to learn about different faiths and interfaith work and to build relationships on campus and in the city of Atlanta.
We are grateful to our group of about forty students and to our campus and Atlanta community partners for their participation throughout a full week of activities, which included:
  • dinner and speedfaithing at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church;
  • touring historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center in downtown Atlanta;
  • practicing meditation and enjoying delicious pho at Kim Cang Buddhist Monastery,
  • joining in prayers and conversation at Al-Farooq Masjid; 
  • experiencing a puja service and vegetarian lunch at Shree Shakti Mandir;
  • learning about the Torah at Congregation Shearith Israel;
  • and sharing a Langar Lunch at the Sikh Study Circle Gurdwara
We're excited to continue working with these interfaith student leaders and great community partners for years to come. To learn more about WISE, please visit our website here. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
Kimg Cang
Kim Cang Buddhist Monastery
Al-Farooq Masjid
Al-Farooq Masjid
Shree Shakti Mandir of Atlanta
Shree Shakti Mandir 
Congregation Shearith Israel
Congregation Shearith Israel
Sikh Study Circle
Sikh Study Circle Gurdwara
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
Welcome from Emory Spiritual Life
The Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL) is a multifaith chaplaincy for Emory students, faculty, and staff that supports the religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life of the Emory community. Whether you are deeply rooted in a religious tradition, seeking a spiritual practice or home, or even just curious about the role of religion and ethics in human lives and our world, Emory’s spiritual communities and programs are open to you to practice or simply to learn. 
  • If you have questions about how to connect with the resources you would like, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at religiouslife@emory.edu.
  • To learn more about our multifaith team, please find their information here.
  • To request an Emory OSRL printed calendar, please click here
Spiritual Life Fair Recap 2024
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Spiritual Life Resource Fair on Tuesday, August 27 on the ESC Promenade. OSRL chaplains, affiliates, and student leaders from over 25 spiritual, religious, and philosophical communities were present and shared information on gatherings, practices, and opportunities to get involved with spirituality and social justice.
OSRL has also been able to meet students tabling at the resource fairs at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Candler School of Theology, Laney Graduate School, Emory School of Law, Rollins School of Public Health, and the Emory School of Medicine. Our team is looking forward to participating in the fair at the Goizueta Business School soon.
If you missed us, please drop by the Student Involvement Fair on Wednesday, September 4 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. on McDonough Field. Wednesday is the night for religious and philosophical organizations. You can also read more about our communities here
Student Involvement Fair
Undergraduate Student Involvement Fair 2024
September 3-5, 2024, 8:00-10:00 p.m., McDonough Field
Are you just eager to get involved and see how organizations can benefit both you and the community? Come to the 2024 Fall Student Involvement Fair to learn more about student organizations on campus. Registered Student Organizations (RSO) will be there showcasing what they do and how you can get involved. You will get to meet individual members of organizations and ask any questions you have. Involvement opportunities are in abundance on this campus and there is definitely something for everyone at Emory. 
  • Tuesday: Academic; Pre-Professional; Political & Ideological
  • Wednesday: Culture/Diversity/Ethnic; Religion, Spirituality, Faith-Based, and Philosophical; Service, Philanthropy, and Civic Engagement; Sorority & Fraternity Life; University Offices, Departments, and Programs
  • Thursday: Recreation, Sports, Outdoor Activities, & Wellness; Arts & Media; Spirit and Traditions
Register here
Religious Accommodations: Major Holidays List for 2024-25
As planning continues for the 2024-25 academic year, Emory OSRL seeks to provide support for the Emory community regarding upcoming religious holidays that may impact large numbers in our community. These dates are provided to assist the community with avoiding potential schedule conflicts. Please pay special attention to the bolded holidays, as they often require accommodations in our community. For a list of major religious holidays observed by larger religious demographic groups in the Emory community, please click here.
For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu
Emory Jewish Chaplaincy: Daily Creative Prompts for the Month of Elul with Rabbi Jordan Braunig
Join Emory Jewish Chaplain, Rabbi Jordan Braunig, for daily creative prompts for the Jewish reflective month of Elul, leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Through poetry, thoughtful anecdotes, and hilarious side quests, Rabbi Jordan delivers incisive questions to help us spiritually prepare for a new year. Sign up, share this journey with a friend, and engage your creativity this Elul, a potent time in the Jewish calendar. 
Sign up here.  
Young Jains Convention
Emory OSRL: Young Jains of America Visit the Emory Interfaith Center
This past summer, Emory OSRL was honored to welcome 14 international Jain students who visited the Jain Shrine at the new Emory Interfaith Center as part of the Young Jains of America Convention held in Atlanta. This annual convention brings together young Jains from around the world, fostering a deep sense of community, spiritual growth and global awareness.
During their visit, the students engaged in meaningful discussions, explored the shrine's significance, and reflected on the rich traditions of Jainism. Their presence was a beautiful reminder of the global connections that faith and spirituality create, and we were delighted to share this sacred space with them. To learn more about Jain Life at Emory, including resources for the upcoming holiday of Paryushan, please email religiouslife@emory.edu
Upcoming Programs
Buddhist Meditation
Thursday, August 29, 6:00 p.m. Cannon Chapel Sanctuary

Join the Emory Buddhist community in guided meditation and discussion. Come to meditate, to make friends, and to learn about Buddhist life at Emory. Contact: Buddhist Chaplain Ven. Priya Rakkhit Sraman, psraman@emory.edu
Muslim Jumu'ah Prayers
Friday, August 30 1:55 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Join us for Friday Prayers as you return to campus. Followed by a special hot halal lunch in Brooks Commons. Join the Emory Muslim Life elist here.
For questions, please contact Ustadh Dr. Rahimjon Abdugafurov
Hindu Jahnmastami Aarthi
Friday, August 30, 5:00 p.m., Cannon Chapel Sanctuary

Join Emory's Hindu community for weekly prayers and community. Happy Jahnmastami! Celebrate with us this Friday at 5:00 p.m. in Cannon Chapel for our first event of the year. All are welcome.
To learn more, please click here
Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir: Fall 2024 Interest Meeting
Friday, August 30, 6:00 p.m., Wesley Teaching Chapel, 2nd Floor of Candler School of Theology
Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir will have its Fall 2024 Interest Meeting tomorrow night August 30 at 6 pm in the Wesley Teaching Chapel located on the 2nd floor of Candler School of Theology. Voices will meet there each week throughout the semester. We welcome all new student members who like to sing or want to learn how to sing in many styles of gospel and sacred music.
For questions, please email VOIS Music Director Maury Allums at mallums@emory.edu.
About Emory VOIS: The Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir, Emory's longstanding and dynamic gospel choir, welcomes all students who desire to praise God with song and serve as taught in God's word. The choir began with a concert on April 21, 1985 that included a homily by Civil Rights leader and minister The Reverend C.T. Vivian. Learn more about Emory VOIS here
Shabbat
Hillel at Emory: Shabbat
Friday, August 30, Services 6:30 p.m., Dinner, 7:00 pm., Marcus Hillel Center, 735 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
Join Hillel at Emory for Shabbat services and dinner. RSVP here. Sponsored by Hillel at Emory. 
Chabad at Emory: Shabbat Services and Dinner
Friday, August 30, 8:00 p.m., 1500 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta, GA 30306

Join fellow Emoryites and experience Shabbat at Chabad. A perfect blend of gourmet food, spirited singing, friendly schmoozing, and inspired ideas. RVSP is a must. Text “Shabbat Dinner” to 404.999.7787 to register. Sponsored by Chabad at Emory. 
University Catholic Center: Sunday Masses
Sunday, September 1, 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Join us for Sunday Masses on-campus.
Contact: Catholic Affiliate Michael Zauche, michael@emorycatholic.org.
Beloved Community
Beloved Community Christian Worship and Free Lunch
Sunday, September 1, 11:00 a.m Service; Noon Lunch, Cannon Chapel
Emory Beloved Community is a weekly ecumenical Protestant worship service for the campus community, held in Cannon Chapel and followed by a free lunch. All are welcome. All Emory students, staff, and faculty welcome. Contact: Christian Chaplain Rev. Maddie Herlong, mhend25@emory.edu.
Beloved Community Fall Retreat
Saturday, September 21, 9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Emory Interfaith Center, 1707 N. Decatur Road
Join us for worship and Bible Study, picnic in Lullwater, crafts and games, and delicious meals. For questions, please contact Rev. Maddie Herlong at mhend25@emory.edu. RSVP here
Beloved Community Bible Study: Dining with Jesus
Tuesdays starting September 3, 6:00 p.m., Emory Interfaith Center, 1707 N. Decatur Road
This fall we will explore the Gospel of Luke. We will focus on the meals Jesus has with people and what those meals mean for us today. Sign up here. For questions, email Rev. Maddie at mhend25@emory.edu
Additional Upcoming Programs
Hillel at Emory
Hillel at Emory: Weeks of Welcome
Weeks of welcome are coming up. Join us for an unforgettable Shabbat, stop by and see us on Saturday for a building tour, and indulge in our welcome back Sunday bagel brunch. We can’t wait to see you around. Learn more here
Reformed University Fellowship: Welcome Events
We are so looking forward to students returning. Mark your calendars for these events next week so you can come by and see us. Learn more here.  
Journey Christian Fellowship: Welcome Week Events
Here is the full week-long schedule for intro week this year that kicks off the school year. We look forward to meeting new and seeing familiar faces so soon. Learn more here
International InterVarsity Fellowship
Our summer activities ended and our new school year is about to start. Please check and sign up for our coming activities here. Learn more here
GCF
Emory InterVarsity GCF: August Welcome Dinner
Friday, August 30, 7:00 p.m., Brooks Commons, Cannon Chapel
Join us for a time of fellowship to welcome back returning members and meet new faces. All grad students are welcome, regardless of program or religious background. This is a perfect time to invite someone new. Please RSVP on our linktree
Collegiate Black Christians: Sweet Treats with CBC
Monday, September 2, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Emory Student Center South Side
Snack and chat with CBC. Swing by the ESC South Side on September 2 from 1-3 p.m. for some tasty treats and a chance to mingle with our members. Come hang out, meet new friends, and see what we’re all about. Can’t wait to see you there. Learn more here
GCF: Weekly Bible Study
Graduate Christian Fellowship: Weekly Bible Study
Thursdays starting September 5, 5:30-6:30 pm, Alumni Memorial University Center Room 125C
This semester, we will be studying the gospel of Mark every Thursday at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion. To learn more, please click here
Collegiate Black Christians: Reunion
Sunday, September 8, 2:00 p.m., Freshman Quad
Join us for the CBC Reunion. On Sunday, September 8, from 2 pm to 5 pm, we’ll be gathering on the Freshman Quad for an afternoon of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Don’t miss out on this chance to relive memories and create new ones with the CBC community. We can’t wait to see you there. Learn more here
Glenn Memorial Church
Glenn Memorial Church: Sunday Nights at Glenn: Who Are We?
Sunday evenings beginning September 8, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Glenn Memorial Church School Building Parlor
Ever wanted to know a little more about Glenn’s core values and the denomination to which it belongs? Introducing Sunday Nights at Glenn. Throughout September, we will explore the question “Who Are We?” and dive into what makes us “Glenn UMC.”
To learn more, please click here
Off Campus Programs
King Center: Beloved Community International Expo
Saturday, September 7, 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 449 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Learn more here
24th Annual Interfaith Prayer Celebration
Annual Interfaith Prayer Celebration and Fundraiser for Children: Piecing Together a Better Tomorrow
Sunday, September 8, 2:30 p.m., Loudermilk Conference Center
Join us for a faith and fun-filled evening as we recommit to Piecing Together a Better Tomorrow for every child in Georgia. Learn more here. Sponsored by Interfaith Children's Movement. 
2024 Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration
Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration 2024
September 14-15, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
In celebration of Southeastern Native American cultures and heritage, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park will host its 32nd Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration September 14-15, 2024. Celebration hours are 10:00am-5:00pm Saturday and Sunday. The Celebration will feature traditional cultural dances, storytelling, live demonstrations, music, and art. Fun activities for kids, like pottery making, will be available. FREE admission.
This event is hosted by the National Park Service and the Ocmulgee Mounds Association in coordination with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other southeastern tribes. Native American art and food will be available for purchase. Learn more here
World River Day
World River Day: Interfaith Creek Cleanup
Sunday, September 15, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Atlanta | Brookhaven | Decatur | Fulton | Fayette | Gwinnett
Join us, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, and Ismaili CIVIC on World River Day and Global Ismaili CIVIC Day, Sept. 15, to act upon a shared ethic of environmental stewardship and clean up seven sites in metro Atlanta including one at the Peachtree Creek Greenway in Brookhaven, two more in Decatur at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve and Mason Mill Park, a location in Fulton County, Fayette County, Gwinnett County, and another in West Atlanta. Cleanups are from 2-4 p.m. Register here. Registration closes September 10. 
Candler School of Theology: Morgan Forum
September 19, 2024
The Morgan Forum is an annual conversation between biblical scholars, translators, collectors, and the general public to consider the past, present, and future of the Bible. This year’s Morgan Forum is themed, “When Translation Really Matters: Momentous Decisions in the History of the English Bible," and highlights the significance of translation choices over the last 500 years. Some may ask, “Does it really matter which translation I choose?”
This event seeks to answer that question with a strong "YES!" Please join us for presentations from our Morgan Fellows, a gallery tour of Pitts Theology Library, and a screening of the critically acclaimed 2022 documentary 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker, local church leaders, and faculty from Candler and Columbia Theological Seminary. This documentary traces the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. Register for the Morgan Forum today and before September 12. 
Interfaith Atlanta: Interfaith Fall Festival
Sunday, September 22, 2:00-5:30 p.m., Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030
Save the Date: We are so excited to present our 4th annual Interfaith Festival. Join us for entertainment, food, friendship, community service, and music. Learn more here
Campus Partner Programs
Emory Tibet Week
Emory Compassion Center: Emory Tibet Week
September 3-6, 2024, Carlos Museum, Ackerman Hall Level 3
Join us for our annual observance of Tibet Week. This week-long celebration will feature events exploring Tibetan culture and celebrate the programs emerging from the collaborative efforts of Emory University and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Check out the full schedule here
Impact Service Day 2024
Saturday, September 7, 10:00 a.m., ESC MPR 4-6
Emory Impact Service Day is an old tradition with a new name. At the start of each semester the Emory community re-convenes and prioritizes our civic and community-engaged mission. This Day of Service especially invites new and transfer students but everyone at the same time, to start the new academic year off with a focus on engagement and positive collaboration for the greater good of our Emory community.
Register here
Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience
Monday, September 16, 4:00-5:15 p.m., Tull Auditorium
Please join the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory as we welcome Professor
Nathan Chapman (University of Georgia Law) and Professor Michael McConnell (Stanford
Law) for a discussion of their new book, Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause
Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience (Oxford University Press).
Their talk will be followed by a Q&A session led by Professor John Witte, Jr. (Emory Law). This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend. RSVP here
TAM Institute for Jewish Studies
TAM Institue for Jewish Studies
Walking Tour of Historic Jewish Atlanta 
Sunday, September 22, 2:00-6:30 p.m.
Join the Breman Jewish Museum's curator, Joel Silverman, for a two-mile walking tour of the downtown Summerhill neighborhood. We will unpack Atlanta's Jewish immigrant past including the sites of long-demolished institutions like the original location of Reform and Orthodox synagogues, explore the geographic divisions between Ashkenazi and Sephardic life, and see the home of Leo Frank. This event – including bus transportation - is FREE but SPACE IS LIMITED, so RSVP today.
Student Welcome Dinner
Wednesday, September 25, 6:00-7:15 p.m., Oxford Road Building’s Living Room
Come enjoy meet Jewish Studies faculty, majors & minors, and fellow students interested in learning more about the Tam Institute.  We’ll have a gourmet catered kosher dinner, swag, and lots of Raffle Prizes. We’ll also be sharing info about opportunities for future grants and awards. RSVP here
Consider JS courses during Add/Drop
While a handful of our fall semester classes are full, we still have spaces for enrollment in the below courses (and a few others).
  • Intro to Jewish Studies w/ Prof. Rosenblatt (JS 101, meets MW 2:30 – 3:45pm)
  • First Year Seminar Immigrants, Ethnicities and Identities in Latin America w/ Prof. Lesser (JS 190, meets M 9:00 – 11:45am)
  • Special Topics: The Bible w/ Prof. Gilders (JS 180, meets TTh 2:30 – 3:45pm)
  • Anthropology of the Jews w/ Prof. Seeman (JS 258, meets TTh 10:00 - 11:45am)
  • Slavery and Jewish History w/ Prof. Perry (JS 271, meets TTh 2:30 – 3:45pm)
  • Antisemitism and the Holocaust through Graphic Novels w/ Prof. Podbielska (JS 273, meets TTh 1:00 – 2:15pm)
  • The New Jew w/ Prof. Yeglin (JS 275W, meets MW 2:30 – 3:45pm)
  • American Jewish History w/ Prof. Goldstein (JS 329, meets MW 11:30am – 12:45pm)
  • The Modern Blood Libel w/ Prof. Schainker (JS 427W, meets 1:00 – 3:45pm)
You can also sign up for TIJS’ e-newsletter for more opportunities and events.  
Resources and Opportunities
Compassion Training for Emory Students
Wednesdays, September 25-November 13, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Cannon Chapel 106
Developed at Emory, CBCT® (Cognitively Based Compassion Training) offers a comprehensive method for training compassion that draws on the ancient lojong tradition of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and is supported by current scientific research in fields such as evolutionary biology, psychology and neuroscience.
You must be a currently enrolled, full-time Emory student to take this course. Space is limited to 20 students. Please do not register unless you plan to attend the majority of sessions, as it may prevent someone else from getting a spot. 
Register here
Emory Helpline
Emory Helpline offers paraprofessional, peer support (for students, by students). They operate as a “warm line” (as opposed to a hotline, which is specifically designed to respond to crisis and emergency situations), although they are trained to assess and respond to risk and crisis situations. They are well-versed in all matters pertaining to mental health, and campus resources / referrals. For their most up-to-date information and announcements, please visit them on Instagram: @emory_helpline
Fall 2024: 8:30 pm – 1:00 am every night 9/3 through 12/10 *with the exception of 10/12-10/15 (closed for fall break) and 11/26-12/1 (closed for Thanksgiving). 
Weekly Gatherings
Weekly Gatherings
There are a plethora of weekly religious and philosophical gatherings offered at Emory. Many of them are listed here and at the button below.
Can't find what you are looking for? Contact many of our undergraduate and graduate communities directly or contact our religious life affiliates and OSRL staff.
For questions, or to add an item to our weekly gatherings page, please email religiouslife@emory.edu.
Upcoming Religious Holidays
These events are drawn from the multifaith calendar maintained by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Harvard Divinity School. To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, please click here
Paryushan Festival
Fri., Aug. 30 – Sat., Sep. 7, 2024
Tradition: Jainism
Considered the holiest period of the year, these eight days are marked for Jains by fasting, meditation, prayer and public readings of the life story of Lord Mahavira. Observed especially by the followers of the Shvetambara sect, Paryushana concludes on Samvatsari, the most solemn occasion of self-scrutiny and forgiveness. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought.
Navaratri Begins
Tue., Sep. 3, 2024
Tradition: Hinduism
A major nine-night festival in honor of the divine feminine.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Fri., Sep. 6, 2024
Tradition: Hinduism
A celebration of Ganesh’s birthday, one of the major Hindu deities. Ganesh, who has the head of an elephant, is the God of Success and is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings.
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Sun., Sep. 8, 2024
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
Celebrating the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
Emory OSRL ENews is published weekly during term by the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life publicizing Atlanta-campus spiritual life programs. It is not a comprehensive listing. For Oxford College spiritual life, please click here. To submit information or to update your preferences, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu. 
 
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