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News and Programs 08.25.22
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Celebrating WISE Pre-Orientation 2022
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The Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL) is delighted to have completed the second year of our WISE (Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration) Pre-Orientation Program. This program is designed to welcome entering first-year students to Emory's Atlanta campus while providing an opportunity to learn about faiths and interfaith, social justice, and explore campus and Atlanta.
We are grateful to our group of 40 student leaders for their engagement throughout a week of activities, including dinner at Glenn Memorial Church, the University Catholic Center, and Bread Coffeehouse; touring Ebenezer Baptist Church and the childhood home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; visiting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Atlanta; sharing Langar Lunch at the Sikh Guru Nanak Mission Society Gurudwara; joining in Jumu'ah Prayers at the Al-Farooq Masjid; practicing meditation at Kim Cang Buddhist Monastery; and enjoying Shabbat dinner at Hillel at Emory. We're excited to continue working with these interfaith student leaders for years to come.
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Kim Cang Buddhist Monastery
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Guru Nanak Mission Society Sikh Gurudwara
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Students: Apply to Be a Flourishing Fellow
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As part of Emory’s focus on Student Flourishing, the Flourishing Fellows program seeks to foster resilient, inclusive, and relationship-based communities on campus. This program will bring together a group of 12-15 diverse student leaders to be trained in the work of dialogue and community-building, and then actively engage their peers and their communities.
Deadline to apply: September 2
Application and Flourishing Fellow Position Description
This program seeks 12-15 full-time undergraduate students to serve as Flourishing Fellows for the 2022-2023 academic year. We seek candidates from diverse spiritual, religious, nonreligious, and ethical backgrounds. Specific responsibilities of the Flourishing Fellows include:
- Participate in two-day off-campus retreat away from campus to bond as a group and to take a deep dive into the work of listening, connecting, and developing friendships. Flourishing Fellows will arrive back on campus with a toolbox for meeting new peers and deepening relationships with existing friends.
- Participate in a weekly lunch meeting, which will allow fellows to further develop skills, continue bonding as a group, and work as a group to manage the challenges they face.
- Coordinate coffee/tea meetings with 40 fellow Emory students over the academic year. Engagements might happen in the DCT or at Kaldi’s (Fellows will have a coffee budget) or strolling around campus. In these conversations, Flourishing Fellows will be tasked with creating a reflective space for delving deeper, making connections, and imagining innovative opportunities for community engagement.
- Fellows can develop different ways to engage students for these meetings–they might start with acquaintances, or advertise the opportunity to meet for coffee and a meaningful conversation, or potentially even receive a referral for a coffee chat.
- Participate in alternate weekly one-on-one supervision meetings with the program director for coaching and guidance.
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Dean of Religious Life Gregory W. McGonigle and student spiritual leaders who shared benedictions at Convocation 2022
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Convocation 2022
On Tuesday, August 23, incoming Emory undergraduate students celebrated Convocation. Student leaders from multiple spititual traditions shared benedictions, including the one included below from Emory Buddhist Club leader Jasmine Mahadumrongkul:
On this momentous day, as we surround ourselves with new friends and communities, let us open our hearts and minds to let in all the blessings of being alive. As we explore the beautiful historic grounds of Emory campus, let us engage with everything with renewed curiosity. As we encounter the many strangers, who will become our friends, may we bring with us kindness, love, and laughter. Let us bask in each other’s presence, celebrate our joys and new friendships as we expand our communities. Sabbe Sattā Sukhī Hontu - May all of us here remain safe and well in mind and body.
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Celebration of Indigo Prayers and the Emory Praise House Project
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On Sunday, August 28, celebrate the exhibition "Indigo Prayers: A Creation Story" and the launch of artist activist Charmaine Minniefield's Praise House Project at Emory with a series of public events.
Conversation and Dance Performance
1:30 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Dr. Julie B. Johnson, chair of the Dance Department at Spelman College, and Tamara Williams, associate professor of dance at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, will join Charmaine Minniefield for a conversation about movement as medicine, embodied memory, and the ring shout as resistance.
The conversation will be followed by a performance by the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters from Darien, Georgia, led by seventh-generation shouter Griffin Lotson. The ten-member group has been performing professionally since 1980, educating and entertaining audiences around the United States with the "ring shout," a compelling fusion of counterclockwise dance movement, call-and-response singing, and percussion.
The program is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Emory's Office of Spiritual and Religious Life and Program in Dance and Movement Studies.
Ancestral Feast
4:30 p.m., Ackerman Hall, Carlos Museum
Join Charmaine Minniefield for a contemporary take on the traditional gathering prepared by Chef Cleophus Hethington, 2022 James Beard finalist for "Best Emerging Chef." Chef Cleophus will create a family style meal inspired by his interpretation of the foodways of the African Diaspora. Break bread in honor of those who have come before as Minniefield shares her vision for the Praise House Project over the next two years, culminating with a Praise House on the Emory campus in fall of 2023.
Fee: $60 for Carlos Museum members; $85 for non-members. Space is limited and registration is required for this event.. To register, please click here.
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Spiritual Life Resouce Fair 2022
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On Tuesday, August 23, OSRL hosted a Spiritual Life Resource Fair on the Cox Hall Bridge, which gave students the opportunity to connect with student leaders, religious life affiliates, and OSRL staff from a variety of religious and philosophical communities. There was ice cream, iced coffee, and many great conversations about ways to get involved.
We have also been able to meet students at resource fairs at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Candler School of Theology, Laney Graduate School, Rollins School of Public Health, and the Emory School of Law. Our team is looking forward to participating in fairs at the Goizueta Business School next week.
If you were unable to meet us at these fairs, you can learn more about our office and religious life affiliates on our website here, as well as at the Undergraduate Involvement Fair next Tueday, August 30 from 7-10 pm on McDonough Field. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
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Muslim Jumu'ah Prayers
Friday, August 26, 1:55 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Join Emory OSRL for Friday Prayers as you return to campus. For questions, please contact isam.vaid@emory.edu.
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Hillel at Emory: Shabbat
Friday, August 26, 7:00 pm., Marcus Hillel Center, 735 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
Welcome to Emory. Shabbat is a great way for students to get to know their new peers and enjoy a delicious Shabbat meal with the students and staff of Hillel. Contact: Hillel Rabbi Ilan Schwartz, ilan@emoryhillel.org. RSVP here.
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Chabad at Emory: Shabbat Service and Dinner
Friday, August 26, 7:30 p.m. Chabad, 1526 N Decatur Road
Join fellow Emoryites and experience Shabbat at Chabad. A perfect blend of gourmet food, spirited singing, friendly schmoozing, and inspired ideas. This is not to be missed. Please RSVP here.
Chabad at Emory: Welcome BBQ
Tuesday, August 30, 5:00 p.m. Chabad, 1526 N Decatur Road
Join Chabad in celebrating the start of the new school year with a BBQ. RSVP here.
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University Catholic Center: Sunday Mass
Sunday, August 21, 9 a.m., Cannon Chapel
Join us for Sunday Mass on-campus during this orientation weekend. Stay after Mass to meet student leaders and staff members from the University Catholic Center over coffee and donuts.
Contact: Catholic Affiliate Michael Zauche, michael@emorycatholic.org.
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Beloved Community Christian Worship in Cannon Chapel and Lunch
Sunday, August 28, 11 a.m Service., Noon Lunch, Cannon Chapel
Emory Beloved Community is a weekly progressive ecumenical Protestant worship service for the campus community, held in Cannon Chapel and followed by a free lunch. All are welcome.
Contact: Christian Chaplain Rev. Maddie Henderson, mhend25@emory.edu.
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TONIGHT: Buddhist Meditation
Thursday, August 25, 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.
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Hindu Aarthi
Friday, August 26, 5 p.m., Cannon Chapel Sanctuary
Join Emory's Hindu community for weekly prayers and community. All are welcome.
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Mindfulness and Well-Being Circle
Mondays, Starting August 29, 12:30 p.m, Cannon Chapel Room 106
Mindfulness and Well-Being Circle is a space for cultivating and engaging in mindfulness practices for our individual and collective well-being. It is a place for community, rest, and learning. All are welcome to the circle for group meditations, contemplations, and reflections facilitated by Buddhist Chaplain Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman. For questions, please contact priya.rakkhit.sraman@emory.edu.
Light refreshments will be provided.
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Elul Daily Reflection Prompts
Each year, Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Jordan Braunig sends out daily emails in Elul, the month of reflection leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Sign up here.
You don't need to be religious.
You don't need to be Jewish.
You don't need to be human. (jk!)
In fact, it is a month all about being human. It is a time of acknowledging our fallibility, seeking out our holy sparks and, hopefully, becoming more awake and more conscientious as people.
Rabbi Jordan is excited to be partnering this year with his friends at Jewish Studio Project on these daily missives. For questions, please contact jordan.braunig@emory.edu.
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Additional Fall Start-up Programs
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Hillel at Emory: Weeks of Welcome
August 19-September 2, 2022
Join Hillel at Emory for Weeks of Welcome. Learn more here.
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Reformed University Fellowship (RUF): Cookout
Saturday, August 27, 5 p.m., Campus Life Pavilion
Join R.U.F. for a free cookout dinner, yard games, and fellowship. Contact: RUF Affiliate Rev. George Hamm, rufdooley@gmail.com.
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Emory InterVarsity GCF: Friday Gathering
Friday, August 26, 7:00 p.m., Brooks Commons, Cannon Chapel
Join us for our Welcome Back Friday Gathering Dinner on August 26 to begin the Fall 2022 semester. You are welcome to invite guests. RSVP here.
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Emory Wesley UMC Ministry Welcome Week
August 23-28, 2022
Announcing our Welcome Week events this fall at Emory University. We can’t wait to connect with you all this semester. More details TBA but send us a DM in the meantime, we’d love to hear from you. See you soon.
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Weekly Spiritual Gatherings
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There are a plethora of weekly religious and philosophical gatherings offered at Emory. Many of them are listed here and at the button below.
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Weekly Interfaith Midday Respite Interfaith Contemplation
Wednesdays, Noon, Virtual
Interfaith Atlanta offers a weekly 30-minute virtual midday respite focused on peace, compassion and kindness at noon on Wednesdays.
Join here.
Passcode: 060135
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Equitable Dinners Atlanta
Sunday, August 18
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Out of Hand Theater, The Fulton County Remembrance Coalition, and other community partners are hosting a day of meals, conversations, and remembrance of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre.
There are opportunities to participate as a host, actor, facilitator, or guest. Register here.
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Student Involvement Fair 2022
August 28-31, 2022, 7-10 pm, McDonough Field/McDonough Plaza
Interested in learning more about student organizations on campus. Nearly 100 organizations participate daily. Each day there will be food trucks, novelty activities, giveaways, and music. Come back every day for something new.
- Sunday 8/28 - Glow Jam, featuring: Service/Philanthropic. Pre Professional, Academic organizations, Fraternity/Sorority chapters and councils (IFC, EPC, MGC, NPHC)
- Monday 8/29 - Emory Spirit Fest, featuring: Club Sports, Recreation & Wellness organizations, Student Government, University Offices/Departments/Programs
- Tuesday 8/30 - County Fair, featuring: Cultural/Ethnic, Diversity, Spiritual/Religious, Faith-Based, and Philosophical organizations
- Wednesday 8/31 - Land of Curiosities, featuring: Political & Ideology and Arts & Media organizations
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Emory Pride First Year Welcome
Monday, August 29, 2:00 p.m., Freshman Quad
This event is meant to welcome new LGBTQ+ students to campus and encourage them to get involved with the queer community on campus. Feel free to stop by to meet your fellow queer classmates and enjoy a day on the freshman quad. Learn more on The Hub.
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Opportunities and Resources
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Fall 2022 Jewish Studies Course Sampling
For Fall 2022, the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies is listing a diverse set of undergraduate courses in the fields of literature, history, Middle Eastern Studies, and religion. Take a look at all of our exciting offerings here.
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Ethics and Servant Leadership Forum Applications Open
"Develop the Power to Serve and Lead for the Common Good.”
The need for developing capable, compassionate, and committed citizens and leaders is greater than ever. The current reality has demonstrated how much society needs responsible, imaginative, and creative young leaders not only to revitalize and transform existing institutions, organizations and ways of thinking, but also to create new ones. The EASL Forum will help you become such a leader.
The EASL Forum, a weekly, interdisciplinary program, focuses on service, community building, and leadership development. The Forum consists of 15 students who learn and serve together over the course of the academic year. This shared journey emphasizes building integrity, personal growth, bridge building, and community engagement.
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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.
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Paryusana Festival
Tue., Aug. 23 – Tue., Aug. 30, 2022
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, Paryusana 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.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Tue., Aug. 30, 2022
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.
Das Laxana Festival
Wed., Aug. 31 – Fri., Sep. 9, 2022
Tradition: Jainism
(the Paryusana Festival of Jain Digumbar Sect): A 10-day festival that is considered to be a holy convocation. During these days, Jains impose some restraints on their daily activities by fasting, meditation and prayer. The last day of Paryusana is the most solemn occasion of forgiveness and the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought.
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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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