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Weekly News and Programs 3.19.20
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Message from the University Chaplain
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Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well during this time of unexpected disruptions and transitions. Much has changed over the last few weeks as the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop worldwide. Many students have relocated and prepared to end the semester and year learning remotely, and staff and faculty have been working to support the campus community and transition to online teaching. This situation has also touched everyone's lives beyond education and work in profound ways. While the circumstances of COVID-19 are beyond our control, the Emory community has been rising to the occasion with great effort, understanding, compassion, resiliency, and grace in a very challenging time.
During this time of transition, University Spiritual and Religious Life is committed to continuing to adapt and advance our mission of supporting spiritual and ethical life and building meaningful community and connection. Although we needed to make the difficult decision to suspend OSRL-related communal gatherings in Cannon Chapel for now, our team, affiliates, and campus religious and spiritual communities have already quickly developed online opportunities to continue to worship, meditate, learn, reflect, and connect. Many of those opportunities are listed in our e-newsletter, and we will continue to send updates as new opportunities are developed.
We also want to stay in conversation with you about how we can best support you during this time. Please take a moment to share what might be helpful on this form or please email religiouslife@emory.edu. Our chaplains and staff are also available to arrange pastoral care and support via (404) 727-6226 or religiouslife@emory.edu. Please do not hesitate to reach out. We will seek to resume regular communal gatherings and campus programs and services as soon as possible.
I hope you are finding ways to find some peace and balance in this time of many changes. Of course, our prayers are with all those who are ill or impacted and their loved ones, those who have faced discrimination and hardships, and all those who are working courageously in health care and human services. I am grateful to be part of such a community of caring and service in this unusual time, and for the teachings of hope and renewal that are promised by our traditions of spring.
Sincerely yours,
Greg
The Reverend Greg McGonigle
University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life
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University Spiritual and Religious Life Team
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Tonight: Buddhist Club Guided Meditation and Discussion
Thursday, March 19, 6:00 p.m., Zoom
With COVID-19 fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about our life are felt globally and in our own homes. This is a difficult situation when mindfulness and care for each other are important more than ever. Let us join for some mindful reflection at this critical time, being distant yet together. To join the meditation via Zoom, please click here: https://emory.zoom.us/j/515025945.
All are welcome to try out mindfulness and meditation practice with Emory Buddhist Club this Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. No experience is needed. Come relax and focus, and explore the workings of our minds.
The EBC is a student-led effort. Our primary mission is to provide a free, weekly opportunity for anyone with any interest in Buddhism or meditation to meet, practice, and learn with qualified Buddhist teachers from the Atlanta area. Our meetings are always free and open to the public. We welcome anyone, regardless of meditation experience or point of view.
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The Rev. Dr. Lyn Pace, Chaplain, Oxford College
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Sunday: Virtual Beloved Community: Protestant Worship at Emory
Sunday, March 22, 11:00 a.m., Zoom Video/Phone
Dear Beloved Community,
Since the last time we met in-person as a community much has changed. I know that Spring Break didn’t end up the way any of us thought it would. COVID-19 has changed so much for now and for the future, and we know you’re preparing for remote learning and student experiences for the remainder of the semester.
In an effort to keep our community as connected as possible during this time, we plan to continue our worship with Beloved Community virtually. We hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. eastern via zoom at https://emory.zoom.us/j/857899939.
If you can’t join us in real time, we’ll post the link so that you can participate later. Our service may look a bit different given this new reality, and we ask your patience as we transition to this new way of being together. In the meantime, be well and safe and remember to wash your hands.
Blessings,
Lyn Pace
Coordinator, Beloved Community Worship
Oxford College Chaplain
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Upcoming Spiritual Life Programs
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Emory Food Pantry at Bread Coffeehouse
Bread Coffeehouse offers a free open pantry for students at Emory who are in need. Bread Coffeehouse has closed for now due to COVID-19 precautions; however, the Eagle Food Co-Op will still be operating until March 22. Please email eaglefoodcoop@breadcoffeehouse.org to set up an order pickup.
For more information, please click here.
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University Catholic Center - Remote Fellowship Opportunities
While we may have been physically scattered across the country due to the coronavirus, it doesn't prevent us from being able to pray and grow in faith together. We've set up a few recurring events that you can join in on from your computer or phone: https://emory.zoom.us/j/434321715
- Rosary Night - Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
- Game Night - Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.
- Quaero Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. (3/18 and 3/25)
- Bible Study - Fridays at 6:00 p.m.
For more information, please click here.
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Virtual Hillel - This Week's Events
Monday, March 17-Saturday, March 21, 2020
Torah Tuesday
Tuesday, March 17, 8:00 p.m. via Zoom
Join Taylor for some meaningful discussion: Vashti (Re)Visited: Villainess or Vixen? Feminist or Foe? Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/350240740
(Meeting ID: 350 240 740). Join the Facebook event here.
Wellness Wednesday
Wednesday, March 18, 3 p.m. via Zoom
Emory and UGA Hillel are hosting an online yoga session for Wellness Wednesday. Join here: https://zoom.us/j/395015661. Join the Facebook event here.
Israel Update Thursday
Thursday, March 19, 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Election who Remember BC (Before Corona), Israel had elections. Who will form a coalition? Can they form a coalition? Will there be a 4th election? Join Michal to find out what's up with that.
https://zoom.us/j/414013141. Join the Facebook event here.
Havdallah thru the phone
Saturday, March 21, 10:00 p.m. via Instagram
Who said self-quarantine means you have to be by yourself? Let's get together (online) and end Shabbat on the right note. Keep an eye out for Emory Hillel to go LIVE on Instagram @emoryhillel and FB for a Hadvallah ceremony Saturday evening. Join the Facebook event here.
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Emory Adventist Christian Fellowship (Emory ACF)
Emory ACF is glad to help support the Emory community with the following activities:
Prayer Line
Would you like for someone to pray with or for you or someone else? Then please call our prayer line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 770-695-7773.
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Weekly Virtual Bible Study
Emory ACF Zoom Bible study 7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday evenings through the end of the term.
Everyone is welcome to join in for weekly fellowship, encouragement from the Word, and prayer. Join at: https://emory.zoom.us/j/688621103
Meeting ID: 688 621 103
One tap mobile
+14703812552,,688621103# US (Atlanta)
+14702509358,,688621103# US (Atlanta)
Please feel free to reach out with other needs or questions to Diana Marsh, Emory ACF President or Margo Bagley, Emory ACF Faculty Advisor.
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Emory Hillel Pet Meet and Greet
Monday, March 23, 12:00-1:00 p.m., Zoom
Monday is National Puppy Day, and we want to meet all you pets. Find the zoom link below, join in, and get some much needed animal love. Join via zoom here: https://zoom.us/j/314527310.
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Virtual Veritas Forum
Coronavirus and Quarantine: What Big Questions Can We Be Asking?
Tuesday, March 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Register here: bit.ly/VeritasForumLivestream
Within the span of a week, things have changed quickly, unexpectedly, and uncomfortably. Over 250 colleges and universities have gone virtual overnight. What now? What if this disorienting season of quarantine is not simply isolating and inconvenient? What if it provides a space for reflection to ask some of life’s biggest questions and reorient ourselves around the truth to be discovered? Join us with students from colleges and universities around the country as we ask big questions. We will hear from David Brooks (NY Times), Andy Crouch (Praxis), Lydia Dugdale (Columbia Medical), and Andrew Schuman (Veritas Forum) during this live Q&A session. Sponsored by Emory Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
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POSTPONED: Riyaaz Qawwali Music Concert at Cannon Chapel
Formerly Saturday, March 21, 7:30 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Please note that all OSRL-related communal gatherings in Cannon Chapel have been postponed, including the Riyaaz Qawwali Music Concert. We hope to reschedule for next academic semester. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
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Help the Emory Community Respond to COVID-19
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Student Hardship Fund
Join Emory’s efforts to address the immediate needs of students experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. Your gift to the Emory Student Hardship Fund provides life-changing assistance to Emory students in need due to a crisis or catastrophic event. While there is no way yet to calculate the full impact of COVID-19 on the Emory community, it has already disrupted life on campus significantly—sowing uncertainty in students’ lives by creating unexpected housing and food expenses; restricting travel and potentially stranding them away from home; limiting their income from hourly jobs or work-study positions; and creating other unforeseen challenges.
By helping meet their immediate needs, the Student Hardship Fund can give Emory students the ability to overcome the difficult setbacks COVID-19 poses.
Learn more, and give, here.
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Faculty and Staff Hardship Fund
Join Emory's efforts to address the immediate needs of those in our community experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. Your gift to the Emory Hardship Funds will provide vital assistance to Emory University faculty and staff and Emory Healthcare employees who are experiencing financial hardship due to a catastrophic event like COVID-19.
While there is no way to calculate the full impact that COVID-19 will have on the Emory community, it has already disrupted life significantly—sowing uncertainty, creating food insecurity, upsetting travel and conferences, interrupting work schedules, creating additional medical expenses, increasing child care needs, introducing unexpected housing burdens, and creating other unforeseen challenges.
By helping Emory faculty and staff, and Emory Healthcare employees meet their immediate needs, the Hardship Funds offer help for overcoming the difficult setbacks posed by COVID-19.
Learn more, and give, here.
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Upcoming Religious Holidays and Festivals
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.
Nineteen Day Fast
Ongoing through Thursday, 3.19.2020
Tradition: Baha'i
A designated 19-day period of fasting each year immediately before the Bahá’í New Year. The fasting is seen as a period of spiritual preparation and regeneration for the new year ahead.
Great Lent
Ongoing through Saturday, 4.18.2020
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
In Orthodox churches, the first day of Lent marks the beginning of the Great Fast, the final six weeks of a 10-week period leading up to Holy Week and Easter (Pascha). In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter.
Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem
Monday, 3.16 – Friday, 3.20.2020
Tradition: Zoroastrianism
Celebrates the creation of human beings and honors the souls of the deceased.
Naw Ruz
Thursday, 3.19.2020
Tradition: Baha'i
The seventh greatest festival, "New Day" is the first day of the Zoroastrian/Persian and Baha'i New Year. It falls on the spring equinox and symbolizes the renewal of the world after the winter. For Zoroastrians, Naw Ruz also celebrates the creation of fire that is symbolic of Asha, or righteousness. It is also the day on which Zarathustra received his revelation.
Ostara
Thursday, 3.19.2020
Tradition: Wicca/Paganism
Vernal Equinox, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark and the arrival of Spring.
Laylat al-Isra'wa al-Mi'raj (Mi'raj al-Nabiy)
Saturday, 3.21.2020
Tradition: Islam
Commemorates the ascension (al-Mi'raj) of the Prophet to heaven following his night journey (al Isra') from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent to heaven and return the same night. Begins at sundown.
Naw Ruz
Saturday, 3.21.2020
Tradition: Zoroastrianism
The seventh greatest festival, "New Day" is the first day of the Zoroastrian/Persian and Baha'i New Year. It falls on the spring equinox and symbolizes the renewal of the world after the winter. For Zoroastrians, Naw Ruz also celebrates the creation of fire that is symbolic of Asha, or righteousness. It is also the day on which Zarathustra received his revelation.
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Emory OSRL Enews is published weekly during term by the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life covering Atlanta-campus programs. 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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