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A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
On behalf of the University Chaplaincy team, you are invited to the Russell Lecture on Spiritual Life today at Goddard Chapel. Russell is the oldest endowed lectureship at Tufts and is hosted each year to give a spiritual perspective on this modern moment—it is never an easy task but is always an honor to choose speakers each year with this charge.
This year we are welcoming two speakers whose work and perspectives will shape your ideas of leadership. Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson is the first Black woman and non-Presbyterian to lead Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, and the second woman ordained at The Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rev. Dr. Patrick Reyes is A Chicano writer, theologian, and executive leader, he is the bestselling and award-winning author of The Purpose Gap and Nobody Cries When We Die. He serves as Auburn Theological Seminary’s first Dean of Latinx or Indigenous Descent. Together, they will reflect on their respective and shared leadership through the keynote “Leading with Love: Learning from Histories and Imagining Futures.” You can register below to attend or receive the recording.
As a team, we are so deeply glad to host and learn from these leaders, and consider anew what leadership grounded in love can look like for each of us. We look forward to hosting you! You can email the University Chaplaincy with any questions or accessibility needs and register below.
Warmly,
The University Chaplaincy Team
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Special Interfaith Opportunities
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Interfaith Field Trip Week
Sunday, April 6, Wednesday, April 9, and Saturday, April 12
Thanks to our Advancing Religious Pluralism Grant from Interfaith America, the University Chaplaincy invites all students to Interfaith Field Trip Week this spring! We will host three field trips between Sunday, April 6, and Saturday, April 12. If you attend two of the three trips, you will be entered into a raffle to win a picnic tote filled with local goodies and supplies for a Pres Lawn picnic. Transportation is provided, and a meal will be served at each event.
- Islamic Society of Boston, Sunday, April 6, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm (lunch provided)
- Sri Lakshmi Hindu Temple, Wednesday, April 9, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm (dinner provided)
- St. Cecelia's Catholic Church, Saturday, April 12, 11 am-2:00 pm (lunch provided)
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Community Action: Where do we go from here? Volunteer!
In February 2025, the Interfaith Ambassadors and the Tufts University Chaplaincy hosted its annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Community Action (DOCA) focused on housing justice in Medford and Somerville. The group critically engaged with the issue by hearing from a panel of local activists and housing experts. Aligning with the theme for this year, "Where Do We Go From Here," Interfaith Ambassadors have included a list of volunteer opportunities for Tufts students and community members to serve locally near campus and in Greater Boston. We encourage you to sign up for an opportunity as you can commit to this semester. After putting your name and email on the spreadsheet next to an opportunity, an Ambassador will follow up with you via email.
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Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
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Our events and weekly gatherings are open to everyone in the Tufts community. You can find a calendar and descriptions of our regular events on our website. If you have an idea for a gathering or event, please contact the University Chaplaincy.
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Community Iftars with the Muslim Students Association (MSA)
MSA will be hosting multiple community iftars over the course of the holy month of Ramadan! Most iftars will be held in the Interfaith Center (58 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA) unless otherwise noted on the calendar. As a general note, please come a little early to help with setup and stay a little late to help with cleanup! We cannot put these iftars together without your support. Contact Muslim Chaplain Khan Shairani with any questions.
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Building Bridges Initiative with Tufts Hillel
Apply by Friday, March 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Building Bridges is an initiative centered around creating meaningful conversations across differences. Emphasizing learning and practicing dialogue skills, students will engage as a cohort in discussion about American ethics across religious and political divides. Topics will include women’s rights, the intersection of science and religion, and LGBTQ+ and transgender rights.
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University Chaplaincy's Spring Carillon Concert
Friday, March 28, 5:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
Join for the spring carillon concert! The Goddard Chapel bells make up the carillon, and to play them you just need to know how to play piano. Students are welcome to play any song of their choosing, whether it is a more traditional classical song, a modern day pop song, or anything in between. All are welcome to enjoy the concert, and light refreshments will be served. Please contact Chaplaincy Music Director Suzanne Cartreine with any questions.
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Chrysalis Retreat for Graduate Students
Saturday, March 29, to Sunday, March 30, Bethany House of Prayer, Arlington, MA
Register by Thursday, March 13
Graduate students are invited to attend this retreat focused on personal transformation. This interfaith program is being organized and hosted by Ryoka Teramachi, a student in Tufts’ DEIJ-L MA program, and Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell. Travel, accommodations, and meals will be provided. Please register (below) by March 13. Contact Ryoka or Dan if you have any questions or would like to learn more.
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Retreat with Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha
Saturday, April 5 - Sunday, April 6 at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, Springfield, NH
Sign up by March 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Tufts Sangha and Tufts Buddhist Chaplaincy are so excited to host you for the Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha's Spring Retreat at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH! Please fill out the form below by March 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET to confirm your availability. We can only take a limited number of students. We will finalize our guest list and waitlist by March 26, so you have plenty of time to plan for anything you may need before the retreat. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Buddhist Chaplain Vineetha Mahayaye or the Sangha.
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Spaces to be Human Open Call
Submit by Tuesday, March 25
What does it mean to feel human? Within systems that don’t account for our whole selves, resistance can be found in life-affirming actions—slowing down, finding common ground, and embracing connection. This ethos shapes Spaces to be Human, a one-night exhibition that unfolds from the warmth of centering wholeness. We invite artists to submit up to three artworks that explore their relationship to spaces of connection—whether through a physical shared space, the landscape of your own body, or an emotional space that holds meaning for you. Spaces to be Human will be held in Goddard Chapel and is co-curated by SMFA students Tainá Rocha, A27 and Elijah Mirman, A27 in collaboration with the University Chaplaincy.
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Upcoming Religious Celebrations and Observances
To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, including information about seeking religious accommodations at Tufts, please follow the link to the Tufts Multifaith Calendar.
Nineteen Day Fast
Friday, February 28 – Wednesday, March 19, 2025
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. Observances may include fasting.
Ramadan
Friday, February 28 – Sunday, March 30, 2025
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Approximate date (moon dependent). The Holy Month of Ramadan is the month of fasting during which Muslims who are physically able do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. The evening meal is celebrated with family. Observance(s) during this time may include fasting.
Great Lent
Monday, March 3 – Saturday, April 19, 2025
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. Observance(s) during this time may include fasting.
Fast of Esther
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Begins at dawn. A minor Jewish fast from sunup to nightfall. Observance(s) during this time may include fasting.
Purim
Thursday, March 13 – Friday, March 14, 2025
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing of costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor, and socializing. Preceded by the Fast of Esther, Purim is a day of feasting.
Holi
Friday, March 14, 2025
A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem
Sunday, March 16 – Thursday, March 20, 2025
Celebrates the creation of human beings and honors the souls of the deceased.
Ostara
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Vernal Equinox, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark and the arrival of Spring.
Naw Ruz
Friday, March 21, 2025
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. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Birth of Prophet Zarathustra (Khordad Sal)
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith.
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Support the University Chaplaincy
Supporting programs at Tufts University in religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life is easy and vital to our work. To donate, please click on the button below. Thank you for your generosity.
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The University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide spiritual care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
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