Bodhi Day, Winter Holidays, Thanksgiving
Bodhi Day, Winter Holidays, Thanksgiving
 
News and Programs 11.16.23
Bodhi Day
Emory Bodhi Day Celebration  
Thursday, November 30, 6:00 p.m., in Cannon Chapel Sanctuary
Bodhi Day is celebrated in the Mahayana Traditition of Budhism to commemorate the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Guatama Buddha. Join the Emory Buddhist community and spiritual friends from Atlanta to celebrate this occasion and close the fall semester with spiritual reflection, contemplation, and gratitude. A vegetarian dinner will follow the practice.
Cosponsored by Emory Buddhist Club and Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu. Please register here.
Register Here
Celebrate Winter Holidays at Emory
The Emory community will celebrate winter holidays in the coming weeks with music, art and special spiritual events. All programs are open to the public. For a list of programming, please click here. This list will continue to be updated.
For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
Save the Date: Emory Christmas Party
Sunday, December 3, 6:00-7:30 pm, Emory Interfaith Center, 1707 N. Decatur Road
Join Emory OSRL, Christian Religious Life Affiliates, and Christian Student Organizations for a joint Christmas party at the Emory Interfaith Center. We will have hot chocolate and hot cider, a s’mores bar, and ornament decorating. Register here
For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
Save the Date: Emory Chanukah Celebration
Thursday, December 7, 5:30 p.m., Emory Kaldi's, Emory Student Center
All are welcome for Chanukah celebration sponsored by Emory’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life in conjunction with Chabad, Hillel and Meor. Chanukah snacks will be provided as well as a festive candle lighting. All are welcome. Come shine light and share joy with the whole Emory community. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
A Call for Compassion
Dear Members of the Emory Community,
Greetings of peace. In this time of deep loss, grief, ongoing bloodshed, and hurt, we write to you as leaders within the interfaith community at our Emory.
At moments such as this, let us avoid the vilification and polarization that have long plagued our society, take good care of each other, affirm each other’s dignity, and find ways to be in conversation across difference. We must seek to “other” no one, but instead, work towards making sure that everybody feels welcome and safe at our shared Emory, where “The wise heart seeks knowledge.”
The conflict in Israel and Palestine has triggered incidents of Islamophobia, Antisemitism, and Anti-Arab bias, across our country and across the globe. We ask that all of us would recognize our common humanity and the sacredness of every life.
Our hope is that Emory will be a place where hatred, prejudice, bias, and bigotry find no foothold. We are deeply pained by the loss of life and dispirited by the continuing cycles of violence, but we maintain a fervent hope that a time of peace will come. Let us live out the vision of a community guided by consideration, kindness, and understanding, right here at Emory.
If you are interested in an OSRL-facilitated, reflective conversation across differences about the war and its impacts, please express your interest here and we will be in touch.
Rabbi Jordan Braunig
Jewish Chaplain
Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL)
Emory University
Dr. Isam Vaid
Muslim Religious Life Scholar 
Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL)
Emory University 
Emory Interfaith Center Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm
Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday-Sunday: By reservation for programs

All members of the Emory community are welcome to drop in for free coffee, tea and snacks and to meet with the OSRL team. To request an event reservation, please visit interfaithcenter.emory.edu. The Emory Interfaith Center is located at 1707 N. Decatur Road. 
For more information, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu
Photo of college students performing gospel music. The audience is visible.
Recap: VOIS Fall Concert 
The Emory Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir under the direction of Mr. Maury Allums, a group that has been active on campus for over 30 years, held its annual Fall Concert last Saturday night, November 11, in Cannon Chapel. The evening included worship music from different Christian genres and featured special alumni guest vocalists, along with a special “Happy Birthday” song for Emory Vice Provost Dr. Carol Henderson. This concert was dedicated to peace in our world today.
After the music, the choir, students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and guests enjoyed a light dinner in Brooks Commons to nourish bodies after the soul-nourishment of the concert. 
Racial Healing Circles at Emory (Virtual)
Thursday, December 7, 1:00-2:30 p.m., Zoom
The Emory University community is invited to participate in the first Racial Healing Circle hosted by the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Initiative. A Racial Healing Circle is an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together and establish connections through our shared humanity. It is a safe, brave, and responsible space where people recognize they have more in common than different. The circle experience is a place where your story is seen, heard, and valued.
Register here.
Midweek Musical Meditation
Midweek Musical Meditation
Wednesdays during term, 12:00-12:15 p.m. EST, Zoom and Facebook Live 
All are invited to reflect and decompress in a mid-week, mid-day time of sacred music. Join Music Director Maury Allums and the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life in taking a moment to breathe and connect with others in our community. Register on Zoom or follow on our Facebook Live
Midweek Musical Meditation - 11.15.2023
Midweek Musical Meditation - 11.15.23
Upcoming Programs
Emory HSA: Meal Packing
Friday, November 17, 1:00 p.m. Meet at Raoul Circle by 1:10 p.m. All cars will depart by 1:25 p.m. 
HSA will be assisting Food4Lives, a local non-profit that aims to "feed, educate, and empower the homeless of Atlanta". 
Volunteers will assist with food distribution throughout downtown Atlanta. More information can be found here.
RSVP here.
Muslim Jumu'ah Prayers
Friday, November 17, 1:55 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Join Emory's Muslim community for Friday Prayers. For questions, please contact Isam Vaid.  
There will be no Jumu'ah Prayers at Cannon Chapel on Friday, November 24, due to Thanksgiving Break.
Hindu Aarthi
Friday, November 17, 5:00 p.m., Cannon Chapel
Join Emory's Hindu community for Friday Aarthi. For questions, please contact Chaplain Shweta Chaitanya.
There will be no Hindu Aarthi at Cannon Chapel on Friday, November 24, due to Thanksgiving Break.
Hillel at Emory: Shabbat
Friday, November 17, 6:30 p.m., Marcus Hillel Center
Join Hillel for Shabbat dinner this Friday. Learn more here.
International Community Friday Lunch (Special Thanksgiving Edition!)
Friday, November 17, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Cannon Chapel.
Join ISSS and OSRL for a special Thanksgiving edition of the International Community Friday Lunch. As this is the final ICFL of the semester and just prior to Thanksgiving we will be serving special Thanksgiving meals.
International Community Friday Lunch (ICFL) is a long-standing collaboration between the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL) and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The purpose of this gathering is to extend a warm welcome and build a community for international students and scholars while enjoying free lunch. Attendees will also meet sponsors who will share helpful resources.
CFL occurs on Fridays from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm in Cannon Chapel Brooks Commons. Meals are limited; therefore, please register in advance for each week you will attend.  Register here
InterVarsity: Thanksgiving Dinner
Saturday, November 18, 5:00 p.m., First Alliance Chuch of Atlanta
International InterVarsity Fellowship offers a Thanksgiving dinner and game time for international students and visiting scholars, who are studying and researching at colleges in GA.
NOTES: Registration fee is $10, you will receive your $10 at our check in table, if you cancel or dont show up, we will not refund this. (Food is expensive and we do not want to waste money to order food then you dont show up.)
Register here
Guided Meditation and Discussion
Buddhist Meditation in Cannon Chapel
Thursdays, 6:00 p.m., Cannon Chapel
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: Emory Buddhist Chaplain Ven. Priya Rakkhit Sraman, psraman@emory.edu.
There will be no Buddhist Mediation Thursday, November 23 due to Thanksgiving Break. 
Beloved Community
Beloved Community Christian Worship in Cannon Chapel
Sundays, 11:00 a.m. Service, Noon Free Lunch, Cannon Chapel
Emory Beloved Community is the weekly progressive ecumenical Christian worship service for the campus community held Sunday mornings in Cannon Chapel and followed by a free lunch. All are welcome. For more information, contact Emory Christian Chaplain Rev. Maddie Henderson Herlong.
Pride Service has been rescheduled for Spring 2024 semester. 
Preaching November 19: Rev. Dr. Lyn Pace, Oxford College Chaplain
There will be no service on Sunday, November 26 due to Thanksgiving Break.
University Catholic Center Upcoming Events
Community Coffee Hour
Sundays at 10:00 a.m. - Cannon Chapel Brooks Commons
Join us on Sunday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass for coffee, breakfast goodies, and conversation with friends.
Faith Formation: Catholicism 101
Sundays at 10:30 a.m. - Cannon Chapel Room 105D
Discover the beauty, spirituality, and truth of the Catholic Church - join Fr. John on Sundays if you are interested in learning about Catholicism and deepening your understanding of the faith. All are welcome. Interested in receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, and/or First Eucharist? Sign up or request more info here.
Student Dinner and Bible Study
Sundays at 6:00 p.m. - University Catholic Center
After the 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass each week, join your fellow Catholic students for dinner followed immediately by our weekly bible study.
Community Rosary at the Catholic Center
Friday, November 17 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. - University Catholic Center
We can show our adoration to God in many ways, but in Eucharistic Adoration, we spend time adoring the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We invite you to join us in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament every week.
Emory Catholic Caroling Day
Saturday, December 2 from 9:40 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - University Catholic Center (Sign up here)
You're invited to join our Music Ministry team for a day of caroling at local assisted living facilities and senior homes around Druid Hills. We will be meeting at the University Catholic Center to carpool. At each stop, we will set up a mini concert in their common space and perform 20-30 minutes of Christmas Music. All the songs will be common Christmas songs, like what we perform at the Christmas party. You are welcome to sing or play an instrument. At 12:30 p.m., we will break for lunch (pizza, which will be provided as a thank you for your volunteering,) and then we will go to a couple more stops and end around 3:00 p.m. Sign up here so we can plan for food, and please email Chiara with any questions: chiara.j.antonioli@gmail.com
Monday Mindfulness Meditation
Mondays 6-7 p.m., Emory Interfaith Center Meditation Room, 1707 N. Decatur Road
Facilitated by Emory Buddhist Chaplain Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman, the Mindfulness Circle is a space exclusively for Emory students to practice mindfulness as a group. Every Monday during the semester, we will engage in a mindfulness exercise followed by conversations around the practices of mindfulness. Light refreshments will be provided. 
For more information, please contact Venerable Priya at psraman@emory.edu.
Muslim Students Association: Qur'an Study
Every other Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on the first floor of Cannon Chapel
Emory MSA is excited to announce the beginning Quran Study starting October 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Canon Chapel 1st floor and continue every other Tuesday. They are starting this week off with the first 20 ayahs of Surat Hijr and go from there.
Learn more here
Orthodox Christian Fellowship: Wednesday Bible Study
Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Cannon Chapel Room 314
Welcome back to campus. We’re beyond excited to kick off this school year with Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
For questions, please contact ocfemory@gmail.com
RUF: Wednesday Large Group 
Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, Brooks Commons, Cannon Chapel
Love God. Love People. Love Emory.
Contact: RUF Affiliate Rev. George Hamm, rufdooley@gmail.com
Partner Programs
Trans Day of Remembrance: Altar Making
November 13 - November 20
Bring flowers, a photo, artwork, an electric candle, or anything else to LGBT Life between November 13 and November 20 to add it to our altar to celebrate the lives of the trans and GNC family we have lost. Weekdays, Nov. 13 to Nov. 20 at Cox Hall 324 (LGBT Life) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Praise House Project
October 20-December 15, 2023, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church Lawn
A public art installation and immersive digital experience honoring the African and African American traditions of the Praise House and Ring Shout. Praise Houses were small, usually wooden structures commonly used for worship by enslaved peoples across the American Southeast.
As an act of resistance, congregants would gather in circle to stomp or shout upon the wooden floors, performing what was known as the Ring Shout (a full body rhythmic movement). This act ultimately created a communal drum—secretly preserving their cultural identity and traditions. Learn more about related events here
Off Campus Programs
Green Team Summit: Rooted in Resilience
Saturday, February 3, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Oak Grove United Methodist Church
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light is thrilled to announce that their seventh annual Green Team Summit will be on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, Georgia. As with Summits in the past, Green Teams, faith leaders, and environmental activists from across the state are invited to gather for a time of fellowship and shared learning. You may register here today.
Weekly Gatherings
Weekly Spiritual 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.
Community Weekly Gatherings
Additional Opportunities
Jewish Service Corps Opportunity 
The Jewish Service Corps is an engaging service year program for changemakers ages 21-26 ready to launch their careers in social justice work.͏‌
Corps Members spend a year serving full-time at a local non-profit in Chicago, New Orleans, New York, or Washington, DC while living and learning in pluralistic, justice-oriented Jewish community. 2024-2025 applications are now open.
Apply here
Queer Divinity Students Thriving in the South
The Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South (RCWMS) is looking for queer students to join a four-month, virtual, peer-supported cohort led by an experienced facilitator. Find more information here
Scholarships for Methodist students:
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation offers $2+ million in scholarships to Methodist students planning to attend a United Methodist-related school next year.
Applications open on January 1 for most awards. Learn more here.
Jews of Poland: History and Memory
May 19-30, 2024
If you’re interested in the joining TIJS’ Summer Study Abroad one-credit program in Poland, you may want to consider taking the complementary course, JS 271 “Memories of Jewish Eastern Europe.” The trip is set for May and the prerequisite is either to take Prof. Goldstein’s spring 2023 course or do pre-readings in advance of the program.
If you’d like to learn more about the May trip to Poland, contact Paul Entis (paul.entis@emory.edu).
Annual Major Religious Holidays List -- Academic Year 2023-24
As planning begins for courses, programs, and meetings for the 2023-24 academic year, OSRL seeks to provide guidance for the Emory community regarding upcoming religious holiday observances that may impact large numbers in our community. These dates are provided to assist community members with avoiding potential schedule conflicts, and can be found below. Please give special attention to the bolded holidays, as they often require accommodation. In some cases, it is ideal to avoid assignments and programs on these dates to be most equitable.
Below are lists of major religious holidays observed by sizeable religious demographic groups within the Emory community.
For questions, please contact 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
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Fri., Nov. 24, 2023
Tradition: Sikhism
This day commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675), the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defense of the Sikh faith, but also of Hinduism and of religious liberty.
Day of the Covenant
Sat., Nov. 25, 2023
Tradition: Baha'i
Celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, as the Center of the Covenant. Work is not suspended on this day. Begins at sundown.
Guru Nanak's Birthday
Sun., Nov. 26, 2023
Tradition: Sikhism
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha
Mon., Nov. 27, 2023
Tradition: Baha'i
Commemorates 'Abdu'l-Baha's death. Begins at sundown.
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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