Dear Beloved Community,
I hope you are having a wonderfully relaxing summer so far. My name is Maddie Henderson, and I wanted to reach out to introduce myself to you as the new Christian Chaplain in Emory OSRL. I want to tell you a little about myself and then share with you my vision for this ministry. And I also want to invite your input (ideas, hopes, and desires) for the Beloved Community as I continue planning for the fall semester.
So first, a little bit about me. I was born and raised in Macon, GA (home of Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band). After getting my BA in English at Samford University in Birmingham, AL, I returned to Macon to teach high school English. I loved teaching and the time I had with my students, but the call to ministry grew louder. In 2016, I moved to Boston, MA and began my Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in chaplaincy at Boston University School of Theology. I served as the Graduate Intern and then the Protestant Chaplain at Bentley University, just outside of Boston, and after graduation, I worked as an Admissions Officer for BU School of Theology. In that role, I enjoyed conversations with students about vocational discernment, faith development, and community building. The pandemic brought me back to Macon, where I have worked remotely for the last year. Then on June 7, I officially joined the Emory University community as the Christian Chaplain. I’m ecstatic to be part of the Emory community and to get to know you.
Now, a little about my role and how I can help you. Below are five main aspects I see as part of my role. If you have other ideas or feedback about how I can support you, please reach out to me. As your Christian Chaplain, I hope to be a:
- Community Builder - Working with you to build community within the Beloved Community, in the larger Christian community at Emory, and in the Emory community at large. I hope to connect with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners and provide meaningful ways for you to build relationships with each other.
- Pastoral Care Provider - This includes one-on-one meetings where we can discuss whatever you want (such as declaring your major, joining a spiritual community, questions of faith and belief, or even your current favorite TV show). I’m also available if you have a death in your family, experience a hard time, or need support.
- Host - Collaboratively planning retreats, weekly events, holiday celebrations, and more! Part of my role is to develop fun and spiritually enriching events that serve our community.
- Mentor and Teacher - Preaching, facilitating book studies and workshops, and helping equip you to do the same is part of my role as a Chaplain.
- Representative - In the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, in the Emory community, and in the Atlanta area, and beyond.
I am so excited to meet you in person and to be a part of this community. I hear amazing things from Dean McGonigle and our great Director of Music Maury Allums! As you dream about the 2021-2022 school year, please don’t hesitate to email me at madelyn.mary.henderson@emory.edu. Lastly, be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, August 22 at 11:00 a.m. in Cannon Chapel for our first Beloved Community worship service of the new school year.
Grace and peace,
Maddie
Chaplain Maddie Henderson, MDiv
Christian Chaplain
Office of Spiritual and Religious Life
Emory University