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Weekly News and Programs 5.7.20
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Multifaith Baccalaureate for the Class of 2020
Each year, we look forward to celebrating graduating seniors and sending them into the world with blessings in the Multifaith Baccalaureate Ceremony. Although that will not happen in the way we planned this year, a group of Emory seniors, chaplains, faculty, and staff collaborated to create a Multifaith Baccalaureate for the Class of 2020 that will be broadcast through Emory communications channels on Friday, May 8, 2020.
Baccalaureate is an Emory Commencement tradition that formally celebrates the academic and personal journeys of the graduating senior class and sends the class into the world with music, prayers, inspiring reflections, and blessings.
The program will feature the following:
- Greetings by the President, Deans, Faculty, Staff, and Affiliates
- Prayers and meditations by Members of the Class of 2020
- Special music by Christina Ye, Dom Refuerzo, and ChaiTunes
- Reflections by Suman Atluri, Alana Giarrano, Mariam Hassoun, and Xavier Sayeed
Enjoy watching the special online Baccalaureate with your loved ones on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Oxford College's Baccalaureate will also stream on Friday at 5:00 p.m. EDT. For the full schedule of Emory Commencement events, click the link below.
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TODAY: Virtual Buddha Day Celebration
Thursday, May 7, 2020, 6:00 p.m. Eastern, Zoom
Join us as we celebrate Virtual Buddha Day commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha. The program will include meditation, chanting, Dhamma talks, and student reflections. For more information, please contact Buddhist Religious Life Scholar The Venerable Upali Sraman at upali.sraman@emory.edu. Sponsored by the Emory Buddhist Club and the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life.
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Buddha Day (Vesak) Greetings
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 | The Venerable Upali Sraman
OSRL Buddhist Religious Life Scholar
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| Vesak (Buddha Day) Greetings.
The Vesak full moon, appearing on May 7 this year, has been celebrated by Buddhists globally as the Buddha Day. It marks the birth, awakening, and great demise (mahaparinirvāna) of the Buddha. I extend my heartiest greetings of this auspicious day to all.
Like many religious celebrations such as Easter, Passover, and Ramadan, the Vesak celebration is also happening quietly at our homes this year. Many of us are saddened by the fact we are not able to gather with our communities to celebrate our religious events. Yet, the very unusual quietness of this year’s Vesak is also an opportunity for deeper reflection on what this means for us. We can reflect on what the Buddha and his teachings mean to us. What relevance do these teachings have for our personal spiritual growth and for the world in the 21st century, especially at a time of global pandemic, such as the one we are experiencing today?
As I reflect on these questions, a pithy statement of the Buddha comes to my mind.
“Looking after oneself, one looks after others.
Looking after others, one looks after oneself.”
The Buddha goes onto elaborate this statement as follows:
“And how does one look after others by looking after oneself?
By practicing (mindfulness), by developing (it), by doing (it) a lot.
And how does one look after oneself by looking after others?
By patience, by non-harming, by loving kindness, by caring (for others).
(Thus) looking after oneself, one looks after others;
and looking after others, one looks after oneself.” (Sedakasutta of Saṃyuttanikāya. Translated by Andrew Olendzki)
This teaching succinctly presents the interdependent nature of our everyday life and the need to sustain it through mutual acts of care. I invite all of us to reflect on this. Let us look after ourselves by practicing mindfulness in our everyday life. Let us also look after others by being patient with them, not harming them, practicing loving kindness towards them, and caring for them. In essence, let mindfulness be a safe refuge for us so that we can become a safe refuge for others near and far.
As we reflect on this let us also express our gratitude to the Buddha. We are also grateful to all the great people who preserved his teachings for us.
May all beings find happiness and peace!
The Venerable Upali Sraman
Buddhist Religious Life Scholar
Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life
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May Is National Mental Health Awareness Month
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 | The Rev. Dr. Bobbi Patterson
Professor of Pedagogy
Department of Religion
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May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and one way to celebrate is to explore the work of The Reverend Dr. Bobbi Patterson, professor of pedagogy in the Department of Religion at Emory University. We invite you to hear and read Dr. Patterson's words in one or all of the following ways:
Compassion Meditation
Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Eastern, via Zoom
This group welcomes Emory students, faculty, and staff, as well as Emory neighbors. The group uses a range of compassion meditation practices from Cognitively-Based Compassion Training, Metta practices, and Grounding in Compassion Practices. Beginners are welcome to this supportive community gathering each week for the sake of compassion. Contact Bobbi Patterson at bpatter@emory.edu for the Zoom link. Book: Self Care for Mental Health Professionals
Routledge is providing free downloads of Self Care for Mental Health Professionals. This compilation of five chapters includes one by Emory's Dr. Patterson, titled Rewriting the Story of Service and Burnout.
Creating time and space for your own self-care is critical to prevent and recover from burnout and compassion fatigue. Each chapter is written by a clinician whose lived experience enhances their professional expertise. With timely advice on topics such as managing your emotions and sustaining your practice during an economic downturn, it is a must-read for all helping professionals.
To get your free download of the book, click here. Wabash Center’s New Podcast Series: Dialogue On Teaching
Hosted by Director Nancy Lynne Westfield, the Wabash Center's new podcast series, Dialogue on Teaching, brings together faculty teaching religion and theology in a wide range of institutional contexts. The dialogues illuminate teaching life and amplify the Wabash Center’s mission.
In episode 35, Dr. Bobbi Patterson speaks about teaching in a changed landscape. To listen to her podcast online, click here.
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TODAY: The Racist Attacks Against Asian Americans during the COVID Era
Thursday, May 7, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern, Webinar
Starting on Thursday, join the Emory Alumni Association for the kick-off of a webinar series that will highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion and discuss some of the recent challenges that some Asian Americans have had to face during the pandemic. The kick-off event will be a moderated discussion about how to address and try to prevent acts of violence against our Asian American community. Issues related to mental wellness, psychological impacts, healthcare, spirituality, and responsibilities of global citizenship will be explored.
To learn more about the webinar series, submit questions, and register, please click here.
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In Memoriam: C. Ivan Maddox
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The Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life is saddened to share the news of the passing of our longtime administrative colleague C. Ivan Maddox. Ivan served at Emory for some 32 years and was a beloved coworker, mentor, and friend of generations of faculty, staff, and students. He will be deeply missed. A memorial service in Cannon Chapel will be planned for a later date when possible.
Those who wish to send cards to his family (no flowers please) or to make a donation toward a student support fund in his honor are invited to contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
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OSRL News: Journeys of Reconciliation Endowment Established
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Thanks to a generous $25,000 gift from the Helen I. Plummer Charitable Foundation, which joined the gifts of many Emory students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families, the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life is delighted to announce the initial establishment of the Journeys of Reconciliation Endowment Fund.
Journeys of Reconciliation is an interreligious immersion program, open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Emory University, that explores the root causes of conflict and builds relationships between Emory University and communities in the U.S. and around the world. Journeys trips cost and average of $3000-$5000 per participant depending on the destination. The most consistent challenge we hear from students is coming up with their share of the cost.
The Journeys Endowment establishes Journeys of Reconciliation as a permanent part of OSRL's transformative spiritual life programming and will expand student scholarships, allowing more Emory students to have the opportunity to partake in this unique program. Although the endowment is now established, it will need to grow considerably to cover the costs of the program. Learn more about the Journeys of Reconciliation program here. To join us in supporting Journeys, please click here. To learn more about the benefactor, Helen Ingram Plummer, who was a strong supporter of the arts in Atlanta and the mother of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet James I. Merrill, please click here.
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Religious Life Affiliates Update: Congratulations to The Rev. Blair Setnor from Glenn Memorial Church
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Religious life affiliates contribute to the Emory University Spiritual and Religious Life mission to support religious and philosophical communities and promote interfaith engagement at Emory. Learn more about the Religious Life Affiliates here.
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After serving at Glenn Memorial Church for 11 years, and as a Religious Life Affiliate with the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life this past year, The Rev. Blair Setnor has accepted the associate pastor role at Decatur First UMC. In the past year, Blair helped launch the Atlanta Wesley Fellowship, an Emory graduate student and young professional ministry. Throughout the year, the group has met for weekly trivia nights, small group and Bible study, service opportunities, and more. Please join us in thanking Blair for her service to the Emory community. We wish her well in this new journey. Read a letter from The Rev. Blair Setnor to the Glenn Memorial Church community here. Learn more about the Glenn Memorial Church Young Adult Fellowship below.
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Glenn Memorial Church Young Adult Fellowship
Our Young Adult Fellowship group is staying connected online during this time of social distancing. This group of graduate students, young professionals, and beyond want to welcome all young adults to join them for virtual drinks and to get plugged in.
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Glenn-Emory Clairmont Cookie Celebration
On Tuesday, May 5 at 5:15 p.m., through the Glenn-Emory Committee, Glenn Memorial Church brought some cheer and refreshment to students on Emory's Clairmont Campus by sending cookies from Tiff's Treats. Many thanks to Glenn Memorial Church for sponsoring and organizing this and to Emory Residence Life and Housing Operations and the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life for facilitating.
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OSRL Staff Spotlight: A Prayer Led by Sara McKlin, Cannon Chapel Site Operations Coordinator
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At the end of April, Sara McKlin led the Candler community in a beautiful prayer. If you missed it, be sure to listen above. Sponsored by the Candler Office of Worship.
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Ramadan: April 23-May 23, 2020
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which observing Muslims fast from all food and drink from dawn to sunset for a lunar month. Fasting is regarded as an essential spiritual practice for body, mind, and soul that is highly valued across Muslim communities. The observance of fasting during the month of Ramadan is noted in the Qur'an and has come to represent the values of reflection, unity, celebration, and personal as well as communal growth. This year, the sacred month of Ramadan is expected to be observed from April 23-May 23, 2020 (These days could potentially shift one day based on the sighting of the moon).
For more information, please click here.
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OSRL Online Resources During COVID-19
During this time of COVID19, 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 at Emory and beyond.
We’ve created a webpage for OSRL Online Resources during COVID-19.
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Upcoming Spiritual Life Programs
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Hillel Global Giving Week
May 4-8, 2020
Emory Hillel is excited to announce the first-ever Hillel Global Giving Week taking place May 4-8. Just this week, all donations made to Emory Hillel will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500 per gift.
Sponsored by Emory Hillel.
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Emory Muslim Student Association Presents: Virtual Senior Farewell
Sunday, May 9, 4:00 p.m., via Zoom
Asalamu’ alyekum everybody! Join the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) for a Virtual Senior Farewell so we can give our seniors the proper send-off they so well deserve.
For more information, please click here.
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Virtual International Student Coffee Hour
International Student and Scholar Services and the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life invite you to Virtual International Student Coffee Hour. Starting April 24, join over zoom to chat with international students and scholars every Friday at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
The purpose of this event is to connect our global community wherever we may be in the world. Please note that some may be observing the Ramadan fast.
To learn more, please click here.
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Beloved Community Protestant Worship: Summer 2020 Book Club
Although Beloved Community Worship has concluded for the Spring 2020 semester, there are opportunities to stay connected through the summer. To stay connected and to nurture our relationships, please join any and all who would like to read a book together. Barbara Brown Taylor is an Emory College alumna and has written with wisdom a book called “An Altar in the World.”
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This is a work given to our time as so much of the world has changed in startling and unsettling ways. This is something we hope will help us come closer together in the midst of the distance a pandemic brings. It is a book full of practices like waking up to God, wearing skin, walking the earth, living with purpose, feeling pain, and being present to God. Our plan is to read a chapter a week (around 15 pages each) and meet each week to discuss and share. Meeting time will be both synchronous for all who can make it and an asynchronous discussion for those who cannot and still want to be involved (maybe via GroupMe).
If you would like to continue our community of faith throughout the summer (and through the distancing) as so many of our connections come to a close, please email kevin.crawford@emory.edu and we will gather together.
Also, if you have a moment, please follow us on Facebook where we share daily reflections on scripture. We are currently reading through the book of Luke and will move to Acts after that. Also, please follow us on Instagram where we can continue to connect and grow (digitally) in faith together.
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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.
- Weekly Mass - Sundays at 9:00 a.m. (EDT)
- Game Night - Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)
- Hot Takes Happy Hour - Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)
- Bible Study - Fridays at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)
For more information, please click here.
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UKirk Atlanta Zoom Lunch
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. EDT, via Zoom
The mission of UKirk Atlanta is to energize, coordinate, and develop relationship-based ministries on Atlanta area college campuses and to build connections between college students and PC(USA) congregations. In light of COVID-19, we invite you to have lunch with us every Tuesday. Pop by and chat with friends. Join us at https://zoom.us/j/264871422.
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We also have a lot to be thankful for this year. We have expanded our ministry to a new campus, grown our student involvement, started a monthly worship service, provided two internships for seminarians as future leaders of the church, and have successfully maintained our programming to a virtual setting during pandemic school closures.
We ask you to celebrate with us and our seven 2020 graduates in ensuring the future of this ministry by making a "20+" donation today. You can do so on our GoFundMe page or our website.
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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 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT, 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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Online SKY Campus Happiness Retreat
May 8-10, 2020
You are invited to the Online SKY Campus Happiness Retreat sponsored by SKY at Emory from May 8-10. This weekend event teaches you evidence-based holistic tools to unlock the secrets of well-being and productivity by managing stress. Discover simple tricks to build mental resilience and achieve excellence - be it your academics, career, or relationships.
Full scholarships are available for undergraduates. Graduate Students receive significant scholarships. Please fill out this scholarship link to receive a Promo code. Learn more about the event and register here.
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Compassion Practice and Fellowship Sessions
Daily, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST
In an effort to facilitate connection and foster resilience during this time, the CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training) program is offering a daily compassion practice and fellowship. Developed by Prof. Lobsang Tenzin Negi, PhD, at Emory’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, CBCT® is a system of contemplative exercises designed to strengthen and sustain compassion. This online community meditation is offered twice a day (9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST) and includes 45 minutes of guided meditation and discussion led by a certified CBCT® instructor. This is free and open to everyone. For details on how to join, please see CBCT’s COVID-19 Response.
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Additional Programs and Resources
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Arts at Emory Digital Newsletter
Arts at Emory presents the latest stories and experiences coming from the Emory community in their digital newsletter. To see our latest edition and/or submit your own material, click here.
Keep taking care of yourself and each other. We'll see you soon.
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Crossing the Virtual Quad
Thursday, May 7, 1:00 p.m., via Zoom
Thursday, May 10, 11:00 a.m., via Zoom
Do you miss the chance encounters of campus life, meeting someone new, connecting, finding a friend or simply having a great conversation? Join the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) for Crossing the Virtual Quad throughout the spring. No prework necessary, no homework - just come and connect to another human for an hour. If you’re interested in community time with the IFYC network and some religious literacy to boot, join us. All are invited to one or both sessions - register here.
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Quran Quest in the 21st Century
Nightly, April 23-May 22, 8:30 p.m. PST
Keep your Ramadan spirits up by joining Chaplain Adeel every night for the "Quran Quest" series.Throughout the month, we will cover every surah (passage) of the Quran with practical applications for the Muslim community in the 21st century. Each session will be approximately 10 minutes. Streaming will be live, giving you the opportunity to interact with the post and will be available in case you miss the live session.
For more information, please see the Facebook event 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.
Ramadan
April 23-May 23
Tradition: Islam
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.
Wesak
Thursday, May 7
Tradition: Buddhism
The commemoration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana, celebrated on the day of the full moon of the sixth lunar month in Southeast Asian cultures; in Tibetan culture, Wesak commemorates only the the enlightenment and parinirvana. The dates of this celebration vary significantly among Buddhist cultures and communities.
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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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