Academic Flexibility Support Information from University Chaplaincy
Academic Flexibility Support Information from University Chaplaincy
Tufts University Chaplaincy
E-NEWs  12.12.14
MLK Save the Date
The Kuumba Singers of Harvard College perform at the annual MLK celebration at Tufts University on January 23, 2014. (Alonso Nichols/Tufts University). 
Academic Flexibility Support Information from University Chaplaincy

Especially in light of recent events, any student who wishes to have an academic flexibility support message sent to their faculty may request that through the University Chaplaincy. Please feel free to reach out to any of our chaplains and staff directly via their contact information: http://chaplaincy.tufts.edu/contact/. You can also call us at 617-627-3427, email us at chaplaincy@tufts.edu, or stop by Goddard Chapel anytime between 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday.
 
The University Chaplaincy offers its admiration and support to the many Tufts students, faculty, and staff who have devoted themselves to the cause of justice—against the racism that not only underpins many institutions in America but that also shapes and impacts our own campus community. Our team of chaplains are caregivers who recognize the emotional and spiritual distress that people in our community, and particularly people of color, are feeling as they approach an already busy period of the semester. As we all work to fight for justice in our own ways and through our own social positions, we want to remind all on campus that we are here for you, to support and advocate with you, and to listen to you in times of need.
Religious and Philosophical Life Programs 
Giving Tree
The Catholic Community at Tufts has set up a Giving Tree in the back of Goddard Chapel. There are 65 ornaments on the tree representing 65 children from St. Patrick’s parish in Roxbury. Each child’s name, age, and gender are written on an ornament. All are welcome anytime Goddard Chapel is open to take an ornament, and sign up to provide that child with a gift. You can sign up on the sheet next to the tree with your name, the child's name, and the number on the back of the ornament. You drop off the present in a collection box in Goddard on or before Sunday, December 14th and the Catholic Community at Tufts will deliver the gifts! The children are ages 3 - 7. Gifts should be around $10. Gifts do not need to be gender specific. If you are buying a doll, we ask that you please buy an African-American doll. Sponsored by the Catholic Community at Tufts.
Save the Date: MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 19, Times and location will vary

We are working with local community organizations in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston to organize opportunities for members of the Tufts community to serve, build relationships with local service providers, and put values into action. Learn more here
Sponsored by the Office of the President, the University Chaplaincy, the Africana Center, the Multicultural Greek Council, Capen Bible Study, and the Interfaith Student Council.

Save the Date: Annual MLK Community Celebration
Thursday, January 22, 6 pm, Goddard Chapel
All are welcome to attend. The event will include musical performances, spoken word, and more as we reflect on what it would mean to undergo a revolution of values. Learn more here.
Sponsored by the Office of the President, the University Chaplaincy, the Africana Center, the Multicultural Greek Council, Capen Bible Study, and the Interfaith Student Council.
Off Campus Programs
Shifting Realities: Dr. Khalil Shikaki on Palestinian Public Opinion 
Sunday, December 14, 7:15 pm, Brookline, MA

We want to remind you to RSVP today to join us on December 14th, 2014 in Boston for an evening of discussion with renown Palestinian pollster Dr. Khalil Shikaki, who will speak about current Palestinian public opinion. Most recently Dr. Shikaki polled public opinion on peace in June, prior to the war in Gaza and again in August following the final cease-fire. We are delighted that Kehilat Israel’s Israel Engagement and Education committee is co-hosting and that Temple Beth Zion's Israel Committee is co-sponsoring the evening's timely program with us. The program will be held in Brookline, MA on December 14th at 7:15p.m. followed by small group discussions. Further venue information will be sent to those who RSVP to events@encounterprograms.org. When you RSVP, please include: The names and email addresses of all who will join you, your affiliations, and 1-2 sentences about why you want to attend and what you hope to gain from this evening. A suggested donation of $36 is appreciated. $18 for students.

The Longest Night Service
Wednesday, December 17, 7pm, Connexion Church, 149 Broadway, East Somerville
A multichurch and spiritual-but-not-necessarily-religious service for the shadow side of the season. Whatever you are going through grief for a loved one, overwhelm, depression, doubt or anger at the deep injustices embedded in our world come and find relief. Together we'll be singing, making art, lighting fire, receiving healing prayer and more. Queer-safe space, agnostic-and-atheist-safe-space.  All are truly welcome. Contact Molly Baskette for more information. 

Partner Programs
Finals Hot Chocolate Study Break:
Friday, December 12, 9-11 pm, LGBT Center (226 College Ave.)

Need to take a break from studying for finals? Then come to the LGBT Center on Friday 12/12 anytime from 9-11 p.m. to enjoy a finals hot chocolate study break! We will have some holiday treats to snack on while you enjoy the different kinds of hot chocolate and toppings. We will also have a holiday movie playing, The Family Stone.
Resources, Scholarships, and Opportunities

Science Training Encouraging Peace (STEP) Program in Israel-Palestine
Through the Science Training Encouraging Peace - Graduate Training Program (STEP-GTP), pairs including one Israeli and one Palestinian young professional health care worker study together in upper-level graduate training programs. The STEP fellows work intensively together over time, getting to know, trust, and appreciate one another and their families and colleagues. The objective is to provide graduate-level training in order to advance careers, build bridges between the people involved, and show their communities that positive engagement is beneficial for achieving peace. By training young professionals who are or will be public figures (e.g., professors, doctors, dentists, entrepreneurs, etc.), the relationship between partners is spread, dozens of people are engaged, and goodwill is propagated. Please view our 3.5 minute video: https://vimeo.com/108606136 or visit our website for additional information: STEP-GTP.org. We currently have 6 STEP Fellows and, despite the tensions, have a waiting list for potential fellows. We are seeking volunteers to help spread the word about this program, help find funders, and raise funds. For more information, please contact HNRCA Professor of Nutrition Allen Taylor at allen.taylor@tufts.edu.

Call for nominations: Tufts Developing Leaders Conference 2015
This is a call for nominations for the 16th Annual Developing Leaders Conference: Balanced Leadership to be held on February 28, 2015. “Developing Leaders” are current first and second year students who have exhibited leadership potential through their involvement and contributions to the Tufts Community. Examples of leadership potential include but are not limited to:
  • Engages classmates in discussions during class;
  • Takes charge at his or her student job;
  • Leads or is capable of leading a student group/club; or
  • Contributes his or her time to the community or advances social agendas.

Our theme this year is Balanced Leadership, stemming from the book, “Well-Being: The Five Essential Elements” written by Tom Rath and Jim Harter.  The five essential elements include Career, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community Well-Being. We will explore each of the five elements while incorporating leadership activities.  Our hope is that students will be able to connect the five essential elements to different aspects of their own lives. Please forward this to any leaders or staff that may be interested in nominating students.  You can nominate students who were PreO or Orientation leaders, or students that stood out in your PreO programs or  at Orientation! To nominate students, please visit our website OCL.TUFTS.EDU. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 23, 2015.

Volunteer at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter this Winter Season
Friday, December 19 - Monday, January 26, Harvard Square Homeless Shelter 
Looking to share some holiday cheer? The shelter and our guests would love to have your help at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter! No previous experience or training required--just a willingness to lend a helping hand. Shifts are as short as 2 hours--a map of our location can be found here, and sign ups can be done here. We are always in need of extra hands over school holidays. We hope you will join us! If you have any questions, feel free to send an email to Kathleen Koenigs, Volunteer Director, at hshs.volunteer@gmail.com.
Seeds of Peace - For Committed Ambassadors of Peace and Understanding 
Seeds of Peace (SOP) works to support young Palestinians and Israelis to become leaders of peace.  Based on the belief that “treaties are negotiated by governments; peace is made by people,” SOP brings together youth, and community educators, from both sides of intractable conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia to provide an opportunity to make deep connections with ‘the other side.’ While difficult work goes into these connections, they help transform the ways participants understand their conflict and the changes needed to create a viable peace. Once participants return home, SOP continues to offer critical support as they endeavor to become leaders of change. We will need people with varied skillsets, from graphic design, event planning, marketing, fundraising, and beyond, so no matter what your background, we would love to have you on board. If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact, tufts alum, Ati Waldman (ati.waldman@gmail.com) and Sarah Blinka (sarah.blinka@gmail.com).
Tufts Hillel Innovation Grants
Apply now at bit.ly/TuftsHillelGrant! Tufts Hillel Innovation Grants empower students with resources and support to plan and execute independent Jewish programming for the Tufts community. Successful events may be small or large, religious or secular, cultural or political, one-time or ongoing. Our hope is that the Innovation Grants will contribute to the diversity of Jewish activities on campus and provide a platform for anyone with an idea to make it a reality. 
Don't worry if you're still tweaking your ideas--Program Associate Raechel Banks is available to work with you no matter what stage you find yourself in! If your application is selected for funding, you will be paired with Raechel to receive support as you move forward with your program.
For more information, contact Raechel at raechel.banks@tufts.edu or 617-627-3242.
It Happens Here
Consent Culture Network is currently beginning to plan It Happens Here, an event that we launched here last year, to amplify the traditionally silenced voices of survivors, through speaking out about its reality here at Tufts. Sexual violence is gendered and racialized, and as such we want to do targeted outreach to historically marginalized communities with high rates of victimization who also rarely are given voice to speak to their experiences. We have a quick form for those who are interested in participating to fill out-- there are varying levels of involvement, from being part of our steering committee to being an usher for the event itself. It can be found here. Please email john_m.kelly@tufts.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns! 
The application period for the Humanist Service Corps is now open - December 15, 2014
The Humanist Service Corps provides an avenue for humanists to engage in global cultural exchange while working to protect human rights and the environment. HSC partners with local organizations and individuals to encourage sustainable programs and practices in their communities. Click here to apply.
Camp Unirondack, co-sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton and by Camp Unirondack - April 1 
Have you ever wanted to relive the joys of youth camp days as an adult with your peers? Have you been wanting to connect with like-minded young adults in the Unitarian Univeraslist community? Are you finding it difficult to create a faith-based peer group experience in your community? On June 5-7 at Camp Unirondack, young adults from throughout the region will be coming together to reconnect with friends and make new ones. Join us for a lively weekend in the gorgeous woods of the western Adirondacks, where our activities will be self-selected from such shenanigans as a masquerade ball, quidditch lessons, deep discussions, music, and much more! The weekend is open to 18-30 year-olds from the UU community and like-minded people. Fee: $50 ($45 before April 1).
Contact Tracy Hollands here to help organize workshops and activities to make this weekend great! Register now here to reserve your spot! Email the director here for further registration info.
Weekly Gatherings

Baha'i: Please see our website for student leader contact information
Buddhist: Thursdays, 8:30-10 am, Goddard Chapel; Sundays, 7 pm, Rabb Room, Lincoln-Filene Center
CAFE/Interfaith: Please see our website for student leader contact information.
Catholic: Mass: Sundays, 10 pm, Goddard Chapel, Reconciliation or Contemplative Prayer: Friday, 3-5 pm, Interfaith Center, Pizza and Prayer: Every other Friday (starting 9/19), 6:30 pm, Interfaith Center
Christian Scientist: Please see our website for student leader contact information.
Freethought/Humanist: Weekly Discussion Meetings: Thursdays, 7:30 pm, Eaton Hall 202; Please see their
calendar for jam sessions, community dinners, and other events
Hindu: Tuesdays, 5-6:30 pm, Goddard Chapel 
Jewish: Conservative & Reform Shabbat Services: Fridays, 6 pm; Saturdays, 10:30 am, Granoff Family Hillel Center; Hillel Shabbat Dinner: Fridays, 7:15 pm, Granoff Family Hillel Center; Chabad Shabbat Dinner: Fridays, 6:45 pm, Rohr Chabad House; Chabad Shabbat Service: Fridays, 7:30 pm, Rohr Chabad House
Latter Day Saints: Thursdays, 8 pm, Hillside 120
Mainline/Progressive Protestant: Worship Service: Sundays, 7 pm, Goddard Chapel; Book Group: Mondays, Noon, Tower Cafe; Noonday Prayer and Lunch: Wednesdays, Noon, Interfaith Center; Spiritual Formation Small Group (Compline): Thursdays, 9:15 pm, Goddard Chapel
Muslim: Jumah Prayer: Fridays, 1:15 pm, Interfaith Center; Chaplain Facilitated Qur'an and Arabic Circles: Fridays, 2:15-3 pm, Interfaith Center
Non-denominational Protestant: Thursdays, 7:30-9 pm, Interfaith Center
Orthodox Christian: Mondays, 8 pm, Campus Center, Room 207
Seventh Day Adventist: Mondays, 7-8 pm, Campus Center, Room 012
Sikh: Please see our website for student leader contact information
Unitarian Universalist: Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 pm, Interfaith Center
For information about communities not listed, please contact the University Chaplaincy at chaplaincy@tufts.edu
About the University Chaplaincy Enews
The University Chaplaincy Enews is published weekly by the Tufts University Chaplaincy to promote programs and opportunities related to spirituality, ethics, culture, and social justice. To propose announcements for inclusion please contact chaplaincy@tufts.edu.
About Us
The Tufts University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide pastoral care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
Tufts University Chaplaincy | Goddard Chapel, 3 The Green | Medford, MA 02155 US
chaplaincy.tufts.edu | chaplaincy@tufts.edu | 617.627.3427
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