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Illumination Ceremony on August 28, 2025
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A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
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Greetings Jumbos!
Since early August, new classes and cohorts of students have commenced their graduate and undergraduate studies at Tufts, and I've been marveling at the power of our community rituals and celebrations. Whether sporting matching T-shirts at the undergraduate Matriculation Ceremony or donning lab coats at the School of Medicine's White Coat Ceremony, whether lighting candles at Illumination, catching the sun rise on Tisch Roof, or cruising the Boston Harbor, we have been taking time to joyfully mark these moments of new beginnings. And well we should! Tufts' students (and faculty and staff) have accomplished so much and worked so hard for these opportunities to learn, to research, to grow, and to serve. And they're (we're!) doing it amidst profound upheaval in the country and our world, where democracy itself and human freedoms necessary to both survive and flourish are imperiled. This is an incredibly fraught and uncertain time. And this is why I hope Tufts' ceremonies of belonging and joy keep calling us back to the freedom of a Tufts education and to the work we are all fully free to do.
As this new academic year unfolds, I'm thinking especially of my professor and mentor, Rev. Dr. Martin E. Marty, who died this past February and whose sermon on my ordination day years ago is best summed up in these words: this is not work we have to do--this is work we get to do. Preaching about the challenging work of public ministry, Marty reminded me and all those gathered that this was not work we had to do in order to be good enough or loved enough. Instead, because of the forever free gift of grace, this hard and often taxing spiritual, intellectual, and community work was work we get to do. Certainly, Marty offered this wisdom in a particular religious context: he was deeply rooted in a Lutheran Christian expression of faith. He was also joyfully and contagiously grounded in a multireligious world. Marty was a pluralist both intellectually and spiritually, to his core. And so this freedom -- this getting -- to love and serve, to search and learn, was not solely a Christian freedom. It was and is always a human one, springing from our inviolable dignity and worth.
Problem sets, papers, and performances; coding, reading, and art assignments; civic and political action--this is not work we have to do. Properly understood, it is work we get to do, work that, by virtue of our shared humanity and shared commitment to Tufts' foundational values, we are ever-freed to do. Let this be a year we take care of one another, reverently affirm each other's belonging, and courageously embrace what we get to do, and who we get to be, in this amazing place of education, and learning, and service.
Pax et Lux,
Elyse Nelson Winger
University Chaplain
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Tufts University supports many religious and philosophical groups that reflect the wonderful diversity of our Tufts community. The religious and philosophical gatherings hosted by our chaplains and/or TCU-recognized student groups every week are open to anyone in the Tufts community. Below are the regular weekly offerings, and you can follow us on Instagram and stay subscribed to this weekly newsletter for events and special programs. You can email the University Chaplaincy with any questions about the gatherings below or if you are interested in starting a new group!
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Monday
- Midday Mindfulness with the Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha: 12:00-1:00 p.m., Interfaith Center
- Daily Flame Devotionals: 12:00-1:00p.m., Campus Center, Room 218
- C. Stacey Woods Bible Studies: 8:00-9:30p.m., Tisch Library, Room 314
- COFFEE (Community Of Faith Exploration and Engagement): Interfaith Discussion Group, 8:30-9:30p.m., Goddard Chapel
- Vespers/Paraklesis Services at Goddard Chapel: Sept 8, Sept 22, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1, and Dec 8, 6:00-7:00p.m, Goddard Chapel
Tuesday
- Drop-In Journaling at Goddard Chapel: 12:00-1:00p.m., Goddard Chapel
- Daily Flame Devotionals: 12:00-1:00p.m., Campus Center, Room 218
Wednesday
- Modern Yogi Book Club: Every other Wednesday starting on Sept 10, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Interfaith Center Lounge
- Daily Flame Devotionals: 12:00-1:00p.m., Campus Center, Room 218
- Tea & Community Care: 7:00-8:30p.m., Goddard Chapel
Thursday
- Voices For Peace and Light Choir Rehearsal: 12:10-1:10p.m., Goddard Chapel (starting on Sept 11)
- Daily Flame Devotionals: 12:00-1:00p.m., Campus Center, Room 218
Friday
Sunday
- Roman Catholic Mass: 5:00-6:00p.m., Goddard Chapel
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Before or After Sunday Liturgy
- Mindful Dialogue with the Buddhist Chaplaincy: 5:30-6:30p.m., Interfaith Center
- Protestant Evening Worship: 7:00-8:00p.m., Goddard Chapel
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BBQ Shabbat at Tufts Hillel
Friday, September 5, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Granoff Family Hillel Center
Hillel is so excited to kick off the school year with Shabbat! Join for a special BBQ Shabbat to start the school year in style. Stay for the whole night or drop in as short or long as you would like. The schedule is dinner at 5:30 p.m., services at 6:30 p.m., and Oneg with Dessert and Board Games at 7:00 p.m. Contact Hillel with any questions.
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Drop-In Journaling at Goddard Chapel
Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
Journaling can be a rich spiritual practice but in our busy days, it can be hard to find time and space to sit down with pen and paper. This drop-in space offers just that - a judgement-free zone where you can drink tea, nibble a snack, and see where the pen takes you. Weekly prompts will be provided but feel free to use this time as you see fit. For students, faculty and staff. Email Associate Director Lynn Cooper with any questions.
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Modern Yogi Book Club
Every other Wednesday beginning September 10, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Interfaith Center
This fall, all undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in the Modern Yogi Book Club, a series of lunchtime discussions hosted by Interfaith Ambassador and Hindu Student Association member Niam Lakhani. This group will provide a space to dive deep into the captivating wisdom of Vedic texts and discover how these timeless teachings relate to our lives today. Gita3: A Contemporary Guide to the Timeless Teachings of the Bhagavad-gita will be provided to all participants, and Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (which is available through Tisch Library and online) will also serve as a primary text. No experience or previous background is needed. Lunch from Guru the Caterer will be provided each session. For more information, contact Interfaith Ambassador Niam Lakhani.
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Voices for Peace and Light Choir
Rehearsals Thursdays, 12:10 p.m. - 1:10 p.m., Goddard Chapel
Voices for Peace and Light is an unauditioned choir open to all members of the Tufts community – graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and neighbors. We welcome experienced choral singers and people who are brand new to choral music. Supported by 4 strong choral scholars, we will rehearse weekly and perform a few pieces for some spring semester events. If you can talk, you can sing! You can email Music Director Suzie Cartreine with any questions.
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Counseling and Mental Health Groups - Open to Grad and Undergrad Students
Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS) offers a variety of confidential therapy groups and workshops. They are open to undergrad and grad students, and are free for all full-time students as well as for part-time students who have paid the Health and Wellness fee. You can participate in multiple groups and workshops each semester. Please take a look at the options available for this semester. By sharing your contact information, the group leader(s) for any groups you are interested in will reach out to you directly. Groups require a pre-registration meeting with the leader to discuss the group, while workshops do not. You can register for any group below, and find more information about each group here.
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Resources and Opportunities
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Building Bridges Ex-College Class with Tufts Hillel
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until September 26 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.
This is a student-led class designed for all students committed to shared learning, open to new experiences, and respectful toward diverse voices. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their own views and the views of their peers in a challenging yet tolerant and respectful environment. Building Bridges participants will engage in weekly class meetings over 8 weeks, and the class will count as 2 SHUs through the Experimental College. Please complete the brief form linked below to apply; you can email Tufts Hillel for more information.
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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.
Das Laxana Festival
Ongoing through Sat., Sep. 6, 2025
Tradition: Jainism
A 10-day festival that is considered to be a holy convocation. During these days, Jains impose some restraints on their daily activities by fasting, meditation, and prayer. The last day of Paryushana is the most solemn occasion of forgiveness and the examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word, or thought.
Mawlid an-Nabi
Thu., Sep. 4, 2025
Tradition: Islam
The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Mon., Sep. 8, 2025
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
Celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born without sin.
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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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