Greetings from Julie Avis Rogers,
the new Director of Religious and Spiritual Life & Campus Chaplain
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Hello, Emerson College!
I am delighted to be coming onboard as your new Director of Religious and Spiritual Life & Campus Chaplain. In my short time on campus so far, I have already had the chance to meet such an incredible array of creative, kind, and inspiring individuals and it makes me so excited for the good work that lies ahead for us. I’m writing you today to share a bit more about who I am, the role that I’m fortunate to occupy, and some invitations for the semester ahead.
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Who am I?
My background is a hybrid of arts, social justice, and student spiritual life. After studying theatre and music in college, I moved to central Mexico where I helped plan and lead justice-oriented study abroad programs for college students through an organization called the Center for Global Education. While living in Mexico, I became interested in how faith and religion have shaped social movements of Latin America and eventually went to Harvard Divinity School to study liberation theology and university chaplaincy. Since graduating from Divinity School, I’ve been lucky to have a variety of positions working with college students both on-campus at Harvard University and as a progressive Protestant pastor at the nearby Church of the Covenant.
I am now delighted and honored to be serving as your Director of Religious and Spiritual Life & Campus Chaplain at Emerson, a place where this same hybrid of arts, activism, and spiritualities is so alive, vibrant, and filled with creative potential.
What does the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life & Campus Chaplain do? What can you expect?
As chaplain to the college, I am available as a supportive and confidential resource to every member this community (students, faculty, and staff). I am available for one-on-one spiritual counseling to explore matters of faith identities, spiritual practice, or truly any topic that might be weighing on you where a compassionate, confidential ear could be a useful resource.
As Director Religious and Spiritual Life, I am eager to collaborate and lead programming and events that encourage meaningful conversations about what matters to us, as well as to support each of the student religious and spiritual communities that have formed and are forming. One of my primary goals is that Emerson can be a place where individuals feel supported and encouraged in their spiritual journeys, whether that journey includes a particular faith tradition or draws inspiration from sources outside of traditional religion, such as music, film, nature, astrology, and so much else.
Some invitations for the semester ahead:
- The overnight interfaith retreat, Unwind, is BACK and will be hosted on April 13-14! All students are invited to join the Center for Spiritual Life staff on April 13-14 as we venture to Friendly Crossways, a beautiful retreat center in Harvard, MA, for 24 hours of spiritual practices, reflection, and community building. Details on how to register and more will be forthcoming on the CSL facebook page and in future newsletters.
- Join me for a “meet and greet” reception on Thursday, March 14 from 3-5 pm in the Multipurpose Room (Campus Center). Not only will this reception include great food and conversation, but we’ll also have some stations set up around the room to learn more about the offerings of the Center for Spiritual Life and opportunities for spirituality and faith at Emerson.
- I will be holding weekly drop-in hours every Tuesday from 1-3 pm in the Center for Spiritual Life (Piano Row L155). This is an opportunity to have a conversation about anything on your mind (really, ANYTHING!), to talk about faith and spirituality on campus, or share ideas/hopes for how we can best support your spiritual life.
- And save the date for a 4-week lunch series “What Matters to Me and Why”: The series will run for four Fridays from noon-1 pm from March 29- April 19.(And yes, lunch will be provided! Location TBA). During each session, members of the Emerson community can enjoy a deeper look into the journeys, motivations, and values of an invited speaker who will spend about 15-20 minutes addressing the topic “What Matters to Me and Why,” and then the floor is opened to informal dialogue for the remainder of the hour.
How can you reach me?
Feel free to drop by the Center for Spiritual Life (Piano Row L155) or email me anytime at [email protected]. We'll soon be moving over to The Commons at 172 Tremont Street and can't wait to welcome you into this beautiful new space!
Julie
PS Don't stop reading now! Today's newsletter also reminds you of our team of chaplains, our SGA Commissioner, and spiritual life organizations.
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Re-introducing our Campus Chaplains
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Kristelle Angelli
Catholic Chaplain
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Kristelle Angelli is the Catholic Campus Minister at Emerson College and advisor to the Newman Club. Catholic activities on campus include monthly Mass, retreats, spring break service trips, day trips such as apple picking, and weekly meetings.
Kristelle has worked full-time in young adult ministry since 2000. She is the Catholic Chaplain at Emerson College and Framingham State University. Kristelle holds a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, MA, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT. When she is not working, Kristelle enjoys Taekwon-do, or can be found kayaking or snowshoeing near her home in Tewksbury, MA.
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Brian Indrelie
Protestant Chaplain
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Brian has served as the Protestant Chaplain for Emerson since the fall of 2014. He comes to Emerson with a decade of experience in student development ministries, and has enjoyed putting this knowledge to work while advising the Emerson Christian Fellowship. In addition to his responsibilities at Emerson, Brian teaches full-time at a private Christian prep school where he chairs the religion department. At Emerson he has thrived on the positive, inclusive environment, and has taken great joy in helping students understand how to live their Christian faith identities confidently in the world. He welcomes students who are interested in exploring Christian faith identity to contact him to set up a time to talk over free coffee!
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Jake Freedman
Hillel Advisor
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Jake previously worked at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology as the Communications Coordinator in Admissions, and has served as the Young Artist Program Manager at Maine Media Workshops + College. He received a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Quinnipiac University where he was proud to be the president of the campus Hillel. He is extremely excited to be part of a community that combines his love of Judaism and his passion for working with students. Jake has had a lifelong interest in media. Feel free to ask him about his favorite films.
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Our SGA Spiritual Life Commissioner
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Ann Zhang
SGA Spiritual Life Commissioner
Ann is a Junior VMA-Media Studies major with two minors in Photography and Hearing and Deafness. Ann has worked as the Spiritual Life Commissioner for Student Government Association since 2017. Ann was also on the search committee for the new director for CSL. She's passionate about spiritual life and helping students on campus with their spiritual needs. If you have any questions or concerns regarding spiritual life please feel free to contact her at anytime!
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The Newman Club provides opportunities for Catholic students to develop their faith through social, educational, spiritual, and service-oriented events. Students come together for debate, prayer, and fun! The Newman Club sponsors a monthly Catholic Mass on campus as well as monthly outings to off-campus Mass.
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Emerson College Hillel is dedicated to the culture, observance, education, and well-being of Jewish life at Emerson. Hillel helps students foster a sense of Jewish identity through Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, cultural discussions, and participation in guest lecture events and off-campus activities.
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Emerson Christian Fellowship
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Emerson Christian Fellowship (ECF) is an interdenominational organization at Emerson College that helps students grow in their faith, develop a Christian community on campus, and serve both the Emerson community and the community of Boston at large. We participate in large group discussions and activities every Tuesday night, lead and participate in Bible studies on campus weekly, help connect Emersonians to churches in the Boston area, and participate in outreach activities, service projects, and collaborative events with other Emerson organizations.
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Emerson Muslim Student Association
Not yet college affiliated
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The Muslim Students' Association (MSA) provides opportunities for Muslim and Non-Muslim students to interact with one another by sharing experiences and knowledge about Islam. We hope to unveil the beauty of Islam and work towards establishing peace and unity within our communities.
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Emerson Mystic
Not yet college affiliated
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The intent of Mystic is to bring a community of Emerson students together who are all interested and/or believe in matters that fall under the category of "witchy". This includes tarot cards and readings, spells, astrology, polytheism, clairvoyance, and so much more. If you find yourself intrigued by the things unseen, you're more than welcome to stop by.
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The Kindling Zine
Not yet college affiliated
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The Kindling Zine is a multi-faith publication of student artwork relating to faith, spirituality, and worldview. Through sharing artistic representations of our many spiritual journeys, we challenge the preordained binaries in the artistic, academic and religious spheres, providing fellow students and thinkers with a safe space to explore the hybridity of arts and spirituality.
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MULTIFAITH CALENDAR FOR MARCH 2019
Ongoing through Wednesday, 3.20.2019
Tradition: Baha'i
A designated 19-day period of fasting each year immediately before the Bahá’í New Year. The fasting is seen as a period of spiritual preparation and regeneration for the new year ahead.
Monday, 3.4.2019
Tradition: Hinduism
A feast dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. The night before the feast fasting is observed, texts are recited, songs are sung, and stories told in honor of this God whose cosmic dance creates, preserves, destroys, and recreates the world.
Wednesday, 3.6.2019
Tradition: Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic
A special day of repentance observed by Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance, and self-denial preceding Easter. The name derives from the practice of marking of the faithful with ashes to signify penitence.
Friday, 3.8.2019
Tradition: Hinduism
Celebrates the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna, teacher of Swami Vivekananda.
Monday, 3.11 – Saturday, 4.27.2019
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
In Orthodox churches, the first day of Lent marks the beginning of the Great Fast, the final six weeks of a 10-week period leading up to Holy Week and Easter (Pascha). In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter.
Saturday, 3.16 – Wednesday, 3.20.2019
Tradition: Zoroastrianism
Celebrates the creation of human beings and honors the souls of the deceased.
Wednesday, 3.20.2019
Tradition: Baha'i
The seventh greatest festival, "New Day" is the first day of the Zoroastrian/Persian and Baha'i New Year. It falls on the spring equinox and symbolizes the renewal of the world after the winter. For Zoroastrians, Naw Ruz also celebrates the creation of fire that is symbolic of Asha, or righteousness. It is also the day on which Zarathustra received his revelation.
Wednesday, 3.20.2019
Tradition: Wicca/Paganism
Vernal Equinox, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark and the arrival of Spring.
Wednesday, 3.20.2019
Tradition: Judaism
Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing of costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor, and socializing. Preceded by the Fast of Esther, Purim is a day of feasting. Begins at sundown.
Thursday, 3.21.2019
Tradition: Hinduism
A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration.
Thursday, 3.21.2019
Tradition: Zoroastrianism
The seventh greatest festival, "New Day" is the first day of the Zoroastrian/Persian and Baha'i New Year. It falls on the spring equinox and symbolizes the renewal of the world after the winter. For Zoroastrians, Naw Ruz also celebrates the creation of fire that is symbolic of Asha, or righteousness. It is also the day on which Zarathustra received his revelation.
Tuesday, 3.26.2019
Tradition: Zoroastrianism
The anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith.
Sunday, 3.31.2019
Tradition: Spiritualism
On this date in 1848, the discarnate soul of Charles B. Rosna communicated via the mediumship of the Fox sisters heralding the advent of Modern Spiritualism.
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