Author Archives: Emmett Wald

In Memoriam:
The Inauguration of Jill Ker Conway

Jill Ker Conway, the seventh president of Smith College, died a few weeks ago on 1 June 2018. She has been fondly remembered by many others, and I will not attempt to offer an additional obituary or recollection of her … Continue reading

Posted in History, Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bodman Lounge Tea Bar up and running!

Students who visit Helen Hills Hills Chapel often may have noticed some changes to the Bodman Lounge in the past year: books moving around, a new houseplant, the piano left to make way for more seating, mugs and glasses migrating … Continue reading

Posted in Programs & Events | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Nurturing Students with Secular Spiritual Programming

Here at the Center for Religious & Spiritual Life, we think it’s important to offer programming for students who are atheist or nonreligious. That may sound counterintuitive, but in fact it’s a vital part of what we do. When asked … Continue reading

Posted in Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles, Programs & Events | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Welcome Across Faiths

What does it mean to really welcome somebody? Not just to say, “you are welcome here,” but to truly make a space feel welcoming and inviting to someone? We’ve chosen “welcome” as our theme at CRSL for the year, and … Continue reading

Posted in Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vigil for Natural Disasters and Climate Change

On Tuesday, September 26, students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered on Chapin Lawn to stand in solidarity with those affected by recent natural disasters in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominica, Texas, Florida, and many other places. We also wanted … Continue reading

Posted in Programs & Events, Response Statements, Student Posts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Glowing Influence of the Spring Equinox

The spring equinox, which fell on March 20 this year, is considered the first day of spring, and is recognized as a holiday across many religions and cultures. The spring and fall equinoxes mark important moments in our orbit of … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sanctuary” at the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

  The meaning of “sanctuary” has evolved significantly over the approximately seven centuries since the word was first coined. The English word comes from the Latin “sanctuarium,” which in turn is derived from “sanctus,” an adjective meaning “holy.” In its … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles | Tagged | 1 Comment