Tag Archives: community

Why Now, and What Now? A Theological Reflection on the Fire of the Current Moment

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Matilda Cantwell
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Why Now, and What Now? A Theological Reflection on the Fire of the Current Moment “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” –John Lewis God gave Noah the rainbow sign ‘No more water but fire next time. – … Continue reading →

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People of the Mask

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser
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My son is now a project manager for a large hospital system.  Two weeks ago, he took on the task of getting remote communications and monitoring programs into ICUs  so nurses could monitor Covid-19 patients without having to always enter … Continue reading →

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A Revolution of Rest: A Case For ‘Radical Renewal’

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Kim Alston
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While I was brainstorming for this piece I found myself struggling to formulate something that hasn’t already been said about this moment of absolute turmoil. At first, I aimed to express something  profound, original… politically galvanizing even. But quite quickly, … Continue reading →

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A Note About The Use of Sacred Texts

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Matilda Cantwell
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Dear Friends, On behalf of the Smith College Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, I write to condemn the recent use of a sacred text to illustrate a political point. Christian scripture in particular has been manipulated to oppress black … Continue reading →

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Seeking Refuge in Uncertainty: A Rite of Passage for These Times

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Matilda Cantwell
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My college graduation was very strange. I had been accepted into the Smith College School for Social Work and was scheduled to begin the summer program there on June 4. This was, however, the very same day of my undergraduate … Continue reading →

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On Isolation and Consolation

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Matilda Cantwell
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As we all know, in these days of quarantine, loneliness and isolation are prevalent. Zoom is as depleting as it is efficient. Social distance may be wearing on us, our own particular responses to stress may be in full action. One … Continue reading →

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Liberation Poetry

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Kim Alston
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In this midst of this COVID-19 pandemic The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life  invited members of the Smith community to reflect on the concept of liberation; what does it mean, how is it embraced, what can it illuminate? Smithies … Continue reading →

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Times of Captivity, a Time of Liberation

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Matilda Cantwell
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For the next two issues, our newsletter will focus on the theme of liberation. Passover, the holiday which began last night, April 8, commemorates the successful exodus of the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. The COVID-19 crisis kept … Continue reading →

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Uncertainty

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser
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There is a Jewish holiday dedicated to uncertainty. Its very name, Purim, means “dice.” During the holiday, the community reads the Book of Esther, a biblical book in which God is never mentioned. In the Book of Esther, God works … Continue reading →

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Smith College Vespers Scriptural Readings, Poems, and Prayers

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Matilda Cantwell
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Smith College Christmas Vespers  December 8, 2019  WELCOME Advent is the season when the revolution of people aligns with the revolution of the earth. Advent is a time when people – all people all over the world – light candles … Continue reading →

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