Whether religious or not, many students have walked by the interfaith chaplaincy office on the Portland campus. In case any were wondering what goes on inside the little white building, it’s more than just a campus church.
The chaplaincy aims at “supporting religious and spiritual life in all of its expressions” and continues to do so through the education of beliefs, values and ethics.
The office supports a variety of religions and faiths and student, including the Baha’i, Christian, Jewish, Intervarsity (evangelical Christian), Muslim and Pagan associations, clubs and fellowships.
For those looking for a place to reflect, students and faculty members can visit “A Space Apart,” a room located in the interfaith office on the Portland campus, next to Payson-Smith. The chaplains encourage anyone to visit, meditate or pray there.
The chaplains – recognized leaders for each represented group or faith — meet monthly to plan events, which include “fish bowl” topics that model how to engage in dialogue with others who may not share your beliefs.
This semester, the team of associate chaplains has created a series of programs designed to discuss topics such as sex and sexuality, money and the environment.
Reverend Andrea Thompson-McCall is the USM interfaith chaplain, also serving as director of the office of community service and civic engagement. Shirley Bowen, an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church who serves as the missioner/Episcopal chaplain appointed by the Diocese of Maine, describes Thompson-McCall and her job as “helping to support students in their spiritual lives on campus.”
Bowen says that there are three duties of chaplains at USM: “serving our own faith and students, collaborating as an interfaith team in a larger context and producing educational programming to engage people.”
On the number of students involved, Bowen says there are “easily hundreds of students who are exposed to the work at the inter-faith office.” There has been a recent increase in student involvement over the past few years, to which Bowen credits McCall in “creating a balance of chaplains.”
The interfaith chaplains work outside of the office as well, and help out in other aspects of USM. They are often invited by departments to collaborate on projects, as with RA training and the One Campaign, which helps to end global poverty. They are a belief-in-action community.
Bowen summarizes the goals of the office as “rediscovering and exploring what it is you believe in, integrating beliefs and how students live their lives, as well as helping students be able to be in a respectable relationship in faiths that are not your own.”
Sayings such as “love thy neighbor” have to be consistent with how you live your life, according to Bowen.
A poster in the office says “and who does not want to be treated with love?” It’s a question that’s easier to answer than most would think.
The chaplaincy is a place for students who are trying to find meaning in their lives and “just need help with the journey.” From the open space in the office to the calm aura the office provides, everyone who enters is welcome and treated with respect.
The services offered there are more than just traditional ones, such as noon-day prayer service, meditation, chanting, as well as incorporating music.
Bowen understands that not all people are religious, but realizes “even if you don’t believe in it, it’s nice to have biblical references.”
For more information on how to get involved, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.usm.maine.edu/studentlife/interfaith.
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Interfaith student groups
Student-initiated and student-run organizations offering opportunities to gather around common religious or spiritual interests for support, personal growth, celebration, and belonging, these groups make important contributions to the quality of campus community life. Contact them directly to get involved.
Baha’i Campus Association
Bob Atkinson, Baha’i Chaplain – 780-5078 or [email protected].
Catholic Newman Club
[email protected] or [email protected]
Hillel (Jewish student organization)
Fae Silverman, Hillel Advisor – 772-1562 or [email protected]
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Nathanael Hasbrouck, [email protected]
Muslim Students Association
Navigators Christian Fellowship
Michael Whitney, Navigators Director
Pagan Students Association
If no organization of your religious or spiritual tradition exists, you can gather a group and start one. Consult the Chaplains’ office at 228-8093 or the Center for Student Activities & Involvement at 780-4090.
-Courtesy of the interfaith chaplain’s office