Nazareth Christian Fellowship
Offerings for the week of April 1
Chaplain chat at 2pm and Bible Study today at 3pm!
I struggle to figure out exactly what I want to say today. As we look at another month of social distancing as a nation and as we as a campus community deal with the recent events regarding a video showing a Nazareth student in blackface along with tweets that include racist and hateful language...my heart is heavy today.
The incident regarding a Nazareth student is illustrative of the fact that while we might take steps toward justice, there are still those parts of our society--and if we are honest--parts of ourselves that harbor racism, hate, prejudice, and any other -ism that seeks to "other" those who are not like us. I come back to that Mother Teresa quote that I love so much:
"If we say we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
And I truly believe that the issues facing our world right now are reminding us of our common humanity, that no matter who we are, where we live, or what we believe, that COVID-19 is impacting us all. The global pandemic is also showing us something else too. It shines light on the inequities that have always been present as we look at who has access to different forms of medical care, whose jobs are most vulnerable, who is able to access the basic necessities for life, who has the luxury of not working while we wait for the world to heal, what nations have the resources both medical and financial to provide some kind of support their constituents, and the ways in which race, ethnicity, social class, and other identities are directly linked to the access of those resources. This is not forgetting the increase in hate crimes against Asian identifying persons in our country and in other countries. The work is not done, nor, I suspect, will be until the kingdom of God comes among us.
So as we look at how the sin of racism and othering plays itself out on a global and now very local scale, I think about Paul's words in Romans 8, how the whole world is groaning in anticipation of its redemption. The world is groaning. How true that is.
We each have a responsibility in these difficult days. We have a responsibility to one another: that we continue to adhere to social distancing, that we take and use only what we need so that others might also have access to necessary food, goods, and services, that we remember those who are most vulnerable not just because of COVID-19, but because sinful institutions have perpetuated oppression against them. And we at Nazareth College specifically have a responsibility to one another. We can say over and over again how the actions of the one don't represent the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions of the many. It's true on one level that they do not. But we must also be willing to recognize that which we don't want to see within ourselves. It takes self-work, honesty, and prayer. And if we as individuals don't choose to do that work, to be as honest as we need to, to hold our world and each other in prayer...then we will continue to listen to the groaning and pain of a world waiting to be made new.
Friends, as we approach Palm Sunday, a day of great celebration in the Christian church, but also a day of foreboding as we await the events of Holy Week, may we proceed with hope for a world that can be healed of the sins of racism, but equally aware of our part in it.
As always, if you would like to talk to someone about what is going on, please don't hesitate to contact me. I am here to listen, to pray, to process with you. These days are difficult ones, and there are going to be moments when we aren't okay. And that's okay. Remember that support is there.
With love from greater than 6 feet away,
Nadia
NCF Sunday worship 4/5 @ 5 pm--PALM SUNDAY
Join Zoom Meeting https://naz.zoom.us/j/4928777096
Chaplain Chat with Nadia @ 2pm
https://naz.zoom.us/j/4928777096
Bible Study continues via zoom TODAY at 3pm!
Join Zoom Meeting https://naz.zoom.us/j/4928777096
We will be looking at texts that speak to worry, uncertainty, and transitions.
upcoming online retreats!
Retreats are great opportunities to find grounding in times of business and uncertainty. These retreat offerings will utilize one-on-one and group Zoom meetings along with short readings to address particular needs. All are welcome to participate in these offerings. No particular religious or spiritual affiliation is necessary. To sign up, please email the facilitator indicated under each description. It is our hope that these retreat offerings help you find grounding and perspective during these challenging days.
Senior Retreat 2020: May 7, 1-3 pm
During times of transitions, it is helpful to take time to think about how you have grown in a greater awareness of yourself and others. This retreat will allow you to reflect on your personal highlights, lessons, and memories of Nazareth. The annual Senior Week Retreat is a time to look back on your years at Nazareth and look ahead with confidence and joy! Facilitated by Nadia Mullin, nmullin7@naz.edu and Jamie Fazio, jfazio1@naz.edu
Enneagram Retreat: Lessons for Inner Strength in Times of Uncertainty: April 19, 1-4 pm
The Enneagram is a tool of objective self-observation and personal growth. This retreat will utilize insights of the Enneagram to help navigate your concerns and fears during this time of change and uncertainty. Previous knowledge of the Enneagram is not required. Facilitated by Nadia Mullin, nmullin7@naz.edu and Jamie Fazio, jfazio1@naz.edu
Social Distancing: An Opportunity to Discover My True Self - TBD
This retreat will utilize the spiritual writings of Thomas Merton to help you gain insight into how to live more simply in an anxious world. Merton (who Nazareth has a room dedicated to in the Library) was a twentieth-century spiritual writer, mystic, poet and monk committed to civil rights, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. Discover how you are being invited to live lives of joy rooted in a greater understanding of your True Self during this time of uncertainty. Facilitated by Jamie Fazio, jfazio1@naz.edu
Wholehearted Living Through Fear and Uncertainty - 4/26 1-3 pm
Brene Brown is a world-renowned researcher on shame and vulnerability. In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, she writes about how the acknowledgement of our imperfections and vulnerability allow us to live a more wholehearted life. Join us as we take a look at the 10 guideposts for wholehearted living and have a conversation about how life in the time of COVID-19 is challenging our sense of self, purpose, values, and goals moving forward. Facilitated by Nadia Mullin, nmullin7@naz.edu.
The Condor and the Eagle Retreat: Spiritual journey of Global South and Global North coming together to serve the earth: TBD
The spiritual knowledge of the indigenous peoples of the world brings us into deep dialogue about what does it mean to be human, what is our purpose, about the world, the future and how to we create openings for different forms of future that are not here yet but whose becoming is in our hearts to engender. This retreat invites all students who want to be part of the task of transforming ourselves, our communities, our relations, our world because they believe that a better world is possible and necessary. Facilitated by Dr. Roncero eroncer5@naz.edu
Nazareth Christian Fellowship
Email: nmullin7@naz.edu
Website: www.naz.edu/spirituality
Location: Our Address
Phone: 585-389-2306
Facebook: facebook.com/nazchristianfellowship