Annual Report
The
past academic year saw a year of many old traditions and some new events
we hope will become traditions. The chapel continued to be sacred space
where people could come and experience the Divine in personal reflection
and group services. It continued to be a space that welcomed a variety
of faiths. New friendships were made and we said goodbye to friends who
had passed away. New discoveries were made in collective study of ancient
scriptures, Sister Circles, the work of Justice, poems shared, songs sung,
shared prayers, inter-religious, interfaith, inter-cultural and ecumenical
discussions, and fun fellowships.
A workshop on Gospel music – Singing the Songs of Freedom - occurred with Prof. Hubert Walters of the music department as the educator. Three famous community choirs came to UMass Boston over the course of the academic year – The Black Catholic Choir, The Follow Hymn Interfaith Choir and the Joyful Voice of Inspiration .
Beyond the chapel, there were remembrances and celebrations led by the staff for the whole community – 9/11 Memorial of Hope, 9/11 Round Table with experts from the UMass teaching community, Multicultural Harvest Festival with student leaders, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, the Annual Prayer Breakfast for Staff and Faculty, and possibly the first ever, Senior Interfaith Baccalaureate.
The staff participated in the full life of the campus as part of the
great Division of Student Affairs – University Open Houses, WOW
Celebrate Students events, Fest of Us Days, Commencement and many more.