Spiritual Journey and Bowling Balls

My personal mission statement for my work at Lynchburg College is that each member of our community will have opportunity for spiritual growth while they are here. I hope that students, faculty and staff have a place for growth along whatever path of faith or non-faith that he or she chooses—whatever path that makes sense to him or her at that time. For some members of our community that is a broader statement than is comfortable for them, but I also know few faith journeys that are linear—and college is a time of exploration of spirit as well as academic pursuits.

Lynchburg College is a Christian College, affiliated since its beginning with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). That connection remains. There is a small financial tie, but I would argue that most of what makes us who we are has been shaped by Disciples ethos. Disciples are committed to self-discernment of theology and belief in community. If you are responsible for your own religious thought and study higher education becomes vital. Disciples have a higher per capita concentration of colleges and universities than any other American denomination—so even though we are a small denomination, we affiliate with 16 Colleges and Universities, from small historically black Jarvis Christian College to football powerhouse Texas Christian University. Just as Disciples are committed to diversity our institutions span quite the theological perspectives. Three US presidents – Ronald Regan, James Garfield and Lyndon Johnson – were Disciples members; and so were Janis Joplin, Hoagy Carmichael, John Dillinger, William Fulbright, and Jim Jones. Sometimes Disciples institutions were founded in the middle of corn fields to keep students out of trouble, other times in cities so that education was available to all economic groups.

Interfaith work is important to me. I believe that we become more certain of our own beliefs and more clear in our own relationship with the Divine when we are in dialogue with others. We can honor other traditions and celebrate our own and grow together. The campus is increasingly religiously and spiritually diverse, just like our communities. Interfaith work does not water down any of our traditions, but rather enriches our understanding of the divine, and we understand new facets and the understandings of different cultures. If you are interested in interfaith meditation, check out the student led SANGHA group that meets weekly for meditation on campus. Another of my favorite local organizations that lives out this commitment to work together and learn from each other is Interfaith Outreach. Both our first lady, Sheila Garren, and our Hillel Director, Andrea Roth, serve on the Board of Directors for Interfaith Outreach, so the annual fundraising Interfaith Outreach Bowl-a-thon has been a topic of conversation in our office. (If you would like to participate on an Interfaith Spiritual Life Bowl-a-thon Team, email Andrea Roth, [email protected]. She will sign you up!) Bow-a-Thon is set for Saturday, February 28 9 a.m. to 12 noon or 12 noon to 3 p.m., AMF Lynchburg Lanes.

So this week I have two challenges to end my musings. First, please make an effort to reach out and experience other traditions, learn about other traditions and learn about your own. Second, wash your hands. So many people are sick this week that you are likely to have more time for your faith journey if you use lots of soap and water.

Blessings, Stephanie