Prayer for the Semester

Posted on Posted in Stephanie

So, what to write at the beginning of the semester…

  • Should it be a pep talk? A coach-type incitement to have the best semester of your life?
  • Should it be a new year’s message about returning to campus with new focus and renewed energy?
  • Should it be an acknowledgement that most resolutions never make it to mid-January with a note of forgiveness?
  • Should it be an incantation of hope?
  • Should it offer grace for all of us who live real lives and for whom the struggle of daily life merely reveals our imperfections again and again?
  • Should it be a reminder of the pain in students’ lives or the rising rates of mental illness and anxiety in young adults?
  • Should it be a note about the new study on homelessness among college students or statistics on the food pantry use?
  • Should it be a practical reminder to update emergency contact information, just in case? (Please do this…particularly faculty and staff.)
  • Should it be a programming plug for semester events? A quote from the MLK Service where Dr. Cardwell challenged all of us to live with more intentionality?
  • Should it be a funny quote or witticism, so that I just seem cool?

Serving as a University Chaplain is an amazing journey. My formal job description is fairly broad; my real experience of it spans oceans. In reality, it is a privilege to journey with so many and to be allowed into the ups and downs of so many amazing people. Our Community has people of faith and non-faith, all flavors of Christianity, small Jewish, Hindu and Muslim Communities, and members of many other faiths. I have learned so much from so many. I celebrate that I was raised in an inclusive church which taught me the value of diversity. I learned to pursue a deep personal faith as well as a responsibility to the common good and changing my corner of the world. And while I am a Christian Clergywoman, my faith path centers me so that I can share with others. So, I decided that I should write a prayer for us as we begin this semester, because truly what is in my heart for this campus is that we can live and work together as true beloved community.

Great Light that guides our spirits, lead us towards goodness and away from the evils of selfishness and privilege. Enrich our minds through the pursuit of education and study. Let Wisdom be both our guiding principle and the inspiration that drives our compassion. May we be quick to hear and slow to speak; quick to forgive and slow to anger; quick to offer grace and slow to judge. May we be students of history and students of change; students of science and students of mystery; students of the inner life who choose to serve others. May we be quick to choose relationship and slow to accept division. May we put each gift or creativity and inspiration to good use. May the work we do this semester and the way we do it be a beacon of witness to our values and the people we are called to be. AMEN.

Blessings, Stephanie