Category Archives: Newsletter Articles

Reflections on Peace

Peace Now: Not the Absence of Tension but the Presence of Justice; Not the Presence of War but the Absence of Weapons By Reverend Matilda Cantwell, CRSL Director and College Chaplain When I was seventeen, I had a purple T-shirt; … Continue reading

Posted in Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Introducing the Reflect, Resist, Rejuvenate Lounge

REFLECT RESIST REJUVENATE LOUNGE We are proud to announce the official “opening” or coming on-line of our Reflect, Resist, Rejuvenate lounge. This room was re-purposed just prior to the pandemic from a reading room to a reading room plus, with … Continue reading

Posted in Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles, Social Justice, Spirituality, Student Orgs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is Mindfulness Anyway?

Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzz word these days, alongside concepts like “self-care.” So what is mindfulness anyways? Mindfulness is another way of talking about being present. To be present is to drop into current time and the … Continue reading

Posted in Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Invocation for Generating Justice and Joy Nov. 30, 2021

We are grateful that our earth has the capacity to take care of all living creatures. We affirm the importance of the humanity of all people. We are gathered to reconfirm our commitment to the seeking of this great concept … Continue reading

Posted in Newsletter Articles, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2021-2022: The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Explores Transformative and Disability Justice as Spiritual Practices

This year as Smith focuses on “Democracies,”  we are painfully aware that social injustices were woven into the fabric of our society at its founding. We also find ourselves at a point at which the very structure of democracy in … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Planting of Critical Hope: The Practice of Grief and the Blooming of Justice

Dear Friends, Critical hope is defined by Scholar Paulo Freire as a way of addressing injustice through meaningful dialogue—we are not hopeful because we wait for the future, because we create it. Critical thinking is the process by which we interrogate and dismantle. Critical hope is the … Continue reading

Posted in Newsletter Articles, Programs & Events, Reflections, Response Statements, Social Justice, Spirituality, Student Orgs | Leave a comment

Racial Justice in Islam Series Connects Leaders to Students

The Racial Justice in Islam: Opening Our Hearts series was created as a space for students to learn about Islam’s approach towards justice, its historical foundation, and modern-day implications. Through asynchronous dialogue with noted Islamic leaders students were encouraged to … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Reflection on Cromwell Day

I’m reading a book that I find interesting on the subject of race. It’s called Racecraft: The Soul of Inequality in American Life, written by scholar educators Karen E. Fields and Barbara J. Fields. As the title suggests race or … Continue reading

Posted in Newsletter Articles, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Reflection

The Place Where We Are Right by Yehuda Amichai From the place where we are right Flowers will never grow In the spring. The place where we are right Is hard and trampled Like a yard. But doubts and loves … Continue reading

Posted in Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Memory and History

Memory and Historiography–the writing of history–are two forces that stand in opposition for the heart and soul of a people.  Of the two, memory has much more power than history.  I learned this from a small book I read in … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment