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This is the blog of the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL) at Smith College. To learn more, visit our website.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these posts are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily shared by CRSL or by Smith College.
Category Archives: Spirituality
Understanding the Effects of Racial Trauma
by Kim Alston
Racial Trauma for Blacks is a prevalent phenomenon that cannot be disputed yet it is so commonplace that it has been normalized. Every day the U.S. global majority (an alternative term for people of color) face the damaging effects of … Continue reading
Why Now, and What Now? A Theological Reflection on the Fire of the Current Moment
Why Now, and What Now? A Theological Reflection on the Fire of the Current Moment “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” –John Lewis God gave Noah the rainbow sign ‘No more water but fire next time. – … Continue reading
People of the Mask
My son is now a project manager for a large hospital system. Two weeks ago, he took on the task of getting remote communications and monitoring programs into ICUs so nurses could monitor Covid-19 patients without having to always enter … Continue reading
Posted in Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality
Tagged campus news, community, CRSL news, Jewish, spirituality
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A Revolution of Rest: A Case For ‘Radical Renewal’
by Kim Alston
While I was brainstorming for this piece I found myself struggling to formulate something that hasn’t already been said about this moment of absolute turmoil. At first, I aimed to express something profound, original… politically galvanizing even. But quite quickly, … Continue reading
A Note About The Use of Sacred Texts
Dear Friends, On behalf of the Smith College Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, I write to condemn the recent use of a sacred text to illustrate a political point. Christian scripture in particular has been manipulated to oppress black … Continue reading
Seeking Refuge in Uncertainty: A Rite of Passage for These Times
My college graduation was very strange. I had been accepted into the Smith College School for Social Work and was scheduled to begin the summer program there on June 4. This was, however, the very same day of my undergraduate … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections, Response Statements, Social Justice, Spirituality
Tagged campus news, community, CRSL news, spirituality, Vision
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On Isolation and Consolation
As we all know, in these days of quarantine, loneliness and isolation are prevalent. Zoom is as depleting as it is efficient. Social distance may be wearing on us, our own particular responses to stress may be in full action. One … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections, Spirituality
Tagged community, spirituality, stress/relaxation
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Fear and Freedom: Hand in Hand
“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom.” ― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Here … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays, Interfaith Matters, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality
Tagged Christianity, CRSL news, Easter, Jewish, Passover, worship
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Liberation Poetry
by Kim Alston
In this midst of this COVID-19 pandemic The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life invited members of the Smith community to reflect on the concept of liberation; what does it mean, how is it embraced, what can it illuminate? Smithies … Continue reading
Times of Captivity, a Time of Liberation
For the next two issues, our newsletter will focus on the theme of liberation. Passover, the holiday which began last night, April 8, commemorates the successful exodus of the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. The COVID-19 crisis kept … Continue reading