morgan state university memorial chapel welcome and support people of all religious and spiritual...
TRANSCRIPT
We welcome and
support people of
all religious and
spiritual traditions
at Morgan State
University.
E-mail:
Facebook:
Morgan State University
Memorial Chapel
Phone:
(443) 885-5105
(443) 885-5166
Address:
1700 East Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21251
Rev. Dr. Bernard Keels Mrs. Marsha M. Price Rev. Dr. Daniel Murray
Imam Derrick Amin Rev. Neva Brown Deacon Reggie Price
Mr. Abnet Shiferaw
Deacon Wardell Barksdale
CHAPLAINS AND ASSOCIATES
Rev. Dr. Daniel Murray
Chapel Associate
(410) 718-9608
Imam Derrick Amin
Muslim Chaplain
(410) 696-8574
Rev. Neva Brown
Episcopal/Anglican Ministry
(410) 274-0557
UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL CHAPEL
ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF
Mr. Abnet Shiferaw
Intervarsity Chaplain
(410) 717-3958
Rev. D. Stewart Mott
Apostolic Ministry
(410) 353-2587
Deacon Wardell Barksdale
Roman-Catholic Chaplain
(410) 404-7133
Mrs. Marsha M. Price
Administrative Specialist
(443) 885-5166
Deacon Reggie Price
Lutheran Chaplain
(443) 791-0074
Rev. Dr. Bernard Keels
Dean, University Memorial Chapel
(443) 885-5105
The primary mission of the University Memorial Chapel is to assist students, faculty, and staff in developing an appreciation for spiritual and moral values in their lives. To facilitate this end, the University Memorial Chapel interacts with students, administration, and faculty of the University as well as leaders, organizations, and in-stitutions in the community. The mission of the Chapel is closely associated with the history of Morgan State University and its ecumenical promotion of spiritual and social values.
Chapel Mission Statement
History of The Chapel
The mission of the University Memorial Chapel is best understood against the background of its history. In 1867, a group of dedicated ministers met at Sharp Street Church to establish the Centenary Biblical Institute. The Institute grew, and in time, the curriculum was broadened. In 1890, the name was changed to Morgan College, in honor of a generous benefactor. In the 1920's the school was moved to its present site. The Morgan trustees, in 1939, decided to sell the college to the State of Maryland. The proceeds from that transaction were earmarked for the construction of a center for religious activities, the Morgan Christian Center, a parsonage, and an endowment. The buildings were erected on a plot of land adjacent to the campus, and were dedicated in 1941.
In August of 2009, the Morgan Christian Center trustees deeded the property to Morgan State University. The Center was renamed the Morgan State Univer-sity Memorial Chapel, to reflect the diverse religious landscape on campus.
In 2010, the University Memorial Chapel was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Also, the United Methodist Commission Archives and History has designated Morgan State University, and the Memorial Chapel, as a
historic site.
What does the Chapel offer the
community?
A LOT !
Provides hospitable spaces and support to
students as they connect their religious and
spiritual lives with their Morgan education
Offers pastoral care to individuals and groups
Coordinates community service projects
Educates the Morgan community on religious
diversity, holy days, and spiritual practices
Convenes groups for interreligious
engagements and dialogue
What’s in this calendar ?
A description of major holy days
The academic calendar, including major holy days
A chart about religious diversity
A primer of religious symbols
Introductions to our Chapel staff
Pictures of Chapel staff, volunteers, and events
Bahá’í Faith: The nine-pointed star is used as a symbol of spiritual completion. As the Bahá’í Faith
claims to be the fulfillment of the expectations of all prior religions, the symbol reflects that sense of fulfill-
ment and completeness.
Taoism: The Yin and Yang represents the concept of duality forming a whole, how seemingly op-
posing forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world. The two swirling shapes inside
the symbol give the impression of change—the only constant factor in the universe.
Jainism: One meaning of the raised hand is “stop and think before you act to assure that all possi-
ble violence is avoided.” This is related to the tenant “Ahimsa” in Jainism, which is a Sanskrit term meaning
to do no harm.
Christianity: The cross represents the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion. The cross was an in-
strument of torture and execution in ancient times. Jesus was sentenced to death and murdered by Roman
authorities who convicted him of high treason. For many Christians, the cross represents the sacrificial
death of Christ and is the most widely-recognized symbol of Christianity.
Unitarian Universalism: The flame and chalice has many meanings. The cup represents reli-
gious community, while the flame represents ideas including the sacrificial flame, the flame of the spirit,
and more. The flaming chalice image has changed several times over the past 65 years since it was designed
by Hans Deutch during WWII.
Sikhism: Ik Onkar (“one god”) is a combination of two characters: the numeral Ik (one) and the
first letter of the word Onkar (God). It is a symbol of the oneness of God in Sikhism and is found on all reli-
gious scriptures and places such as Gurdwaras. Ik Onkar is the first phrase in the Mul Mantra meaning
“there is only one God;”
Hinduism: Aum, also written “Om” is the most important Hindu symbol. Om is considered the
primordial sound, the first breath of creation. The Om sign also signifies God, creation, and the oneness of
all creations of God. This sacred sound is also considered the greatest of all mantras.
Judaism: The six-pointed Star of David is based on the shape of David’s shield, or, perhaps, the
symbol on his shield. This refers to King David of ancient Israel. Jews call it a Magen David, meaning
“shield of David.” Some scholars have attributed theological significance to the symbol - for example, that
the intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people - but there are multiple opinions on
its meaning.
Islam: While generally regarded as an Islamic symbol today, the crescent moon and star pre-dates
Islam by several thousand years. This symbol became affiliated with the Muslim world after it was adopted
by the Ottoman Empire. While certainly not in uniform use among Muslims, it’s often associated with Is-
lam because the lunar cycle has an important ritual and legal role in Islam’s calendar.
Shintoism: A Torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a Shinto shrine.
Torii mark the transition from the sacred (the shrine) to the profane (the normal world).
Buddhism: The Eight-Spoked Dharma Wheel or Dharmachakra represents the Buddha’s teach-
ings of the path to enlightenment. The wheel’s motion is a metaphor for the rapid spiritual change engen-
dered by the teachings of the Buddha, and the eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path set out by
the Buddha in his teachings.
Zoroastrianism: The winged symbol now associated with Zoroastrianism is known as
the “Faravahar.” Its exact meaning in history is unknown. It may have represented Ahura Mazda, the divin-
ity exalted by the prophet Zoroaster as the one God. However, Zoroastrians generally consider Ahura Mazda
to be transcendent, spiritual and without physical form, and for most of their history they did not artistical-
ly depict him.
Native American Faiths: Throughout the 500+ tribes in The Americas are myriad spiritual be-
liefs and practices. Therefore, in choosing a symbol to stand for so many, we choose the basic feather, since
feathers from various birds are used by many tribes in belief, stories, and regalia. It does not represent the
direct faith of one, but the commonalities and diversities of Native American spiritual beliefs.
Major Holy Days 2016—2017
Holy days begin at sundown the day before this date
August 14: Tish’a B’av. Jewish. A day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people
Sept 6-15: Paryushana. Jain. Eight day festival signifying human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement.
Sept 11-14 : Eid al Adha. Islam. The Festival of Sacrifice remembers Abraham’s devotion in offering his son as a sacrifice.
Oct 1-10: Navaratri. Hindu. Symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
Oct 3-4: Rosh Hashanah. Jewish. The beginning of the Jewish year and the High Holy Days.
Oct 4– 23: Sukkot. Jewish. The Feast of the Tabernacles. Harvest Festival. Meals are consumed in a temporary outdoor structure.
* Oct 12 : Yom Kippur. Jewish. The Day of Atonement. Most solemn Jewish holy day. Adults fast from food and drink.
*Oct 12: Ashura. Muslim. For Shias a commemoration of the martyrdom at Karbala of Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad.
Oct 30: Diwali. Hindu, Jain, Sikh. Festival of Lights.
Nov 1: All Saints Day. Christian. Honors all the saints known and unknown.
Dec 8: Bodhi Day. Buddhist. Celebrates the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment.
* Dec 25– Jan 1: Hanukkah. Jewish. Festival of Lights. Marks the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Dec 25: Christmas. Christian. Celebrates the birth of Jesus.
Jan 28: Chinese New Year. Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist.
Mar 1: Ash Wednesday. Christian. The beginning of Lent, the 40-day period that precedes Easter.
Mar 12: Purim. Jewish. Celebration of the story of Esther.
Mar 13: Holi. Hindu. Festival of colors. Celebrates the life of Krishna.
Mar 21: Naw Ruz (New Year). Bahá’í Faith.
Apr 2: Palm/Passion Sunday. Christian. Celebrates the joyful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Apr 10: Mahavir Jayanti. Jain. Celebrates the birth of the founder of Jainism.
* Apr 11-18: Pesach (Passover). Jewish. Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Apr 13: Maundy/Holy Thursday. Christian. Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his
disciples.
Apr 14: Good/Holy Friday. Christian. Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
Apr 14: Vaisakhi/Baisakhi. Sikh. Marks the formation of the Khalsa (religious community of Sikhs) by Guru Gobind Singh.
April 16: Easter. Christian. Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
Apr 21 : Ridvan. Bahá’í Faith. Commemorates the 12 days when the founder, Baha’u’llah, declared his mission.
Apr 24: Lailat al Miraj. Muslims. Commemorates prophet Muhammad’s Ascension into heaven.
May 1: Beltane. Wiccan. Festival of light honoring life and fertility.
May 10: Buddha Day. Buddhist. Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.
* May 27– June 25: Ramadan. Muslim. Month of fasting, one of the pillars of Islam.
* May 31-June 1: Shavuot. Jewish. Festival commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai'
June 4: Pentecost. Christian. Feast day commemorating descent of Holy Spirit on Apostles.
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25
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Novem
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2016
“S
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Dec
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Ja
nu
ary
201
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li
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rch
20
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Ap
ril
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2
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dd
ha
Da
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27
Ra
ma
da
n:
May 2
7-
Ju
ne 2
5
28
29
30
31
Ma
y 2
017
“Q
uali
ty is n
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is a
hab
it.”
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sto
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Su
n
Mo
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Tu
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We
d
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
2
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Pen
teco
st
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Ju
ne
201
7
“If
yo
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Su
n
Mo
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Tu
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We
d
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
2
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31
Ju
ly 2
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