Spiritual Life
The Campus Chaplain is responsible for fostering and nurturing spiritual growth and wholeness during your years of living and learning at Bloomfield College. The chaplain can provide support for individuals and groups engaged in religious activities related to specific faith traditions and those exploring personal spiritual development. This includes activities, programs, and classes related to the understanding and appreciation of a variety of cultures and beliefs, the examination of personal values, and the pursuit of justice and contribution to the common good.
To help enrich your college experience the Campus Chaplain can:
- Provide leadership, support and direction for student organizations based in a number of different faith traditions and serve as advisor to groups focused more generally on the pursuit of spiritual development
- Counsel individuals and groups on issues related to faith and spirituality. Supervise events related to religious traditions and spiritual life.
- Plan and present programs with speakers, performers, and other activities designed to educate the campus about different religious and spiritual practices and celebrate a variety of traditions.
- Work toward strengthening and maintaining the relationship between the College and the PC(USA) and other religious groups.
- Organize and sponsor student trips to conferences, events, and volunteer mission work.
Opportunities for spiritual and personal development:
- Spiritual Direction with the College Chaplain - The chaplain is available to listen, as well as for one-on-one or group counseling sessions for those students, faculty, and staff who wish to explore the questions of faith and spirituality, and how it shapes our lives.
- Interfaith Gatherings - Throughout the semester we will schedule different events to facilitate interfaith discussions with invited guests, which will include a rabbi, priest, minister, imam, as well as other religious leaders to promote peace and understanding among various religions.
- Mission Trips - Interested in serving others around the world? The Chaplain’s office organizes mission trips to such places as Haiti and other places opening up the opportunity to work in medical clinics, orphanages, and schools. Students will have opportunities to experience mission trips on local, national and international levels.
- Weekly Worship – This is an opportunity for students to express themselves in an ecumenical worship service that encompasses a variety of worship styles.
Opportunities to engage issues of faith in contemporary culture:
- Annual MLK Lecture - The MLK Lecture examines Martin Luther King's philosophy, ideas etc. from an interfaith perspective. While it is known that MLK was a Christian minister it is not known that he was heavily influenced by the theology of different faiths.
- Religion and Culture Series - Examining the role that culture plays in the formation of religion and how religion shapes cultural ideas, including but not limited music, literature, and all forms of art.
- Writing Your Own Story Series – This is a series of seminars that focus on various aspects of getting to know oneself, understanding the nuances of adjusting to a new surrounding with people who are from places that may differ from yours, and identifying the student’s passions and motivation so that (s)he can write his/her own story.
Contact The Chaplain's Campus Office:
Rev. Anita Wright
Director, Office of Spiritual Life
Student Center (Talbott Hall), 2nd floor
Phone: 973-748-9000 ext. 1393
Email: Anita_Wright@bloomfield.edu