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Finding Your Way Home
By: Rev. Dr. Lisa D. Rhodes, Dean of the Chapel
Homecoming evokes images of reunion,
parades, pageants, friendships, fun, and football.
It is also a time to welcome alumnae back home.
But what does home really mean? When asked this
question, Taylor Buck, C’2014 said, “Home is my
true self.”
Living for other people is often the case when
one is growing up and coming of age. So many
college students live life trying to discern who they
really are because they have lived so many years
trying to be somebody else. There are pressures
and expectations from various people who want
you to become someone that you are not.
Home is being comfortable in your own personal
space. It is feeling safe, secure, and at peace with
who you are in any given moment, and also who
you are becoming is an ongoing process. Home is
your true self, your authentic self, your God-given
birthright to be you and to hear —the “sound of the
genuine” that is uniquely your inner voice.
Home makes you smile and the smile comes
from a deep place of joy because you know you are
loved and accepted for who you are, not who others
want you to be-the love and acceptance you feel
are unconditional. If you do not feel comfortable in
your own house, you are not at home...Find your
way home.
Poet May Sarton writes,
“Now I Become myself.
It’s taken time, many years and places.
I have been dissolved and shaken,
Worn other people’s faces...”
“Who am I, and where do I belong?” These
questions of identity are deeply personal but
necessary. Along life’s journey, you may wear many
faces, trying to see which face fits, and perhaps
unknowingly, you may begin to mask your identity,
silence your voice, and shy away from your true
self.
As a major part of the WISDOM (Women
in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry) Center’s
Residential Scholars Program, a small community
of students create a safe space and a strong
sisterhood in the Bessie Strong Hall. These students
are encouraged through assigned readings to
reflect on questions of identity with a vision toward
discovering and rediscovering their authentic self
and are encouraged to step into their vocation.
In an essay they read entitled, Now I Become
Myself, the WISDOM residential scholars engaged
Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak: Listening to
the Voice of Vocation, with honesty. In our reflection
meeting, they shared the realities of personal and
vocational struggle for authentic selfhood and
purpose.
During Homecoming season, make wise
choices that will move you closer to the core and
center of your authentic self and in this movement
listen for the “sound of the genuine,” for this will be
God calling you to find your way home.
Upcoming Sisters Chapel/WISDOM
Center Events
Homecoming Worship Services: 11:00AM
Sunday, October 20,
Reverend Tiffany Thomas, C’2008
Sunday October 27,
Reverend Shareka Newton, C’2003
Praise Fest Concert 2013
Friday, November 8
7:00 PM
Sisters Chapel
Sisters Chapel Spiritual and
Leadership Development Series
October 29, 2013
Dr. Marilyn Davis
November 12, 2013
Reverend Natasha Reid Rice, Esq.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
February 4, 2014
Dr. Rosetta Ross
Free-Thinking Francis:
A Review on the Current Pope
By: Karys Belger C2016
The College of Cardinals has a saying when it
comes time to elect a new leader of the Catholic
Church: “After a fat pope, a lean pope.” This means
that the pope elect is often gravely different from
the one previous. Since his election as leader of the
Catholic faith in March, it was clear Pope Francis
was drastically different from his predecessor. He
is the first pontiff to take the name Francis, the first
to come from the Americas, and the first Jesuit.
Even more unusual are the Holy Father’s opinions—
unusual in the sense that they stray from traditional
Catholic teachings.
Pope Francis has expressed liberal views on a
number of controversial topics from homosexuality
and money laundering within the Vatican to the
position of women in the church and the need for
a more youthful religious viewpoint. His Holiness
has been quoted saying that although he believes
homosexual acts are indeed sinful, homosexuality
itself is not. With regard to celibacy in the
priesthood, Francis said in the book On Heaven
and Earth that, “Celibacy is a matter of discipline,
not faith. It can change.” His outlook represents
a vividly open-minded opinion in a historically
conservative faith.
With regard to women in the church, the pope
believes that females should have more authority,
but he still doesn’t believe they should be ordained.
His thoughts on unwed mothers are also forward
thinking. In the past, priests have refused to
baptize infants born to unwed mothers. The pope
recognizes that these women have made a mistake
but their children should not be penalized. Francis
believes these mothers have done the right thing
by giving their children life, despite the lack of
paternal support.
The Pope has expressed his desire to be
more attainable and to create a church that is
less Vatican-centric and more directed toward
the people, particularly the poor. Much like the
saint that he took his name from, Pope Francis is
very much concerned with the well-being of the
impoverished. He has stressed the rejection of
“material worldliness” in favor of taking the money
that would be spent on ornamentation and using it
to better the lives of the disadvantaged citizens of
the world. Yes, it’s quite clear that the new Bishop
of Rome is proving to be a “lean pope” indeed.
Spiritual Vitamin
By: Alaja Phillips C’2015
It is no secret that new transitions and
adjustments are imperative in your life. College life
is intricate and it is easy to get overwhelmed. In
times of confusion and frustration, remind yourself
that all obstacles make you stronger and wiser. The
view you have on a situation can change everything
about it.
Be mindful of the expectations you set. Ask
yourself if your expectations are realistic and
achievable. If you are wondering why it is taking
so long to finish a project or end a situation,
consider that it may be because the outcome you
are expecting is unrealistic. Assess the possible
outcomes for a situation. You may have a hard time
making a final decision, but it is better to assess
every possible outcome than to let doubt put a hold
on progress--take out time to address doubt. This
will reveal the most beneficial path for you to take.
Do not mull over choices you have made in the
past. Instead, ask yourself, “how will I do better
next time?” It is counterproductive to focus on
things that have already passed. Of course it is
fine to reflect on the past to determine what went
wrong for future reference, but try not to dwell on
these memories for too long because after all they
are just memories.
No matter what the task is, continue to operate
efficiently. Look at every opportunity as a chance for
self growth and discovery. Always remember, you
are toning yourself for something much greater.
The Great Debate:
Homecoming vs. Religion
By: Jasmine M. Ellis c’2015
Homecoming is the time of the year when
people have to make a lot of decisions. There’s
which parties to attend, when to study and when to
socialize, and the sometimes taboo issue of what
to drink. Homecoming is definitely popular among
the masses, but not all students participate in the
festivities in the same way.
Senior biology major at Boston University,
Yasmin Othman, will be attending the first
homecoming of her college experience in the
Atlanta University Center. Othman spent time
at Spelman in the Spring of 2013 as a Domestic
Exchange student. Othman’s Islamic beliefs will
shape her homecoming experience.
“It’s my first time attending a homecoming
because my university does not have one,” Othman
said. “But I know it’s kind of a tacit rule that
everyone will heavily drink during homecoming
week, and that is something I won’t be participating
in due to my religious beliefs.
“Because I’ve been raised my entire life on
many Islamic beliefs, it has become my personal
code of conduct, so when I decide not to drink its
less of ‘I won’t do this because my religion forbids
me’ and more of ‘I won’t do this because I don’t
think its something I personally need.’”
It is tempting to follow the crowd. During
homecoming, a lot of students want to be where
the excitement is. For some students, like Ruth
Evans C’2015, religion reminds her to refrain from
activities that are not conducive to her spiritual
health.
“Being a believer in Jesus Christ influences
my decisions during homecoming by guiding me
to know what to participate in and what not to,”
Evans said.
“Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming
back alumni of your school, which means [there
are] parades, tailgates, rallies, picnics, homecoming
dances, and competitions. For example, if the AUC
invites an artist that has the same mindset of 2
Chainz, that degrades our beautiful, intelligent,
amazing African-American sisters, the Holy Spirit
within me would automatically deny participating
in that.”
However, when you don’t participate in social
norms, which in college often includes drinking,
many question that. Othman has been at the
receiving end of comments and questions about
why she does not participate in certain social
activities.
“It can be difficult at times due to the fact
that not many people understand why I don’t do
many things, among them drinking,” Othman
said. “Usually when I turn down a drink the
whole situation become this awkward game of 21
questions starting with ‘Wait....you don’t drink?!
Why not? Is it a religious thing?”’
In American college culture, drinking is
prevalent in the social scene. However, not all
Americans indulge in alcoholic beverages. Othman
elaborates on her thoughts towards society’s
inclusiveness towards drinking.
“I feel like society has time and time again
equated having fun to drinking,” Othman said. After
21 years I can confidently say that I don’t need
alcohol to have a fun time. But it’s also important
to note that if you do have more fun drinking, then
that’s completely fine, too.”
Boundaries are an important aspect of
homecoming for both returning and newly admitted
students. Evans shares advice for students who
are struggling to maintain their religious beliefs
during homecoming
“Know your purpose of being at homecoming.
If you do not feel right going to one of the activities
then do not let anyone peer pressure you into it.
We know our boundaries, we know what is right,
so don’t dwell in the foolishness,” Evans said.
Religious Stereotypes
By: Margan-Taylor Webber C’2014
Religious stereotypes exist for every religious
sect. When people are ignorant to different belief
systems, religious misconceptions form. With any
group of individuals that conform to a certain set of
beliefs may often have preconceived notions about
another belief system.
For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses are those
who worship Jehovah as the creator of all things.
One misconception is Jehovah’s witnesses
being seen as unpatriotic, because they refuse
to salute or pledge to the American flag. Another
misunderstanding is that Jehovah’s Witnesses
think everyone but the members of their religion
are going to hell. Jehovah’s Witnesses are
also widely known for approaching people with
evangelical publications used to convert others to
their religion.
As these stereotypes may actually be consistent
with the actions of many Jehovah’s Witnesses,
there are reasons behind their actions.
It is true that Jehovah’s Witnesses are persistent
when trying to inform others of their religion, but
their reasoning behind this is fundamental to their
belief system. To Jehovah’s Witnesses, preaching
the word is deemed a form of humanitarian effort
and it gives non-believers some form of hope for
their future.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that their
allegiance only belongs to God’s Kingdom.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not involved in politics,
government, or patriotism, because they believe
that Jesus’ kingdom is not part of the world,
therefore no worldly organization should be
entertained.
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses consider
themselves Christians, they reject the Christian
doctrine of eternal damnation to hell. Instead,
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that after death
human spirits are inactive and neither go to heaven
nor hell.
Ignorance coupled with preconceived notions
will leave many clueless as to why followers of a
particular religion behave the way they do. Instead
of forming or immediately believing the stereotypes
associated with certain religions, seek knowledge
of their belief system to be able to distinguish
between fact and myth.
Religion & Social Trends
Did You Know....
1. In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian
2. Seven in 10 Americans Are Very or Moderately Religious
3. Mississippi Is Most Religious U.S. State
4. Americans Say More Religion in U.S. Would Be Positive
5. Most Religious U.S. Cities Are in the South and Utah
6. Rhode Island Most Catholic State, Arkansas Least
7. U.S. Catholic Hispanic Population Less Religious, Shrinking
8. In U.S., Rise in People with No Religious Preference
Slows in 2012
9. In U.S., 46% Hold Creationist View of Human Origins
10. In U.S., Churchgoers Boast Better Mood, Especially
on Sundays
11. In U.S., Very Religious Have Higher Wellbeing Across
All Faiths
12. Americans, Including Catholics, Say Birth Control Is
Morally OK
by Gallup October 18,2013