MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL CHAPEL

2016-2017 Interfaith Calendar

We welcome and support people of all religious and spiritual traditions at Morgan State University.

E-mail:

[email protected] Facebook:

Morgan State University Memorial Chapel Phone:

(443) 885-5105 (443) 885-5166 Address:

1700 East Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD 21251

Chapel highlighted in orange

Rev. Dr. Bernard Keels

Mrs. Marsha M. Price

Imam Derrick Amin

Rev. Neva Brown

Deacon Wardell Barksdale

Rev. Dr. Daniel Murray

Deacon Reggie Price

Mr. Abnet Shiferaw

UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL CHAPEL ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF Rev. Dr. Bernard Keels

Mrs. Marsha M. Price

Dean, University Memorial Chapel

Administrative Specialist

(443) 885-5105

(443) 885-5166

[email protected]

[email protected]

CHAPLAINS AND ASSOCIATES Rev. Dr. Daniel Murray

Mr. Abnet Shiferaw

Chapel Associate

Intervarsity Chaplain

(410) 718-9608

(410) 717-3958

[email protected]

[email protected]

Imam Derrick Amin

Rev. D. Stewart Mott

Muslim Chaplain

Apostolic Ministry

(410) 696-8574

(410) 353-2587

[email protected] Deacon Wardell Barksdale Rev. Neva Brown

Roman-Catholic Chaplain

Episcopal/Anglican Ministry

(410) 404-7133

(410) 274-0557 [email protected] Deacon Reggie Price Lutheran Chaplain (443) 791-0074 [email protected]

Chapel Mission Statement 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 institutions 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.

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 University 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 fulfillment and completeness.

Taoism: The Yin and Yang represents the concept of duality forming a whole, how seemingly opposing 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 possible 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 instrument 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 religious 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 religious 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 Islam 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 teachings of the path to enlightenment. The wheel’s motion is a metaphor for the rapid spiritual change engendered 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 divinity 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 artistically depict him.

Native American Faiths: Throughout the 500+ tribes in The Americas are myriad spiritual beliefs 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.

15

14

29

28

.

22

21

Tish’a B’av

8

1

7

Sun

Mon

30

23

16

9

2

Tue

31

24

17

10

3

Wed

26

19

12

5

Fri

27

20

13

6

Sat

today.” -Malcolm X

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it

25

18

11

4

Thu

August 2016

Mon

Tue

Wed

12

11

19

26

18

25

Sept. 11-14

Eid al Adha:

5

4

27

20

Sept. 6-15

Paryushana:

13

6

- Mark Twain

28

21

14

7

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

Sun

29

22

15

8

1

Thu

30

23

16

9

2

Fri

September 2016

24

17

10

3

Sat

Mon

10

17

24

31

16

23

30 Diwali:

Oct. 3-4

Tue

26

19

Yom Kippur and Ashura:

12

5

Wed

27

20

13

6

Thu

28

21

14

7

Fri

29

22

15

8

Oct. 1-10

1 Navaratri:

Sat

succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison

greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to

Oct. 11-23

Sukot:

“Our

25

18

11

3Rosh Hashanah: 4

9

2

Sun

October 2016

7

14

21

28

6

13

20

27

Sun

Mon

All Saints Day

29

22

15

8

1

Tue

30

23

16

9

2

Wed

25

18

11

4

Fri

26

19

12

5

Sat

-Arthur Ashe

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

Thanksgiving

24

17

10

3

Thu

November 2016

Mon

Tue

Wed

27

26

25

Dec. 25-Jan. 1

Hanukkah:

Christmas Day

20

19

18

13

12

11

6

5

4

- Eleanor Roosevelt

28

21

14

7

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Sun

Bodhi Day

29

22

15

8

1

Thu

30

23

16

9

2

December 2016 Fri

31

24

17

10

3

Sat

and

Hanukkah

9

16

23

30

15

22

29

2

8

New Year’s Day

1

Sun

Mon

Mar-

11

18

25

10

17

24

31

4

3

Tue

26

19

12

5

Thu

27

20

13

6

Fri

28

21

14

7

Sat

-Dalai Lama

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Wed

January 2017

6

13

20

27

5

12

19

26

Sun

Mon

28

21

14

7

Tue

23

16

9

2

Thu

24

17

10

3

Fri

25

18

11

4

Sat

capable of living.” -Nelson Mandela

in settling for a life that is less than the one you are

“There is no passion to be found playing small—

22

15

8

1

Wed

February 2017

Mon

Tue

20

27

19

26

13

12

Purism

6

5

Holi

28

21

14

7

-William James

Naw Ruz

difference. It does.”

“Act as if what you do makes a

Sun

29

22

15

8

Ash Wednesday

1

Wed

30

23

16

9

2

Thu

March 2017

31

24

17

10

3

Fri

25

18

11

4

Sat

22

15

8

1

Sat

25

26

- Lao Tzu

27

28

29

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

21

14

7

Fri

30

20

13

6

Thu

24

19

12

5

Wed

23

18

11

4

Tue

17

Mahavir Jayanti

10

3

Mon

16

9

Palm Sunday

2

Sun

April 2017

8

15

22

29

14

21

28

1

7

Sun

Beltane

Mon

30

23

16

9

2

Tue

31

24

17

Buddha Day

10

3

Wed

26

19

12

5

Fri

May 27- June 25

Ramadan:

27

20

13

6

Sat

-Aristotle

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”

25

18

11

4

Thu

May 2017

12

19

26

18

25

Pentecost

5

11

4

Mon

Tue

Wed

27

20

13

6

Maya Angelou

28

21

14

7

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.” -

Sun

29

22

15

8

1

Thu

June 2017

30

23

16

9

2

Fri

24

17

10

3

Sat

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

3

10

17

24

31

2

9

16

23

30

25

18

11

4

26

19

12

5

- Maria Robinson

27

20

13

6

28

21

14

7

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but any0ne can start today and make a new ending.”

Sun

July 2017

29

22

15

8

1

Sat

Don’t pray in desperation, live in expectation. Expect the great!

Morgan State University Memorial Chapel 1700 East Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD 21251 (443) 885–5105