Religious and Spiritual Life

The memorial footbridge provides a spot for contemplation. (Photo by Sam Brooks '12)

Wilson Chapel is a place for quiet contemplation, religious and spiritual observance, and gathering in community. (Photo by Sam Brooks '12)

The gazebo on Haupt Pond is a quiet place to relax. (Photo by Sam Brooks '12)

Fall 2020

Welcome new and returning students! It's going to be a unusual semester and we're looking forward to navigating it together, wherever you are.

Weekly Schedule! Online (and some in-person) gatherings are starting up. Check SkidSync starting 8/27 for event information and registration. Some gatherings have already started, but the full schedule kicks off Monday August 31st. See below for a list of events!

Sign-up for updates (New and returning students): Programming updates will be posted soon as schedules become available. Let us know your interests (specific religious groups, holidays, interfaith work, mindfulness, etc) and we'll be sure to update you. New and returning students can use this form to tell us what you'd like to hear about.

Where are we? ORSL staff are working a mix of on and off campus hours but even if you can't find us in our offices we're available to connec with students. Email us, drop in on Zoom office hours (coming soon), or check the Case Information Desk during "regular" hours. Staff from Campus Life & Engagement (including ORSL) will be at the Case Center Info Desk (right near the Burgess cafe, one floor up from the Post Office and Bookstore) 8:30 am- 12 pm and 1-4:30 pm weekdays.

Holidays and Observances: See this page for more on accomodation policies and a calendar-in-progress. For upcoming observances:

Yom Kippur and Sukkot: For a summary schedule of High Holy Days gatherings and services (online and in person) see our Jewish Student Life page. For specific events, Zoom links, RSVPs, and more, see SkidSync. Remember to use your Skidmore login information on SkidSync to register for events. Contact Martina Zobel or fill out the interest form for updates and to get involved. The Sukkah will again be built on Case Green (help us build it!) and online and in person events will be shared on the Jewish Student Life page and listed on SkidSync.

Online meditation and resources: Check out the Skidmore Mindfulness page for ways to pause and breathe, including guided meditations recorded by our own Jennifer Schmid-Fareed, Coordinator of Skidmore Mindfulness. We will be adding more resources soon!

Clubs: Clubs are getting ready for the year and would love to welcome you! Check them out on Instagram or get in touch with us to find out more: Challah for Hunger, Christian Fellowship, Hayat, Hillel, Muslim Students Association, Newman Club. Is your club missing? Want to start a new one? Let us know!

To all of our students: Keep in touch with us and with each other. We will be finding ways to connect within and across religious and spiritual communities this semester, regardless of how that has to happen. As always we are open to your ideas, leadership, questions, and feedback. What practices or programming has been helpful to you? What else would you like to see? What insights have you gained? Let us know!

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) provides opportunities for members of the Skidmore community to develop their religious and spiritual lives, which are an important part of the educational experience.

We encourage enriching dialogue, meaningful ritual and enduring friendships among people of all religious backgrounds.

We offer:

religious services
holiday observances
contemplative practices
speakers and lectures
educational programs
discussion groups
community-service opportunities
social-justice projects
club advising
individual spiritual counsel

Facebook

Visit the Page

Contacting a chaplain or spiritual advisor During the academic year, the ORSL staff are available to meet with students (in person or online as possible)regardless of religious, spiritual or secular background. Affiliated advisors and local religious leaders from specific traditions are also available on and off campus. We are happy to help students connect with leaders and communities from their preferred tradition. Connect with the ORSL: to discuss faith, spirituality and religion to connect with faith communities on or off campus for prayer or spiritual counsel to plan events on campus of religious, interfaith, and/or spiritual interest if you’re navigating a time of grief or transition to talk about identity and community when worried about a friend or loved one just to talk
Wilson Chapel Wilson Chapel is a beautiful space for worship and wonder, retreat and reflection. The space does not belong to any one tradition or religion and it can be transformed easily to fit specific ritual needs. When not scheduled for campus events, it is available to the Skidmore community for personal reflection and prayer. Events at the chapel include yoga, meditation, religious prayers and services, and events that explore many forms of spiritual and contemplative practice. When not otherwise reserved, the chapel is normally open from around 6:30 a.m. to around 10:30 p.m. during the school year. Those interested in reserving Wilson Chapel for outside use, including weddings, should consult the External Facilities Rental information from the Skidmore College Scheduling Office.

Fall 2020 Weekly schedule summary:

NOTE: Log in to SkidSync for the full event schedule, online gathering info, pre-registration for in-person events, and more! Questions, concerns, or requests for other events? Email us through the staff page, stop by our (online) office hours, or fill out our interest form!

MONDAY

Yoga

Online (Log into SkidSync for detilas), Mondays 12-1. All levels welcome, including newcomers.

Midday Prayer from Christian Traditions
12:15–12:35 p.m. (online) Mondays, with Parker Diggory - varied traditions. All are welcome, whether prayer is a regular part of your practice or not.

Mindfulness & Meditation in the Woods!
4:30 on Mondays, in partnership with Outing Club. Wear a mask, respect social distancing, and join us for a guided meditation outing. (Note, all other daily Mindfulness gatherings are at 4pm).

Tea, Text, Torah
4:30 pm (online) Mondays and Thursdays with Martina Zobel. Stop by for a casual discussion of topics and texts related to Jewish tradition. All are welcome, regardless of religious background.

TUESDAY

Yoga

12-1 pm In person and outdoors, weather permitting. Pre-registration through SkidSync required. All levels. This gathering approaches the practice from the deep sources of yogic tradition and is open to all regardless of religious, spiritual, or secular perspective.

Mindfulness & Meditation
4-4:20pm (online and at Wilson Chapel, see SkidSync for more info)Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Take a break and take a breath. Open to all, regardless of experience or tradition.

WEDNESDAY

Yoga

Mindfulness & Meditation
4-4:20pm (online and at Wilson Chapel, see SkidSync for more info)Tuesdays through Fridays (Monday at 4:30 in-person only). Take a break and take a breath. Open to all, regardless of experience or tradition.

THURSDAY

Yoga

Mindfulness & Meditation in the Woods!
4-4:20pm Meet outside Wilson Chapel. Wear a mask, respect social distancing, and join us for a guided meditation outing.

Tea, Text & Torah
4:30 pm Mondays and Thursdays (online, in person options TBA), with Martina Zobel. Stop by for a casual discussion of topics and texts related to Jewish tradition. All are welcome, regardless of religious background. See SkidSync for more information.

FRIDAY

Yoga

3-4 pm In person and outdoors, weather permitting. Pre-registration through SkidSync required. All levels. This gathering approaches the practice from the deep sources of yogic tradition and is open to all regardless of religious, spiritual, or secular perspective.

Jummah Prayer
Friday afternoons, (online) Khutba and Salat gatherings at 12:45 and 1:45. Connect with MSA or contact us for more information.

Mindfulness & Meditation
4-4:20pm (online and in person, see SkidSync for more info) every weekday. Take a break and take a breath. Open to all, regardless of experience or tradition.

Shabbat Services

Online pre-Shabbat check-in 4:30 pm
Services (online with in-person TBA) 5:15–6:15 pm Student-led egalitarian services with Skidmore Hillel. All are welcome.
Candle Lighting and Blessings 6:30 pm (online with in-person TBA)

Shabbat Dinner
6:30 p.m., second floor of the dining hall unless otherwise announced. Free for students regardless of mealplan.
RSVP via Hillel on SkidSync

SATURDAY

Havdalah: Saturday evenings. Online with in-person options TBA. Look for special Havdalah events with music and storytelling.

SUNDAY

Online church services and Mass: times vary by congregation. Contact our office for connections to local services. One campus options are in the works. Let us know if you'd like to be involved.

...and more!

Open Chapel times coming soon
Programming will be added throughout the semester and for special events, holidays, and other observances
Sign up with clubs on SkidSync for regular club gatherings and special events with: Challah for Hunger, Christian Fellowship, Hayat, Hillel, Muslim Students Association, and more!
Don’t see something for you? Want to start a new gathering or find out about other options? Let us know! Email us through the staff page, stop by our office hours, or fill out the interest form.

Online (and some in-person) gatherings are starting up. Check SkidSync starting 8/27 for event information and registration. Some gatherings have already started, but the full schedule kicks off Monday August 31st.

Schedule subject to change. See SkidSync or contact us for information or to find out about additional opportunities and local services.