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MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITYMEMORIAL CHAPEL2016-2017Interfaith Calendar

We welcome andsupport people ofall religious andspiritual traditionsat Morgan ebook:Morgan State UniversityMemorial ChapelPhone:(443) 885-5105(443) 885-5166Address:1700 East Cold Spring LaneBaltimore, MD 21251

Chapel highlighted in orange

Rev. Dr. Bernard KeelsMrs. Marsha M. PriceImam Derrick AminRev. Neva BrownDeacon Wardell BarksdaleRev. Dr. Daniel MurrayDeacon Reggie PriceMr. Abnet Shiferaw

UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL CHAPELADMINISTRATION AND STAFFRev. Dr. Bernard KeelsMrs. Marsha M. PriceDean, University Memorial ChapelAdministrative Specialist(443) 885-5105(443) n.eduCHAPLAINS AND ASSOCIATESRev. Dr. Daniel MurrayMr. Abnet ShiferawChapel AssociateIntervarsity Chaplain(410) 718-9608(410) gan.eduImam Derrick AminRev. D. Stewart MottMuslim ChaplainApostolic Ministry(410) 696-8574(410) 353-2587imamderrick.amin@morgan.eduDeacon Wardell BarksdaleRev. Neva BrownRoman-Catholic ChaplainEpiscopal/Anglican Ministry(410) 404-7133(410) 274-0557neva.brown@morgan.eduDeacon Reggie PriceLutheran Chaplain(443) 791-0074reginald.price@morgan.edu

Chapel Mission StatementThe primary mission of the University Memorial Chapelis to assist students, faculty, and staff in developing anappreciation for spiritual and moral values in their lives.To facilitate this end, the University Memorial Chapelinteracts with students, administration, and faculty ofthe University as well as leaders, organizations, and institutions in the community. The mission of the Chapelis closely associated with the history of Morgan StateUniversity and its ecumenical promotion of spiritualand social values.

History of The ChapelThe mission of the University Memorial Chapel is best understood against thebackground of its history. In 1867, a group of dedicated ministers met at SharpStreet Church to establish the Centenary Biblical Institute. The Institute grew,and in time, the curriculum was broadened. In 1890, the name was changed toMorgan College, in honor of a generous benefactor. In the 1920's the schoolwas moved to its present site. The Morgan trustees, in 1939, decided to sellthe college to the State of Maryland. The proceeds from that transaction wereearmarked for the construction of a center for religious activities, the MorganChristian Center, a parsonage, and an endowment. The buildings were erectedon a plot of land adjacent to the campus, and were dedicated in 1941.In August of 2009, the Morgan Christian Center trustees deeded the propertyto 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 ofHistoric Places. Also, the United Methodist Commission Archives and Historyhas designated Morgan State University, and the Memorial Chapel, as ahistoric site.

What does the Chapel offer thecommunity?A LOT ! Provides hospitable spaces and support tostudents as they connect their religious andspiritual lives with their Morgan education Offers pastoral care to individuals and groups Coordinates community service projects Educates the Morgan community on religiousdiversity, holy days, and spiritual practicesConvenes groups for interreligiousengagements 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 Faithclaims 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 insidethe 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 meaningto 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 Romanauthorities who convicted him of high treason. For many Christians, the cross represents the sacrificialdeath 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 designedby Hans Deutch during WWII.Sikhism: Ik Onkar (“one god”) is a combination of two characters: the numeral Ik (one) and thefirst 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 theprimordial sound, the first breath of creation. The Om sign also signifies God, creation, and the oneness ofall 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, thesymbol 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, thatthe intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people - but there are multiple opinions onits meaning.Islam: While generally regarded as an Islamic symbol today, the crescent moon and star pre-datesIslam by several thousand years. This symbol became affiliated with the Muslim world after it was adoptedby 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 bythe Buddha in his teachings.Zoroastrianism: The winged symbol now associated with Zoroastrianism is known asthe “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 Mazdato 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, sincefeathers from various birds are used by many tribes in belief, stories, and regalia. It does not represent thedirect 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 thathave befallen the Jewish peopleSept 6-15: Paryushana. Jain. Eight day festival signifying human emergence into a new worldof spiritual and moral refinement. Sept 11-14 : Eid al Adha. Islam. The Festival of Sacrifice remembers Abraham’s devotion inoffering 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 HolyDays.Oct 4– 23: Sukkot. Jewish. The Feast of the Tabernacles. Harvest Festival. Meals are consumedin a temporary outdoor structure.* Oct 12 : Yom Kippur. Jewish. The Day of Atonement. Most solemn Jewish holy day. Adults fastfrom food and drink.*Oct 12: Ashura. Muslim. For Shias a commemoration of the martyrdom at Karbala of Hussein, agrandson 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 andthe 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 inEgypt.Apr 13: Maundy/Holy Thursday. Christian. Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with hisdisciples.Apr 14: Good/Holy Friday. Christian. Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.Apr 14: Vaisakhi/Baisakhi. Sikh. Marks the formation of the Khalsa (religious community ofSikhs) 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, declaredhis 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 GautamaBuddha.* 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.

15142928.2221Tish’a 20136Sattoday.”-Malcolm X“The future belongs to those who prepare for it2518114ThuAugust 2016

MonTueWed121119261825Sept. 11-14Eid al Adha:542720Sept. 6-15Paryushana:136- Mark Twain2821147“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”Sun29221581Thu30231692FriSeptember 20162417103Sat

Mon10172431162330 Diwali:Oct. 3-4Tue2619Yom Kippur andAshura:125Wed2720136Thu2821147Fri2922158Oct. 1-101 Navaratri:Satsucceed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edisongreatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way toOct. 11-23Sukot:“Our2518113Rosh Hashanah: 492SunOctober 2016

71421286132027SunMonAll Saints ur Ashe“Start where you are. Use what youhave. Do what you can.”Thanksgiving2417103ThuNovember 2016

MonTueWed272625Dec. 25-Jan. 1Hanukkah:Christmas Day201918131211654- Eleanor Roosevelt2821147“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”SunBodhi Day29221581Thu30231692December 2016Fri312417103Sat

andHanukkah916233015222928New Year’s Fri2821147Sat-Dalai Lama“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”WedJanuary 2017