Religious and Spiritual Life
The central purpose of the College’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life is to provide a religious and spiritual program that is incorporated into campus life and partners, where possible, with academic programs. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life contributes to a liberal arts education of the whole person for the integration of mind, body and spirit. The office provides safe and sacred spaces for individual spiritual development and growth. The office provides support for all members of the Connecticut College community. There are also opportunities for learning and sharing in inter-faith and ecumenical programs and events. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life fosters awareness, knowledge and skills to become more effective and compassionate citizens in a pluralistic world. It promotes a process of discernment that gives birth to the choice of life work. It seeks to develop attitudes of healthy questioning while maintaining enduring commitment to the greater good, thereby contributing to maturity in judgment and understanding.
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life includes a chaplaincy with several part-time college chaplains: a Roman Catholic priest, a rabbi, and a minister from the Protestant and Unitarian Universalist traditions. The chaplains minister to their own constituents and take responsibility for the care and concern of the College community. The ministry also has active student groups and fellowships.
The Zachs Hillel House at Connecticut College serves as an educational, cultural and religious facility for the Jewish community on campus. It is a space for gatherings and recreation open to the entire community. The program director of the Zachs Hillel House is a member of the staff of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. The Hillel director collaborates with students, faculty and staff to bring innovative events and programs that support Jewish Life and education, as well as programs that support student life at the college and in the greater Jewish community. Programs and events at Zachs Hillel House include, seminars and small classes, Torah Study, regular Shabbat Dinners, and services for the High Holy Days.
Harkness Chapel is at the heart of religious and spiritual activities on campus, hosting religious services and events as well as supporting a variety of organizational meetings and many hours of quiet study in the chapel library. The chapel is host to a variety of musical events, concerts and programs sponsored by the music department, the College singing groups and community organizations. Weekly activities of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life include, Roman Catholic Sunday mass celebrations, ecumenical Protestant services, a weekly Christian meditation, and the weekly Unitarian Universalist fellowship. On occasion services are offered by other religious traditions either in the chapel or in space appropriate places on campus. The Harkness Chapel is home to the International Student Center for the College. For more information please visit http://www.conncoll.edu/religious-spiritual-life/