INTERFAITH EXPLORATION WEEK
Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University is celebrating religious and spiritual diversity and inclusion through Interfaith Exploration Week from Feb. 3-9, 2025. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in a series of gatherings that provide an opportunity to learn about diverse religious and spiritual traditions, rediscover familiar traditions, and build relationships and understanding across barriers. Hosted by the Chaplains of Hendricks Chapel, participants can attend Jumuah prayer, a Buddhist meditation, Catholic Mass, Shabbat dinner and more.
Interfaith Exploration Week Schedule 2025
Monday, Feb. 3
10 AM-12 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Minister Sophia Perez
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Non-Denominational web page.
12-1 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Sensei JoAnn Cooke
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
1-2 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
8-9 AM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
12-1:30 PM
Chinese Christian Fellowship
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Chinese Christian Fellowship’s web page.
12:30-1:30 PM
Christian Protestant Bible Reading
Hendricks Chapel
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Non-Denominational web page.
12:30-2:30 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Pastor Daren Jaime
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Historically Black Church web page.
12:30-2:30 PM
Mustard Seed Fellowship
Hendricks Chapel, Strates Room
For more info, visit the Mustard Seed Fellowship’s web page.
2-4 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Father Gerry Waterman
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page.
3-5 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Reverend Jee Hae Song
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more information, visit the United Methodist’s web page.
5-7 PM
SPIRAL Meeting: Introduction to Paganism & Spirituality
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Syracuse University’s Pagan Association (SPIRAL) web page.
7-8 PM
An Evening with Eboo Patel
Hendricks Chapel
Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University is excited to welcome Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America, for a discussion surrounding faith, democracy, diversity and leadership.
6-7:30 PM
Methodist Lectio Divina Bible Study
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more information, visit the United Methodist’s web page.
Wednesday, Feb. 5
9 AM-1 PM
Water Street (Bagels!) Wednesday
Syracuse Hillel
Winnick Hillel Center, 102 Walnut Place
For more information, visit the Jewish Chaplaincy web page.
10-11 AM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
12:10-12:30 PM
Wednesday Catholic Mass
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page.
1-3 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Rev. Devon Bartholomew
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Non-Denominational web page.
2-3 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
6:15-7:30 PM
Understanding Islam Class
Bird Library, Peter Graham Room, Room 114
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.
7-8:30 PM
“Bridge” Gathering
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Evangelical web page.
Thursday, Feb. 6
10-11 AM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
12-1:30 PM
“Bridge” Friendship Luncheon
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Evangelical web page.
12:30-1:30 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.
1-3 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Rev. Devon Bartholomew
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Non-Denominational web page.
2-4 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Father Gerry Waterman
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page.
5-7 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Rev. Rhoda Barron
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Historically Black Church web page.
7-8:30 PM
Graduate Christian Fellowship Meeting
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Graduate Christian Fellowship web page.
7-9:30 PM
Christian Outreach
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Non-Denominational web page.
Friday, Feb. 7
1-1:40 PM
Jumuah Prayer
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.
1:30-2:30 PM
Jumuah Prayer
Noble Room
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.
5:30-7:30 PM
Shabbat Services and Dinner
Syracuse Hillel
Winnick Hillel Center, 102 Walnut Place
For more information, visit the Jewish Chaplaincy web page.
6-7:30 PM
Orthodox Christian Fellowship Meeting
Strates Room
For more information, visit the Orthodox Christian Fellowship web page.
Saturday, Feb. 8
5-6 PM
Saraswathi/Vasant Panchami Puja
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit the Hindu Student Association web page.
Sunday, Feb. 9
11 AM-12 PM
Campus Church: Non-Denominational Christian
Hendricks Chapel
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Non-Denominational web page.
1:30-4 PM
Interfaith Day of Service and Learning
Hendricks Chapel
More info is coming!
1-2 PM
Sunday Catholic Mass
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page.
5:30-6:30 PM
Drop-in Office Hours with Pastor Daren Jaime
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more info, visit the Historically Black Church web page.
5:30-7:00 PM
Sunday Service: Lutheran
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more info, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Lutheran web page.
6:30-8 PM
Sunday Service: Historically Black Church
Hendricks Chapel
For more info, visit the Historically Black Church web page.
Seven Reasons to Attend Interfaith Exploration Week:
- Learn about other faith communities. You may have a Jewish friend who you met in the residence hall, but you don’t know a great deal about Judaism. Interfaith Exploration Week is a ideal time to learn about your friends and their beliefs.
- Deepen your sense of religious and spiritual diversity. If you have been raised in a particular faith community, attending university may be the first time you’ve met Buddhists, Muslims, Baptists, etc. One of the best ways to create understanding is to observe another’s practice.
- Find your own community of faith. Leaving home also means leaving your home place of worship. Finding a faith community at school can offer a home away from home. Additionally, you may find yourself ready to create new opportunities as you expand your center of understanding.
- Have Fun! It’s just fun to be with new people in new places!
- Meet the chaplains. Did you know that our chaplains are confidential resources? If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, you can meet with any of our chaplains. Each chaplain is here to support our entire student body, regardless of your spiritual, religious, or non-religious practice.
- Make friends! In these programs, you will meet new people. Perhaps you’ve seen them in your residence hall or in class but have never had a chance to connect. Now you’ll have an experience in common!
- Hendricks Chapel is a “home for all faiths and a place all people.” With 15 chaplains and more than 25 student and religious groups, Hendricks Chapel celebrates and observes many traditions. At Interfaith Exploration Week events, you can ask questions, learn, and experience concepts new to you!
“Interfaith Exploration Week is an opportunity to create and sustain curiosity, understanding and expression,” said Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “We hope that all participants can learn about others, and also learn about themselves, all in service to our common good.”
Interfaith Exploration Week is organized by the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (SAIL), chaplains, religious and spiritual life group advisors, and the staff of Hendricks Chapel.
To learn more about Interfaith Exploration Week, call us at email 315.443.2901 or email chapel@syr.edu.