Interfaith Exploration Week

INTERFAITH EXPLORATION WEEK

Dean Brian Konkol and Jikyo Bonnie Shoultz visited during last summer’s staff and chaplain retreat.

Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University is celebrating religious and spiritual diversity and inclusion through Interfaith Exploration Week from Feb. 5-11, 2024. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in a series of gatherings that provide an opportunityto 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. The week will conclude with a special Interfaith Dinner and Conversation with the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders on Sunday, February 11 from 5:00-6:00 P.M. For the full schedule and details, visit our website.   

Interfaith Exploration Week Schedule 2024

Monday, Feb. 5

9:30-10:30 AM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

6:30-8 PM
Buddhist Sangha Meeting, Meditation, Tea, and Discussion
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite,  HC005
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

8 – 9 PM
Game Night with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
801 East Colvin Street, Syracuse, NY  13210
For more information, visit the LDS web page.

Tuesday, Feb. 6

11 AM-12 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

12:30-2 PM
Lunch, Worship and Bible Study with the Chinese Christian Fellowship
Hendricks Chapel, Strates Room
For more information, visit the Chinese Christian Fellowship web page.

1:30 -2:30 PM
Office hours with Rev. Jay Koshy, Evangelical Christian Protestant Chaplain
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite, HC005
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Evangelical web page.

2-4 PM
Office Hours with Father Gerry
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

8-9:30 PM
Christian Outreach
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Christian Outreach web page.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

9:00 AM -1:00 PM
Water St. Wednesday at Hillel: Drop in for Bagels and Shmear
Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life, 102 Walnut Place
For more information, visit the Jewish Chaplaincy web page.

9:30-10:30 AM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

12-1 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

12:10-12:30 PM
20-Minute Catholic Mass 
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

1-3 PM
Office Hours with Rev. Devon Bartholomew, Non-Denominational Christian Protestant Chaplain
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite,  HC005
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Baptist web page.

1:30-2:30 PM
Office Hours with Father Gerry at SU Catholic Center
110 Walnut Place
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

3-4 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

6:30-7:45 PM
Understanding Islam Class
Bird Library, 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.

8-9 PM
Orthodox Christian Fellowship Meeting
St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church; 325 Waring Road, DeWitt
For more information, visit the Orthodox Christian Fellowship web page.

Thursday, Feb. 8

9:30-10:30 AM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page.

12:00-1:30 PM
Bridge’s 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 Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

1-3 PM
Tea With the Buddhist Chaplain
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

1-3 PM
Office Hours with Rev. Devon Bartholomew, Non-Denominational Christian Protestant Chaplain
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplains’ Suite,  HC005
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Baptist web page.

2-4 PM
Office Hours with Father Gerry
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

7 PM at SU Catholic Center
Catholic Mass at SU Catholic Center
110 Walnut Place
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

7-8:30 PM
Graduate Christian Fellowship
Hendricks Chapel, Chaplain’s Suite,  HC005

7:30-9:30 PM
Campus Bible Fellowship
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit Campus Bible Fellowship’s web page.

7:30-8:30 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meeting
411 Falk MacNaughton Hall
For more information, visit the LDS web page.

Friday, Feb. 9

11 AM-12 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

1:10-1:40 PM
Jumuah Prayer
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.

1:30-2:30 PM
Jumuah Luncheon
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.

4:30-5:30 PM
Buddhist Meditation
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit Buddhist Chaplaincy’s web page. 

5:30-6:30 PM
Welcoming Rosh Chodesh Shabbat (women-led service)
Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life at 102 Walnut Place
For more information, visit the Jewish Chaplaincy web page.

6:30-8 PM
Mock Mendi with the Hindu Student Association (HSA), Muslim Student Association (MSA) and South Asian Student Association (SASA)
Hall of Languages, Room 500
For more information, visit the Hindu Student Association web page.
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.
For more information, visit the Muslim Student Association web page.

7:30 PM
Weekly Meeting with the Adventist Christian Fellowship
Hall of Languages, Room 211
For more information, visit the Adventist Christian Fellowship web page.

8:30-9:30 PM
Beginning of Spring (Imbolc) Ritual and Celebration/
Hendricks Chapel, Small Chapel
For more information, visit the Syracuse University’s Pagan Association (SPIRAL) web page.

Saturday, Feb. 10

6-8 PM
“The Umrah Experience”
Appetizers will be served.
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Muslim Chaplaincy web page.

Sunday, Feb. 11

10 AM – 12 PM
Sunday service with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
801 East Colvin Street, Syracuse, NY  13210
For more information, visit the LDS web page.

10:30-11:30 AM
Catholic Mass at SU Catholic Center
110 Walnut Place
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

11 AM – 12 PM
Campus Church
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Baptist web page.

1-2 PM
Catholic Mass 
Hendricks Chapel
For more information, visit Catholic Chaplaincy’s web page. 

4-5:30 PM
Lutheran Service
Hendricks Chapel, Noble Room
For more information, visit the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy—Lutheran web page.

5 – 6 PM
Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (SAIL) Meeting
Hendricks Chapel, Strates Room
Appetizers will be served.
For more information, visit SAIL’s web page.

Seven Reasons to Attend Interfaith Exploration Week:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Have Fun! It’s just fun to be with new people in new places!
  5. 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.
  6. 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!
  7. 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.