Chaplain’s Office/Center for Spiritual Life (C.S.L.)
Location: Dahlstrom Student Center, #40
Phone: (315)279-5378
Email: csl@keuka.edu
The Center for Spiritual Life (C.S.L.) is located in the Dahlstrom Student Center, at the bottom of the stairs, by the Oak Room. The office suite has a lounge, a meditation/prayer/reflection room, and an office space for the chaplain.
The C.S.L. encourages and supports the spiritual and religious development of the campus community, creating citizens and leaders who are balanced in body, mind, and spirit to serve the world. The office raises spiritual awareness in keeping with the vision of the College’s founder, Rev. George Harvey Ball, who believed, “a vibrant spiritual life is fundamental to building creative and complete lives.” The C.S.L informs the campus about religious traditions by providing a religious holidays calendar that highlights major religious celebrations in religions represented on our campus and around the world. In the midst of a diverse, multi-faith people, the C.S.L. seeks to provide possibilities for peacemaking, social justice, interfaith dialogue, leadership development, and personal growth for both the individual and the community.
The programs of the C.S.L. utilize eight spiritual paths (Arts/Creativity, Contemplation, Intellectual Inquiry, Nature, Relationship, Service, Social Activism, and Worship) to explore “Life’s Big Questions.” All students, regardless of their religious and/or faith expression, are encouraged to participate in a survey which will help them identify which paths they relate most to spiritually. The student directors work with the chaplain to provide interfaith programming to the campus. Other programs of the C.S.L. include Yoga, a student led, non-denominational service, a weekly campus conversation called, “Know Your Neighbor,” and an annual Alternative Spring Break trip.
Leadership opportunities in the C.S.L. including student directors of spiritual paths (work study), membership on the College’s Spiritual Life Advisory Board (SLAB), and conferences.
The C.S.L. encourages student involvement in the Senate recognized club, Coexist. Coexist is led by students interested in spiritual and religious life. The diverse group demonstrates how persons of different religious and nonreligious beliefs can grow and work collaboratively. The C.S.L. assists students in connecting to faith communities in the surrounding area, when students express interest.
Scholarship money is available for students looking to explore a "Spiritual Exploration Field Period." The Field Period Office notifies students about scholarship dates and the application process.
Keuka College is historically related to the American Baptist Churches USA, but is not a religious institution. While we offer a variety of religious and spiritual activities through the Center for Spiritual Life and clubs, students are not required to take religious courses or participate in religious activities or services.
The College chaplain is available to the entire Keuka College community for pastoral care, support, and spiritual guidance and can be reached at ext. 5378.