Programs and Resources | Spiritual Engagement

The Office of Spiritual Engagement provides a multitude of opportunities for you to practice your faith or connect with community in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Weekly Events

Pasta Night

Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.
Chaplain's Residence, 630 S. Main Street

Students gather for conversation, fellowship and a pasta meal. The evening format is simple: prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for others, prayers for ourselves; eating supper in a safe, socially distant setting. Email pastanight@hws.edu to RSVP the Sunday before each gathering (RSVP required).

Kosher Shabbat Dinner

Fridays 6:30 p.m.
Abbe Center for Jewish Life

Email shabbat@hws.edu to get on our email list to receive safety information on protocols, weekly menus, and RSVP reminders.

Catholic Mass

Sundays, 4:30 p.m.
St. John's Chapel

Service of Holy Eucharist (Protestant Episcopal)

Sundays, 7 p.m.
St. John's Chapel

Muslim Prayers

Fridays, 1:30 p.m.
The Muslim Student Center, Medbery 104B

Hillel Board Meeting

Email hillel@hws.edu for more information about getting involved with the Hillel board.

Open Chapel

St. John's Chapel is open for contemplative prayer and meditation every day from early morning to late evening as long as the chapel is not being used for regular worship service or special event, or the Colleges are closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Pass the Plate

HWS is committed to addressing food insecurity through Pass the Plate, the community food and personal item pantry. Located in Demarest Hall 012 and operated through the Office of Spiritual Engagement, any student or HWS community member can access non-perishable foods and personal hygiene products throughout the semester.

Questions can be directed to pantry coordinator Jennifer Tufano at 315-781-3671 or tufano@hws.edu.

Those needing extra meal swipes can register for Swipe Out Hunger.

Pass the Plate is donation based and accepts non-perishable food and all types of personal care items. Most popular and most needed items are:

Single-serve cold cereal and oatmeal cups
Granola bars of all types
Peanut butter and jelly (donated bread can be kept in the freezer)
Protein items: canned tuna, chicken, beans, lentils
Jars and single serve fruit
Shelf stable milk, juices
Pasta, sauce, grated cheese
Small bottle of oil and spray oil for cooking
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, feminine care supplies
Paper towels, tissues

Labyrinth for Spiritual Restoration

Labyrinths have long been used in spiritual practices throughout cultures and religions around the world, connecting mind, body and spirit. Because of its presence in many traditions and cultures, the labyrinth fits well with the inclusive culture HWS seeks to build and the multifaith emphasis of the Office of Spiritual Engagement.

Through donations, HWS created a memorial labyrinth south of the Richard S. Perkin Observatory off Kings Lane nears the Colleges’ arts campus.

Students performed the majority of construction and will perform minimal maintenance work throughout the labyrinth’s lifetime.

Muslim Life Center

With the nearest mosques located in Rochester and Syracuse, the Muslim Life Center was created to provide a space that enriches the religious and cultural diversity on campus and a place to pray that is easy for students to access. With two wudu stations for ablutions as well as a separate prayer room, the Muslim Life Center hosts weekly Friday Prayers from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., and serves as a hub for events and discussions. The Center is centrally located on the first floor of Medbery Hall.