In this edition of “Chaplains’ Corner,” Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer discusses hate crimes and argues for us to internalize the holiday message of peace on earth.
In an op-ed, the Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer discusses life after two years of COVID-19 and reflects on the meaning of closure, impermanence, and community.
In the spring semester’s first Chaplains’ Corner piece, Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer notes that as the pandemic has progressed, our community has replaced fear with resilience. Rest is essential for the cultivation of this resilience, she writes.
This is the semester where no one knew what to expect. No one knew what was going to happen. All we had were numerous scenarios. Our planning started with the worst-case — a massive outbreak of COVID-19...
Several weeks ago, I played the song, “The Kingdom of God is Justice and Peace” to a photo montage of the news of the week during a virtual Night Prayer service attended by an assortment of people,...
As individuals who live and work in Williamstown, and especially as students and teachers of faith traditions that uphold the dignity of each person, we are appalled by the recent allegations of racial and sexual misconduct by the leadership of the Williamstown Police Department.
Each day I read the news reports, looking for clues to a better understanding of COVID-19. My favorite news sources tend to validate scientific research, while the national discourse seems to question...
The celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, one of the two most important events in the Christian calendar (Christmas being the other), is both wonderful and challenging. For many, the theological challenges of who Jesus is (Son of God, Incarnate Christ, teacher, prophet, healer) are difficult enough.
During this past Thanksgiving, I spent time at a friend’s house, and one of the guests for one of these large Thanksgiving parties fancied himself to be a cynic. Very nice person, but don’t...
Please, allow me to muse about being a young adult in the Reagan/Bush years. I can’t believe I have become nostalgic for those years! The polarization and divisions in society that we have become accustomed...
I was trying to talk myself out of doing anything for 9/11 and found myself still in a strange space still can’t mention her name still anchored to a subculture and a narrative beneath the rubble of...
Welcome to the Chaplains’ Office column! We will be writing twice a month, offering reflections on spiritual themes that are inspired through our respective faith journeys and our engagement with thoughts...
