Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy - Here for the whole house.

“I am completely non-judgmental. I am not here to direct someone’s journey. My role is to create space for reflection. This pause is important because it allows one to step back and examine their journey from a new perspective and assists in the ability to process what is being learned and understand oneself a little better. My job is really to provide students with an opportunity to fully absorb and more deeply integreate their university learning and experiences.” – Pastor Sean
 

A place of connection, conversation, and action for people of all faiths and no faith.

A Rabbi and chaplain once said that “the chaplain is the chaplain to the whole house. The chaplain is confident in his or her own spirituality and doesn’t need to bring everyone to the same place. It is the role of chaplaincy to make sure that everyone gets to where they are going.” This means that the chaplain is available to anyone, regardless of the degree to which they choose to be involved in campus life, or the path they are on.

“I encourage a dialogue that benefits all of society and the whole person as we keep asking what kind of world we want to live in and what kind of loving neighbour we will be in a very diverse world.” – Pastor Sean
 

What does the Chaplaincy do?

Luther College has called Rev. Sean Bell to serve as the Chaplain. The Chaplain's role is broadly defined and assists in areas of student and staff support, community organizing, themes of justice, Christian Worship, and Multifaith dialog.
 

Luther College is Rooted and Open!
The chaplaincy exists as part of the Luther College identity. This means that “Because they are rooted in a robust theological tradition, these institutions intentionally pursue conversation about big questions from the full array of religious and secular academic traditions. In so doing, they shape character, invite vocational discernment and build religious literacy. These institutions pose big questions, like 'Who are you going to be?' alongside the question 'What are you going to do?' Wrestling with these questions, students gain fluency in the language of meaning and purpose.” http://www.augie.edu/sites/default/files/u7/Rooted-and-Open.pdf
 

Luther College is more than a collection of classes!
University is not just a collection of classes. The thoughts and ideas that you encounter in class. The learning and formation that you undergo is done within a community of scholars who take on the task of thinking deeply about the world as we know it, and how it could be changed. The Regina Beach Manifesto states “This implies a de-emphasis of mere topicality in the subject matter of the liberal arts curriculum. It demands a deliberate renewal of the study of the nature of love, of justice, freedom, science, economic good, the arts: in fact, all those values which give meaning and substance to life. (https://www.uregina.ca/president/assets/docs/pdf/regina-beach-manifesto.pdf

The Chaplaincy is here to help you tear down your old assumptions, listen deeply to the pain of growing up, taking on new ideas, and leaving behind old ways of believing. You cannot expect to come through this process unchanged… and if you are unchanged, it’s possible you weren’t paying attention! Now is the time to ask the hard questions, to wrestle with controversial beliefs, and to passionately explore possibilities for what your life will become, and how you will change the world around you.
 

The Chaplain's Office
The new remote teaching environment and COVID-19 isolation measures have drastically changed the way this office works. One day we will hopefully resume our regular programming (face to face with free food and all that good stuff!) 

• Student and Staff Support:
  • E-mail or call, I’m here to support you! There is no topic off limits. I like to say “You could probably hurt my feelings if you were really mean to me, but likely you won’t be able to surprise or offend me by telling me about your ideas, experience or story. I mean to say… in addition to getting my MDiv and being ordained I’m aware of the existence of HBO, played minor hockey, have a degree as an RN and grew up around ranchers and farmers. So if you want to talk about manure, catheters, wound care, sports, Jon Snow, Rick Grimes son Carl becoming a child soldier, theology, God or any combination of these things I’m pretty much ready to go.” – Pastor Sean  Sean.bell@uregina.ca
• Community Organizing:
  • Looking to get connected on campus? Wondering what your University is offering? The Chaplain's Office is well connected.
  • Right now everything is in flux… but the chaplaincy is here for those who reach out and encounter whatever community looks like in this coming year. Part of being more digital will mean doing more with the chaplaincy digital presence… and that is going to be an unfolding process.
• Multifaith Encounters and Christian Worship
  • In normal times there were gatherings, food, and a group of employed students called “Peer Chaplains.” Together, we provided support in times of crisis, engaged community events, and maintained the Chapel Space (2^nd floor by the Auditorium) as a place where students could come for Worship or use the space individually to pray, rest, light candles, find quiet, or sit in the corner with the cushions and sky light.
  • Rev. Sean Bell is rooted in the Lutheran tradition and offers worship and sacraments from this tradition, but in addition to this, he also makes space for everyone of all traditions.
    
    “When religious traditions come together in conversation learning takes place. First, we learn about the other by discovering our differences and/or similarities, both on the surface and at a deeper level. Secondary learning takes place within oneself because, as a result of encountering the faith and ideas of others, we gain insight into our own thinking, faith, and ways of being human.” – Pastor Sean
     

Who is the Chaplaincy for?

The Chaplaincy is for all people. We hold Worship services for Christians but also hold space for people of all faiths and no faith. Our many projects are aimed at deepening questions, Multi-Faith dialogue, justice, community building, student support, and fun stress relief.

We are part of the Positive Space Network and when we say all are welcome we really mean it. At Luther, there is a place for all.
 

Fall 2020 Weekly Online Chapels

You can access a list of chaplaincy online offerings using the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0PbvuczJujZlUvhee_3zHA?guided_help_flow=3.

Weekly online chapels and additional online offering will be available starting in September for you to view. Eventually, we hope to be able to engage with you again in person as COVID-19 restrictions change. 
 

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Check out our Events Calendar for current activities and/or follow us on Facebook.

You can also drop by Pastor Sean’s Office, LC 107 or contact him at 306-585-5028 or sean.bell@uregina.ca. He will listen to your concerns and help you find where you belong. You could talk about literally anything...