Center for Religious & Spiritual Life
Reflect | Resist | Rejuvenate
The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life is an interreligious, nondenominational body that promotes spiritual flourishing for all students, religious and nonreligious alike. Our areas of focus are ethical reflection, social and racial justice and civic engagement, mindfulness and contemplative practice, and community building based in dialogue and respect. We provide resources grounded in different faith and wisdom traditions, and strive to raise religious literacy and promote interfaith engagement toward a more inclusive, just and engaged citizenry. In the midst of a vibrant academic community, we encourage explorations of mystery, faith, ritual and that which we experience as holy.
We invite you to reflect, resist, rejuvenate with us, and remember—whoever you are, wherever you have been and wherever you are going, you are welcome here.
Our Mission
The Smith Center for Religious & Spiritual Life offers guidance and pastoral care through a lens of mutuality and exploration, and we collaborate to respond with grace and courage to the events that threaten to disrupt our lives. We are invested in what Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and others before him called the “beloved community,” a dynamic vision in which the worth, dignity and promise of each human is honored and in which we strive to live as stewards of the earth and its creatures.
Connect With Us!
About the Center
The Smith Center for Religious & Spiritual Life is a unique setting for student engagement.
View moreOur Staff
Our staff members are here to guide and assist you in your spiritual growth and fulfillment.
View moreNewsletter
To learn more about what we're up to each semester, be sure to read our newsletter.
View moreStudent Advisory Board
The CRSL Student Advisory Board fosters collaboration and dialogue between students and the Center for Religious & Spiritual Life.
View moreFeatured Events
Tajweed
- Chapel Sanctuary 4pm
Tajweed is one of the most prominent sciences of the Quran & Islam. It is a science governed by deep-rooted static rules derived from the oral recitation of the Quran by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after he heard the revelation from the Angel Gabriel (Peace be upon him). Tajweed is an art that is important for the proper pronunciation of and recitation of Allah’s words. Contact kalston@smith.edu for information.
Sandwiches and Soul
- Sanctuary 12:15pm
Formally know as Soup, Salad, and Soul. Arrive when you can, official start time is 12:15pm. Enjoy lunch and take part in reflective, student led discussions on spirituality and life. Sandwiches and drinks provided.
Meditation
- Sanctuary 5 p.m.
Students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend weekly mindful meditation in the tradition initiated by Ruth Ozeki, led by Mary Beth Brooker during Ruth's absence. A simple, relaxed, silent practice of sitting and walking meditation, using chairs and floor cushions. Initial meditation instruction offered. All levels welcome.
Mindful Mondays
- Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary 12:15 p.m.
Mindful Mondays offers practice, reflection and conversation drawing on secular mindfulness, somatics and traditional Buddhist teachings. All are welcome. Please contact aostow@smith.edu with questions. In case of bad weather stay tuned to Instagram (@crsl_smithcollege), Facebook, or our emails to find out if we will shift to Zoom. When on zoom register for the link at bit.ly/MindfulMondays2021.
In this time of urgent racial crisis, we emerge from ongoing planning into powerful action.
With recommendations from our Toward Racial Justice at Smith plan, Smith College continues its commitment to transparency, to inclusivity and to racial justice at Smith. Informed by student, staff and faculty voices to Inclusion in Action work, as well as student and alumnae/i demands, discussions with the Inclusion Council and Presidents’ Cabinet, the college commits to action.
Center For Religious & Spiritual Life Blog
Recent Posts
2021-2022: The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Explores Transformative and Disability Justice as Spiritual Practices
Matilda CantwellReparations in Higher Education
Kim AlstonThe War in Afghanistan, 9-11, and our Interconnectedness
Kim AlstonThink of Criticalhope as One Word
Rhonda Shapiro-RieserFor more, visit our Wordpress blog.
Contact
Helen Hills Hills Chapel
123-125 Elm Street
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063
Fax: 413-585-2794
We are open daily to the Smith community from 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. for prayer, reflection, conversation, meditation, study and worship.