Tuesday, 10/9, 7 p.m., First Church in Oberlin

Queers and Allies of Faith will screen the film Hineini, about a student's coming out at and thereby transforming a Jewish day school on issues of sexuality and gender. Refreshments will be served. Cosponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Multicultural Resource Center, the Bonner Center for Service and Learning, and Queer Jews and Allies as part of National Coming Out Week. All are welcome.

Wednesday, 10/10, 7 p.m., Tappan Square

Oberlin's Newman Catholic Community will host a bonfire with s'mores. All are welcome.

Sunday, 10/14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Peace Community Church

The worshop will be facilitated by Bereavement Educator, Susan Maxymiv, a certified Family Life Educator and Thanatologist (one who studies dying, death, and bereavement). She is currently an adjunct instructor at Kent State University teaching courses in Bereavement, Gerontology, and Family Studies.  About the workshop, Ms. Maxymiv comments, "They are close friends but you're hesitant to pick up the phone when you hear of their loss. What can you say? What can you do? Simply walk alongside and share their grief journey. Join us for conversation and practical suggestions to provide support and understanding surrounding the topic of loss." Ms. Maxymiv became interested in bereavement education more than 20 years ago when, as the Director of the Elyria Senior Center, she realized that 80% of the women attending were widows hoping to discover new friends and meaning to life. She was the Director of Bereavement Care for Busch Family Funeral Chapels, serving families in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties. During that time, she also became active with the Northeast Ohio Bereavement Council and the Cuyahoga County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. In 2005,  she mourned the unexpected death of her husband Peter when sons Matthew and Daniel were 23 and 19 respectively. She continues to find joy in family as well as other activities. People are invited to bring a bag lunch. For more information, contact Rev. Mary Hammond, 774-3031. Handicapped access is available behind the church. The program is free and open to the public.

Sunday, 10/14, 3-5 p.m., Islamic Center of Cleveland

There will be short lectures and a panel discussion followed by a question and answer session. A film titled, "Islam in America: The Christian Truth",  produced by the  New Evangelical Partnership will also be shown. Refreshments will be served and tours of Islamic Center will be available. We hope that you can join us. Please feel free to share this invitation with others. The Islamic Center is located at 6055 West 130th St., Parma, 44130.

Monday, 10/15, 4:30 p.m., Wilder 101

Thursday, 10/18, Film 4 p.m., Discussion 7:15 p.m., Kendal at Oberlin

Explore America's backcountry with Kira and Aviva on an intermediate-level hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail in the Smokey Mountains! Expect 8-10 miles of hiking per day, beautiful fall colors, rolling hills, meditation, trail songs, morning yoga, and good food! We'll be doing a mix of camping in shelters along the trails as well as under the stars! This trip will be an excellent chance to rejuvenate ourselves after midterms by getting out of Oberlin, experiencing natural beauty, and challenging ourselves. It is our goal to create an atmosphere full of positive energy in which everyone feels comfortable and inspired to explore themselves and make new friends. To enter the lottery for trip, email Oberlin Outings Club at oberlin.outingsclub@gmail.com. Questions? Email Aviva Maslow at amaslow@oberlin.edu.

Saturday, 11/3, 9 am-5 pm, Wilder Main Space

 This retreat will include several hours of sitting meditation (probably about 3.5 total), interspersed with periods of walking meditation, opening and closing discussions and group activities, an hour-long free vegetarian lunch focused on mindful, silent eating, and a session of yoga. Mats and meditation cushions will be provided. This will be the third time our group has organized a event dedicated to practicing intensive meditation and strengthening the connections within our community . The number of people attending will have a big impact on our plans, including the amount of meditation cushions we reserve and especially food preparation, so if you plan to attend, RSVP by Saturday, 10/27 to om@oberlin.edu. This retreat has the potential to be the biggest and most inclusive event we've had yet, so tell your friends, classmates, Oberlin community members whoever! We hope you will join us. 

Saturday, 11/10, 10 am-10 pm, St. Clarence Parish, North Olmsted

Expert panels, informative workshops, free lunch with registration, national and local networking opportunities, and dinner with Sr. Helen Prejean. For more information, visit http://www.otse.org/2012-conference.aspx. For rides or additional information contact Anne Elder at 774-2947.

Thursday, 11/15, 7:30 pm, Wilder 101

Professors Douglas and Rhonda Jacobsen of Messiah College and authors of "No Longer Invisible: Religion in University Education" (Oxford 2012) have spent the past three years studying the ways in which multiculturalism, postmodernism, and globalization are changing the place of religion and ethics in American higher education today. Beginning with a brief historical overview, this presentation will discuss the changing role(s) of religions and ethics in higher education, explain what is unique about the contemporary situation, and suggest opportunities for students and others to be involved in this emerging conversation. Sponsored by the Mead Swing Lectureship, ORSL, and the Dean of Students Office.

Friday, 11/16, 3:30-5:30 pm, Root Room

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to an educational and hunger relief meal-packaging event with the organization Stop Hunger Now. Stop Hunger Now seeks to end the tragedy of child starvation by sending nutritious meals to schools that request them in developing countries while working to develop communities and achieve food sustainability. This event will be combined with a food drive to benefit Oberlin Community Services. Donation and service registration information forthcoming. Sponsored by ORSL, the Interfaith Student Council, the Religious Pluralism ExCo, and the World Food Program. For more information contact adah.hetko@oberlin.edu or alyssa.phelps@oberlin.edu.

Sunday, 11/18, 7:30 pm, First Church in Oberlin (UCC)

A multifaith celebration with music, prayers, stories, meditation, and activities engaging the theme of gratitude and giving in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Freewill offering to benefit Stop Hunger Now and food drive to benefit Oberlin Community Services. Child care will be provided. Reception to follow. Sponsored by Oberlin Area Cooperating Ministries, ORSL, the Interfaith Student Council and the Religious Pluralism ExCo.

6/23-25, Nazareth College, Rochester, NY

The Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College, Rochester, NY and supporting institutional partners  are pleased to announce a conference on "Sacred Texts and Human Contexts: A Symposium on the Role of the Sacred Texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Uniting and Dividing Humanity." The conference is open to about 50 presenters in social sciences and religious studies and about 100 participants with deep interest in academic and interfaith dialogue. Conference website; Conference poster.