Monday, 12/3, 7:30 pm, Wilder 112

A conversation about our campus climate and how to build a more pluralistic community. Facilitated by the Oberlin College Dialogue Center. Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Interfaith Student Council, and the Religious Pluralism ExCo.

Wednesdays beginning 11/28, 12:15 pm, First Church in Oberlin (UCC)

Performers in the opening concert include: organists James David Christie (Professor of Organ, Oberlin), Don Verkuilen (Minister of Music at First Congregational Church, Elyria), harpist Kevin Layer (OC '12), soprano Marlene Rosen (Oberlin Professor of Voice), plus a string orchestra of Oberlin students and community members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday 12/5, 7:30-9:30 pm, Mudd

Sunday, 12/9, 2-4:30 pm, Wilder Hall

Members of the LGBTQ and religous communites will be writing non-denominational winter season cards to incarcerated LGBTQ people through the national program organization Black and Pink. All are welcome to write cards and brighten people's days. Queers and Allies of Faith (QuAF) is the primary sponsor, but we're working with basically all the queer and religious groups.

Thursday, 12/6, 12:30-1:30 pm, Wilder Hall 112

The Interfaith Student Council will host an open forum/conversation on sex, drugs, religions and spirituality in honor of Safer Sex Week. All are welcome. Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Interfaith Student Council.

Thursday, 12/6, 5:15 pm, AMAM Sculpture Court

A discussion on music, art and literature with Oberlin faculty Kathryn Montoya and Nicholas Jones and AMAM Director Andria Derstine, followed by a concert featuring Michael Leopold, lute and theorbo, and the Oberlin Recorder and Viol Consorts, directed by Kathryn Montoya. Reception to follow. Sponsored by the Allen Memorial Art Museum and the Historical Performance Department.

Thursday, 12/6, 7:30 pm, Wilder 101

Chris Stedman, former "born again" Christian, atheist, queer interfaith activist, and author of the new book Faithiest will speak about his journey and sign copies of his book. Sponsored by the Mead Swing Lectureship Committee and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Friday, 12/7, Peace Community Church (44 E Lorain St)

The event will feature a discussion led by the Inter-Religious Task Force of Cleveland (IRTF) on "fair" trade and what it means. This organization has a long and distinguished history working for justice and peace in Latin America. The IRTF, as well as members of the Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment (SEPA), will also bring items for sale that are fairly-traded and ethically-sourced gifts appropriate for holiday giving or any other occasion. The event will begin with supper at 5:30 p.m. Attenders are invited to bring some food to share with others if possible for the potluck supper. The presentation and discussion will be held from 6:45-7:45 p.m. All from the community and college are welcome to attend and participate in the forum. Parking is behind the church. Handicapped access is available. For more information, contact Rev. Mary Hammond, 774-3031.

Saturday, 12/8, 11:00 pm, Fairchild Chapel

The Newman Catholic Community invites everyone to its pre-Christmas Midnight Mass. Fairchild Chapel will be beautifully decorated for Christmas, and music of the season will be performed from 11 pm-midnight before Mass. A homemade cookie reception will follow. Sponsored by the Newman Catholic Community.

Sunday, 12/9, 2-3:30 pm, Asia House Shipherd Lounge

Come hear two different gong ensembles from Indonesia: gamelan, a large mostly percussion orchestra from Central Java, and talempong, a smaller gong and drum ensemble, from West Sumatra. We are the only campus in the U.S. where you can hear both in the same concert! Come check out processional and seated styles of talempong and a diverse gamelan program featuring lots of singing and a kid's piece called "Tukang Kayu" (carpenter). The event is free and open to the public. Kids are welcome. Faculty, staff, and community members should come to the North Side of Asia House to get into the building. We will have a student there who can let you in. Shipherd Lounge, Asia House, located just north of Fairchild chapel on Lorain street. Parking for visitors in the back.

Sunday, 12/9, 7:30 pm, Wilder Bowl

Featuring the Obertones. Grand menorah lighting, hot cocoa, latkes, coffee, doughnuts, dreidel, music. Sponsored by Oberlin Chabad Student Group.

Sunday, 12/9, 8 pm, Finney Chapel

175th Anniversary concert, featuring Mozart's Mass in C Minor.

12/10-14, 10 am-2 pm, Science Center; 12/15, 12-4 pm, First Church Fellowship  Hall

Take this opportunity to shop for gifts and intangibles that create jobs and services with local charitable organizations and global communities. Examples of participants are Oberlin Community Services, Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment, CATSS, and many others. Products from Uganda, Nicaragua, Guatemala and more will be sold, and include coffees, hot chocolate, snacks, handcrafted fabrics, jewelry, handbags, and much more! Hope to see you there, ready to have a bright holiday season and doing much to create the like for others. Sponsored by the President's Office and the Bonner Center for Service and Learning.

Thursday, 12/13, 7:30 pm, Oberlin UU Fellowship (355 E Lorain Street, east of IGA)

Come find sanctuary during the holiday season in readings, meditations, sharing, and music.  This darkest time of the year brings sadness, but also gifts. The Oberlin UU Fellowship will host this multifaith service, facilitated by Rev. Mary Grigolia and Barbara Fuchsman, sponsored by Oberlin Area Cooperating Ministries, Oberlin College Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Interfaith Student Council. Reception to follow.

Sunday, 12/16, 7 pm, Finney Chapel

Come sing along, or just listen to the favorite Messiah choruses, featuring soloists from Oberlin Conservatory. A freewill offering will benefit Family Promise of Lorain County. Call Credo (440-774-3658) for more information. Hosted by Credo and co-sponsored by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Monday, 12/17, 7 pm, First Church in Oberlin, 106 N. Main Street

Bring your family and friends this holiday season to enjoy the brilliant sounds of organ and brass, a sing-a-long beautiful handcrafted pottery mugs, and complimentary beverages. All proceeds go directly to the Oberlin Community Services. Mugs: $10; Admission: free 

A limited number of spaces remain within the annual delegation traveling to two Mayan communities in rural Guatemala, sponsored by Oberlin SEPA (Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment). The trip takes place January 3-26, 2013 and brings together Oberlin College winter term students and interested older adults from surrounding communities. The cost of $1,350 plus airfare includes simple accommodations, meals, and many planned activities. The delegation will have the opportunity to study Spanish in a one to one setting (the Mayan langauge Q'eqchi' will be offered for those who are fluent in Spanish), while also teaching English to elementary and middle school students. Other activities include local cooking demonstrations, learning about herbal medicine and midwifery, and special cultural activities offered by village hosts. Travel concludes with a stop at the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Guatemala City, and a meeting with organizations that are investigating cases of human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. The local nonprofit SEPA supports human rights work and educational opportunities for teachers and students in Santa Elena and Copal AA, two indigenous returned refugee villages in northwestern Guatemala.  For more information contact SEPA Board member John Gates 774-5484 or jfgates@oberlin.net.  

1/25 3-5 and 6:30-8 pm, 1/26 10 am-2 pm (lunch provided), First Church in Oberlin

The English translator of "Drawn to Freedom" Dr. William Rader will facilitate this discussion that will address the role of freedom in the Christian life and the divide between Christians who place different emphases on personal morality or social justice. In his translator's preface, Rader recognizes that while it might seem counterintuitive to use a catechism as a springboard to discuss freedom, he sees Busch's work as a way to answer the question, "Why are you called a Christian?" and is primarily interested in the relevance of the gospel for this "tangled world." Eberhard Busch is best known for his biography of Karl Barth. $10.00 registration fee; $15 for registration and "Drawn to Freedom"; $20 for registration, "Drawn to Freedom" and "The Heidelberg Catechism". RSVP by 1/15 to Jim Deitz ejdeitz@centurytel.net, 988-2714 or Linda Slocum lrslocum@gmail.com, 775-2482.