Monday, 3/11, 7:30 pm, Mindfair Books (13 W College St)

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and "boot camp" is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don't need to be a Buddhist to find this book motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, "Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."

Friday, 3/15, Supper: 5:30 pm, Panel: 6:45 pm, Peace Community Church 

"Suicide Prevention: Stories, Strength, and Communities"

The presentation will feature three speakers: Eric Estes, Dean of Students at Oberlin College; Elizabeth Biddulph, Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Lorain County Veterans Association; and Karen Matesick, President of the Board of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill in Lorain County. There will be time for responses, discussion, questions, and sharing after the panelists speak. While the program runs from 6:45-7:45 p.m., those who wish to share personal stories and discuss ways of moving forward are invited to stay after the event ends for some further discussion. Members of the Oberlin College Counseling Center will be available to talk. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate. Parking and handicapped access are available behind the church. For more information, contact Rev. Mary Hammond, 774-3031.

Tuesday, 3/19, 7:30 pm, West Lecture Hall

Alison is the founder and Executive Director of Active Minds, Inc., the leading national organization that uses students as the driving force to change the perception about mental health on college campuses.  Alison formed the organization following the suicide of her only sibling, twenty-two year old brother Brian Malmon. Wanting to combat the stigma that had caused her brother to suffer in silence and ultimately take his own life, she created a group on her campus at the University of Pennsylvania that promoted an open, enlightened dialogue around the issues. Just after graduating Phi Beta Kappa with honors in Psychology and Sociology in 2003, Alison formed the 501(c)3 organization in order to develop and support chapters of the student group on campuses around the country. From that moment forward, she has served as Executive Director of the non-profit, leading the organization as it engages thousands of student leaders nationwide and promotes a unified national voice for young adults in the mental health awareness movement. In addition to her work at Active Minds, Alison sits on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee, Bringing Theory to Practice Project Planning Committee, and Students of AMF Board of Directors. Sponsored by Active Minds.

Wednesday, 3/20, 8 pm, Tappan Square Bandstand

In advance of the Supreme Court's deliberations regarding Proposition 8 and DOMA, join student organizations and local congregations in prayer and witnessing for the right to marry to be extended to all couples. Sponsored by Peace Community Church, the First Church in Oberlin (UCC), Christ Episcopal Church, Oberlin First United Methodist Church, Queers and Allies of Faith, and ORSL.

Tuesday, 4/2 Muslim Relationships: Gender in Muslim Traditions

Thursday, 4/4 Muslim Relationships: Gender in Muslim Traditions 2

Monday, 4/8 Muslim Women between Private and Public Space

Tuesday, 4/9 Feminine Power and Disempowerment through Muslim History

Wednesday, 4/10 Constructing and Deconstructing the Muslim Woman: Muslim Women and the Western discourse

Saturday, 4/6, 10 am-2 pm, Case Western Reserve University

Come join in this first campus interfaith leadership regional conference to share ideas and experiences and build relationships with those doing campus interfaith engagement work in our region. Students, faculty and staff are welcome, and participants can present a workshop. Transportation from Oberlin will be provided by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (leaving at 9 am and returning at 3 pm from the Multifaith Center, 68 S Professor Street). To register contact greg.mcgonigle@oberlin.edu. Sponsored by Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and Oberlin College.

Sunday, 4/7, 1-6 pm, Starting at the Multifaith Center

Students of all faiths and philosophies are invited to join in reflective community service in Oberlin and interfaith dialogue. Come join us for the Spring Interfaith Service Day, a campus and community-wide spring service event! The goal is to engage Oberlin students from a variety of perspectives in service projects and interfaith reflection. This event welcomes people of all religious and nonreligious identities! The afternoon of service will include nonreligious work at faith-based and secular service sites. Sign-in will take place at the Multifaith Center 68 South Professor Street), at 1pm, and the service will be followed by an interfaith reflection and celebration dinner. The purpose of interfaith service-learning is to work towards common goals while intentionally engaging with diverse perspectives. Please invite your friends to sign-up, too! Please register here: https://docs.google.com/a/oberlin.edu/forms/d/168ChTPt90lvKIMvMXa5stkLnCApF1xqhLybhRm-bzCA/viewform For more information, contact: Adah.Hetko@oberlin.edu or Alyssa.Phelps@oberlin.edu. Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Bonner Center for Service and Learning, and the Interfaith Student Council.

Monday, 4/8

Poetry Reading: Noon, King 106

Festival: 4:30-6 pm, Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse

Sponsored by the Friendship Initiative and the Friendship Circle.

Thursday, 4/25, 7:30 pm, West Lecture Hall

Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Oberlin Christian Fellowship.

Sunday, 5/26, 1:30 pm, Finney Chapel

Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Commencement Reunion Weekend Committee.