Spiritual and Religious Life

Support can be tangible or intangible, physical and virtual.  We've listed below for some of the tangible and virtual places where we are intentionally supporting the campus.  Lawrence campus partners are brainstorming new ideas every day where we can all innovate, not isolate while we are apart, not alone. 

All meeting times listed are in Lawrence Main Campus time (CST) unless otherwise noted. 

Visiting the Student Life Instagram will help keep you connected to campus encouragements from a variety of departments that support you while you're not in class.  Visit the page as part of your daily routine. 

Spaces for spiritual reflection and observance on campus may be designated in alternate locations, but we encourage you to make a special place in your room, home or building where you can practice that which is spiritually or religiously important to you.  

Loss Group Thursdays 7 PM, weeks four through six   The loss group meets to discuss the loss of experience and valued items; for example, the loss of graduation or the loss of off campus study. Bring your experience, thoughts and feelings and join us via zoom. To join: email Terra Winston. 

Grief Group will be offered each term during weeks four through six, on Tuesdays at 11:30.  These will be open to all students and will likely meet remotely.  Spiritual and Religious Life has several resources for personal development and wellness that can be offered to students that offer grounding and reflection practices.

Meditation will happen in virtual and in-person formats, with physical distancing in place. Join student leaders in the Sabin House Living Room or the grassy space to the east of our building.  Read more...

Taking time at Sabin House

• The building won't be open to the public, please bring your ID to access Sabin House.
• If you have an appointment, please plan to bring your own mask. Campus rules will apply.
• The second floor of Sabin House is offline except to the employees with offices in the building
• Private one on one meetings with the Dean and Associate Dean will be held in virtual or physically distanced spaces with masks in place. The Meditation room has been designated for the specific purpose of confidential meetings.
• Since confidential meetings will be held in the Meditation room, that space will be offline for meditation.  
• Please leave the furniture in place as it is. Items have been placed to encourage physical distancing. 
• Reservations for space within Sabin House will be restricted to the Living Room and the Community Room.
• The Sabin House kitchen will be offline for cooking. The refrigerator and the stove will not be accessible to students. Guests may use the sinks in the kitchen and first floor bathroom to wash hands if necessary. 
• Guests of Sabin House may remain in their shoes if they desire. We will continue to encourage shoe removal to assist our maintenance workers and preserve the space, but the request for 'no shoes' provides first and always for personal choice.
• Please refer to the occupancy limits of each room, all of which will be posted on the walls

As we ready ourselves for the Fall term, Lawrence is making every effort to spiritually support the students and staff of our community in an ever changing environment.  The employees will continue to be available for program support. The Dean/Chaplain and Associate Dean are available for counseling and guidance even if you are off campus.  For those planning to be on campus, we will continue to attempt to provide safe and brave spaces for spiritual reflection and observance. Please email us for assistance in establishing the best method of communication for support. 

The Food Pantry Now available at Raymond House as a temporary location. 
While at Raymond House, during weeks one and two, the hours will be Monday-Friday (9-5).
Begin Sept 29th at Sabin House: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8a-9p. 

The Food pantry will be closed a few days in week two to pack and move it, so contact Raymond House (x6596) or Sabin House (x7167) for the schedule during that week.  Donations should not be left at Sabin House as our building will not be open to campus users until September 28th. Sabin House will be staffed Mondays-Wednesdays if you're unable to get your donation to Raymond House. 

It's true, this office does try to connect the students staff and faculty with the spiritual practices that most suit them.  By direct communication, notification of programs or events, campus and building signs, and personal communication through the Interfaith Activators we actively encourage awareness of spiritual opportunities on campus.  The knowledge that many Lawrentians view religion and spirituality as an extension of their work and study creates direct and indirect connections which provides balance in the classroom, lab, rehearsal room, and dorm room. 

Part of the connection we strive for is derived from basic knowledge of who our students are, and how their spirituality manifests.  To accurately access who we communicate with, our internal systems require each student to maintain their own spiritual information.  While much of this information is collected at the time of admission, we know that growth happens and change can occur.  Students who wish to acknowledge or update their spiritual affiliation in Voyager, are welcome to do so at any time.  Within Voyager, select Personal Information / How to Change Personal Information / Religious Affiliation.  A dropdown menu will be presented for you to select from one of the 40+ options offered.  Information is private, confidential and never shared.  

Students can help themselves, and help the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life connect them to the services and outreach that best suit their path.