Members of our community come from many religious and spiritual traditions or none at all. There are many opportunities for religious expression and community at Susquehanna.
In addition to many student clubs and organizations, we have a weekly Christian worship service, an active Jewish community, Catholic Campus Ministries organization and a Muslim prayer room on the ground floor of the GO House. We have also added some new multi-faith and mindfulness spaces around campus.
What does religion and spirituality mean for you? Where and when do you experience community and belonging?
At Susquehanna, religion and spirituality are as diverse as the student body. We don’t shy away from this diversity. We embrace and celebrate it. We don’t shy away the challenges that can arise from our differences, either. Instead, seek understanding and cooperation across lines of difference. Our affiliation with the Lutheran church (ELCA) is lived out in a bold affirmation of the religious pluralism of the Susquehanna community.
My work as chaplain is grounded in the belief that each of us is called to use our gifts and talents-our lives-in service to others, particularly the most vulnerable among us. The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, to call. Discovering your calling means listening: to your own heart, to the wisdom of others and to the needs of the world.
Whatever path you find yourself on, as university chaplain, I will walk with you as you seek your calling and community in God’s beloved world.
Warm regards,
The Rev. Scott M. Kershner
Every Sunday at 11 a.m., we gather in Weber Chapel for a Christian worship service of scripture, preaching, reflection, prayer and Holy Communion.
The service is also live streamed every Sunday at 11 a.m. on the SU Religious and Spiritual Life Facebook page facebook.com/SUReligiousLife.
You can also listen on our SU radio station, WQSU.
Never been to church before? You are welcome here.
LGBTQA? You are welcome here.
Been going to church all your life? You are welcome here.
Not sure what you believe? You are welcome here.
Looking for a non-judgmental community of support and belonging? You are welcome here.
Looking for people who want to learn what it means to love your neighbor as yourself, but don’t pretend to have all the answers? You are welcome here.
We hope you get the picture: You are welcome here!
Student leadership interns work with the chaplain to plan and lead worship, plan retreats and service opportunities and advocate for social and environmental justice.
Leadership Intern for Worship
Grace Winakor ’21 | Portland, Conn. | Religious Studies
Grace assists in the planning and leadership in the Sunday chapel services and also plans and leads Kairos and devotional service on Tuesday nights in Horn Meditation Chapel.
Leadership Intern for Service
Sydney Mastropasqua ’23 | Paramus, N.J. | Psychology
As leadership intern for service, Sydney’s main duty is to plan and execute large service events throughout the year.
Leadership Intern for Spiritual Nurture
Kayla Bush ’22 | Lancaster, Pa. | Creative Writing; English – Publishing & Editing
Kayla will plan and organize the spring religious and spiritual life Lenten Devotional.
Leadership Intern for Social & Environmental Justice
Joseph Martin ’21 | Milton, Pa. | Music Performance – Vocal
Joseph organizes programs and activities for environmental and social justice on campus and around the world. One of his main responsibilities is planning the annual Fair Trade Festival held in the fall.
Leadership Intern for Communication & Outreach
Jonathan Moser ’22 | McEwensville, Pa. | Music – Keyboard
Jonathan assists with the communication side of the ministry of the chaplain’s office, maintaining the social media presence and helping publicize events and activities.
Student Assistant for Chapel Music
Grady Daub ’24 | Denver, Pa. | Music; English
Grady’s duties include accompanying the chapel choir, providing music for services on Sunday, and arranging and coordinating service music and special chapel events.
Student Assistant to the HandBell Choir
Brian Sevison ’21 | Catawissa, Pa. | Music Education – Vocal
As director, Brian leads the HandBell Choir when they perform during chapel service and other special events on campus.
Jewish Life Engagement Associates
Student engagement leaders are designed to dramatically enhance Jewish life on campus. Each assistant is charged with building relationships with uninvolved Jewish students on campus.
Lily Soares ’23, Huntingdon, N.Y.
Music; Accounting
Robert Ness ’23, Cochranville, Pa.
Strategic Communications – Public Relations; Political Science
Samantha Koitz ’22, Rockville, Md.
Communication Arts – Comm Studies; International Studies – Diplomacy
Jewish Life Hagshama Leadership
Samantha Koitz ’22, President
Rockville, Md.
Communication Arts – Comm Studies; International Studies – Diplomacy
Molly Young ’23 – Vice President
Camp Hill, Pa.
Music Composition
We also offer an Interfaith Fellowship Program every semester:
A semester long leadership development program about being an effective, confident and knowledgeable leader in a religiously diverse society.
Susquehanna University provides this list of holidays to help faculty, staff and students better understand the diversity of observances by students. Please note that individual practices may vary.
Use the list for planning co-curricular activities, being mindful of observances or learning more about the rich religious and cultural diversity that exists at Susquehanna.
If a student anticipates a religious/spiritual observance may conflict with academic obligations such as attending class, taking examinations or submitting assignments, work directly with your professor to make reasonable arrangements. Should you require additional support or guidance, reach out to the Religious and Spiritual Life Office or SU Jewish Life.
This calendar is not an exhaustive list of religious traditions, cultural heritage holidays or all days observed by Susquehanna. If you would like to recommend a religious tradition or holiday of significance be added or offer a correction, contact the Religious and Spiritual Life Office for consideration.
Wicca/Paganism recognize the Autumnal equinox and the second harvest festival, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark, the arrival of Autumn, and thanksgiving for the Earth’s bounty. Begins at sundown.
(Or Day of Atonement.) The conclusion of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness. Begins at sundown on September 24 and ends at sundown on September 25.
Note: date changes every year
Students may have religious obligations or may be fasting.
Also known as Feast of Booths. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert wanderings and constructed in the fields during the harvest season. It is a time of thanksgiving for God’s presence in creation and among the Jewish people. Begins at sundown on September 29 and ends at sundown on October 6.
Note: date changes every year
Students may have religious obligations – first evening and first two days and last two days.
A holiday in the United States, first formally recognized by President Joe Biden in 2021 after decades of being celebrated by states and municipalities, honoring the traditions and resilience of Native American peoples.
Note: second Monday of October
Commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation of Christianity with Martin Luther’s challenge to the Roman church in the 1517, in which tradition says he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenburg, Germany proposing a debate about reform of church practices.
In Wicca/Paganism, the New Year and the final harvest festival, celebrating the last gifts of the Earth before winter and the return of the spirits of the dead.
Christian celebration of the lives of all the saints, especially those not having a special day dedicated to their commemoration.
Celebrated by both Hindus and Jains. For Hindus, also known as the Festival of Lights, it is dedicated to the goddess Kali in Bengal and to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, in the rest of India. As with several other festivals, Diwali is associated with one of the stories about the destruction of evil by Vishnu in one of his many manifestations. For Jains, the Festival of Lamps celebrates the attainment of Moksa by Lord Mahavira. A burning lamp symbolizes the “light of knowledge,” which dispels the darkness of delusion and ignorance.
Note: date changes every year
Students may have to travel home to celebrate with family.
Period of four weeks in which Christians prepare for Christmas and meditate on the end of all time. In Western churches, the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year.
Note: date changes every year
The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews’ victory over occupying forces in 165 BCE, which re-established for a time their religious and political freedom. Begins at sundown on December 7 and ends at sundown on December 15.
Note: date changes every year
University Closed for Winter Break
In Wicca/Paganism, Yule or Winter Solstice, celebrating the longest night and the blessings of darkness as well as the rebirth of the sun god. Begins at sundown.
University Closed for Winter Break
Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus.
University Closed for Winter Break
An annual celebration of African American culture and based on the Seven Principles of Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
University Closed for Winter Break
Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Orthodox Christian holidays are celebrated about two weeks later than Roman Catholic and Protestant holidays because of their use of the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar in the West.
Students may have to travel home to celebrate with family.
Celebrated in East and Southeast Asia, marking the beginning of the new year based on the lunisolar calendar.
Note: date changes every year
Some students travel home to celebrate with family.
A special day of repentance observed by Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance, and self-denial preceding Easter. The name derives from the practice of marking of the faithful with ashes to signify penitence.
Note: date changes every year
Some students don ashes on their forehead.
The Holy Month of Ramadan is the month of fasting during which Muslims who are physically able do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. The evening meal is celebrated with family. Begins at sundown on March 10 and ends at sundown on April 9.
Note: date changes every year
It is traditional to fast from sunrise to sunset. Sensitivity to the needs of fasting students is appropriate.
In Wicca/Paganism, the Spring or Vernal Equinox, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark and the arrival of Spring.
Celebrates Jewish tenacity and survival through the reading of the Book of Esther. This political farce uses a story about Jews in ancient Persia using subterfuge and faith to overturn a plot to destroy them. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing of costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor, and socializing. Begins at sundown on March 23 and ends at sundown on March 24.
Note: date changes every year
Students may have religious obligations the first evening and morning.
A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration.
Note: date changes every year
Students may have to travel home to celebrate with family.
Christian commemoration of the institution of the Lord’s Supper/the Eucharist by Jesus prior to his arrest and execution. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin text of John 13:34, in which Jesus gives a mandatum novum (“new commandment”).
Note: date changes every year
Christian commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his death by crucifixion.
Note: date changes every year
Some students attend religious services during the day.
Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost.
Note: date changes every year
Also known as the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. One of the two main Islamic festivals (the other is Eid al-Adha), this day celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It comes on the first day of the next lunar month, Shawal. Begins at sundown on April 9 and ends at sundown on April 10.
Note: date changes every year
Some students travel home to celebrate with family.
Baisakhi, also spelled Vaisakhi, one of the most important festivals for the Sikh religion, is an ancient spring harvest festival. Sikhs mark the occasion by going to Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, for a service, involving singing, bhangra dancing and Sikh martial arts called gatka.
Some students travel home to celebrate with family.
Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that re-enacts that ancient deliverance and emphasizes the freedom of the Jews under the guidance of God. Begins at sundown on April 22 and ends at sundown on April 30.
Note: date changes every year
Students may have religious obligations the first evening and the first two days and the last two days.
Memorializes the six million Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and emphasizes respect for human dignity. Its observance is not limited to Jews. Begins at sundown on May 4 and ends at sundown on May 5.
Note: date changes every year
Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Orthodox Christian holidays are celebrated about two weeks later than Roman Catholic and Protestant holidays because of their use of the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar in the West.
Note: date changes every year
Provides educational, cultural and social involvement opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity.
Encourages Christians on campus through weekly on-campus worship services, Bible studies and other fellowship activities.
Encourages passionate Christian faith through worship, fellowship and service opportunities.
An organization for students who are interested in going into professional Christian ministry.
Students with diverse religious and non-religious perspectives bring people together to work for a better world for all.
An organization devoted to helping students learn about and grow in their Roman Catholic faith.
A national, ecumenical ministry that builds houses in partnership with God’s people in need.
A non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to local high school students by building relationships through meetings and events.
Become a leader for the church by training in Bible study, gospel-driven discipleship and evangelism.
The Lamentations Gospel Choir performs during select Sunday worship services as well as around campus during other minor and major events. Past events include the Annual Christmas Candlelight Service, MLK Interfaith Service and Baccalaureate.
The handbell choir performs during select Sunday worship services as well as during some of the larger events on campus, such as the Annual Christmas Candlelight Service.
By studying God’s word, students aim to build their relationship with the Lord while applying their faith to their lives as athletes.
Carla Krissinger, Administrative Assistant
570-372-4303
krissinger@susqu.edu
Chaplain Scott Kershner
570-372-4220
kershner@susqu.edu