Every single one of us can be taught by the Power which brought the universe into being, and which also dwells within each one of us. That essential principle of the Religious Society of Friends is the foundation for Wilmington College's educational mission.
T. Canby Jones, professor emeritus of religion and philosophy, once wrote these words about the religious understanding which is the foundation for Wilmington's Quaker character:
The Quaker conviction that something of God is found in everyone is the source of the Quaker concern to teach. Every student is a teacher and every teacher a student because each hungers to be taught by the voice of Truth speaking through the other. We expect to be taught by a Teacher greater than ourselves who may well speak through anyone present. Isaiah 30:19-21 expresses it powerfully:
Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
So religious concern and spiritual formation at Wilmington College occur all across campus, not only in the programs sponsored by the Campus Minister's Office. Religious concern and spiritual formation are at work whenever students increase their moral engagement with the world, at work in the curriculum's emphasis on global understanding, at work when the education department teaches conflict resolution skills to new teachers. Religious concern and spiritual formation occur in the thousands of hours of community service for which Wilmington students volunteer every year, and in the many active programs of the Center for Service and Civic Engagement. Religious concern underlies the exhibits and programs of the Peace Resource Center and the Quaker Heritage Center, as well as the annual Westheimer Peace Symposium. Religious concern is the basis for the College's long commitment to adult learning, and for its programs within Ohio's correctional system. In all these ways, Wilmington College continues to be a witness to the presence of the Inward Teacher, and the Teacher's work in the world.
From this foundation it follows that education for any vocation or occupation is strengthened when communication between student and Inward Teacher is strengthened. The practical work of strengthening this connection occurs through programs and groups associated with the campus minister's office.
Located in the Thomas R. Kelly Religious Center, the Campus Minister initiates religious programs on campus, coordinates mid-week College Worship, and works to coordinate and equip the many formal and informal groups for spiritual encouragement and nurture which are organized by Wilmington students and staff.
Faith at Wilmington College
| Contact info: |
| Dan Kasztelan, Campus Minister (937)382-6661, ext. 239 or (800)341-9318, ext. 239 |
| E-mail me |