When feeling hopeless don’t be discouraged. On campus we have a Multifaith Ministry Office, and people of every religion and spirituality are welcomed to stop in.
Larry Lindstrom, the head of the campus ministry office, runs the office with the help of his team members. Lindstrom was previously a head pastor for 31 years. Lindstrom decided it was time for a change of scenery and ended up at Sinclair Community College approximately three years ago.
After the previous Catholic minister retired Lindstrom took over and runs the office part time at the moment. Lindstrom’s office supplies the campus with services such as Pastoral Care and Guidance to students and faculty, as well as educational programs.
“We like to engage students and faculty in conversations” Lindstrom says.
The conversations often try to open people’s perspectives to the different kinds of traditions. The purpose of them is to help people get a wide range of knowledge, and to help break down the barriers ignorance creates.
The multifaith ministry office does not just extend their services to those at Sinclair’s main Dayton campus. Once every semester Lindstrom visits the other campuses Sinclair has, such as Mason and Huber Heights.
When you enter the multifaith ministry office, you will notice there are beads that look like necklaces hanging from the ceiling and resting on a table. The beads were the idea of Jane Steinhauser about 15 years ago.
“The beads are a physical reminder of the blessings you receive on a daily bases, and are a lovely to hang over your desktop or simply on a desk.” Lindstrom says. So far the office have let go of over a thousand.
The ministry office has two brand new programs this semester. The first is called “Life After Loss.” It isn’t exactly what it sounds like though, they do deal with issues regarding losing someone close to you physically.
It’s a weekly gathering that also deals with the grief of losing a job, or a friendship and simply dealing with changing circumstances.
They will meet every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Tartan Marketplace. Lindstrom and his colleague Emily Hudson, who is a counselor, will be leading the group.
The group will start together as men and women but if participants would rather seperate that is an option as well. Lindstrom and Hudson will start by recognizing the grief of the congregation, and try to offer advice to help get everyone on their journey to healing.
Lindstrom says “Grief is like a bag, if you carry it around it gets heavy. If you try and empty some of it you can put it side and travel lighter.”
That is what “Life After Loss” is all about, trying to help people who are struggling to empty their bags and travel lighter.
Lindstrom hopes by meeting consistently and talking people will get the help they deserve. They also hope everyone who shows up can help each other by offering their own words of advice and mentor each other. Spreading different point of views will be a key point of “Life After Loss.”
The second project is called “Spiritual Check-In’s.” This program invites everyone to share in a weekly “spiritual check-up” on Thursdays at noon in the Tartan Marketplace. Lindstrom will hold an hour long session speaking about the spirituality of life.
“Spiritual Check-In’s” is an all inclusive project. It doesn’t necessarily have to be religious but can also be a talk about spirituality, personal life and struggles. The main goal is to “help mentor people as they are growing through different stages of life.” Lindstrom says.
There is a different topic question each week that elicits thought from the participants. Lindstrom will be there to help and answer questions or give advice that people are seeking, but for the most part he hopes “they will take the ball and run with it.”
“Ultimately the participants will be coming to their own conclusions but hopefully we can guide them in the best direction, for that individual person,” Lindstrom said.
Spiritual Check-In’s is all about getting a conversation started much like “Life After Loss.” Lindstrom and his team are trying to push tolerance, by shining the light of knowledge into the darkness of ignorance.
Haley Edwards
Reporter