Winter Solstice Luncheon: Tufts Chaplain Bristol, "Campus Humanism/Spirituality"

We'll celebrate the recent Solstice, and coming of our Western Calendar New Year, 2020, by having our traditional GBH Winter Secular Solstice Luncheon in association with other secular groups in the area. We'll share in another Indian buffet meal at the India Pavilion in Central Square Cambridge, on SATURDAY January 11, with a snow cancellation date of Sunday at the same time (any change will be posted here).

Our speaker is Tufts Humanist Chaplain Walker Bristol. Walker's topic is "Humanism and Spirituality on College Campuses Today."

At least one third of Generation Z would consider themselves to be nonreligious. They are already finding their own secular ways of making meaning of the world: social activism, storytelling through social networks, and art rooted in their lived experiences. As this generation grows up, what are they looking for in religious and spiritual life programs at universities, and how are Humanist Chaplaincies trying to meet that need?

Walker will also share a bit of their experience building the program at Tufts and thinking collaboratively with young people about what campus programs should like today. They'll also discuss the intersections of gender identity and Humanist life.

Walker Bristol directs the Tufts Humanist Chaplaincy and curates programming for Tufts’ atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, and otherwise non-religious community members. Walker also coordinates chaplaincy resources at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton. In addition to Walker’s work in the Chaplaincy, they are currently serving as a confidential resource for the Tufts Center for Awareness, Education, and Resources.

Walker has been published in the Huffington Post, The Humanist magazine, Mic.com, and the interfaith engagement blog NonProphet Status. They previously coordinated service programming with the Humanist Community at Harvard for six years, in particular a series of successful meal packing events supporting food insecure families in the Greater Boston area. In addition to work at Tufts, Walker serves as a per diem staff chaplain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. They are a community educator and certified Rape Crisis Counselor with the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

The India Pavillion in Central Square Cambridge (vegetarian options, only $14 per person for all you care to eat, not including drinks; bring cash or check, please). Parking in Cambridge is metered on Saturdays though there are some non-metered spots, and there are several garages and lots in Central Square including several just steps away on Green Street. MBTA red line Central Square station and associated bus stops are also within the block.

RSVP here, or via Facebook, or by responding to your email list email, but NOT all three, please, so we can give the restaurant a good sense of our size. Thanks!

---stay tuned at bostonhumanists.org for other secular community holiday season activities!---