Hello Gathering Space Community,
Here in The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being, we are preparing for a busy Spring Holiday Season. Within the next 4-6 weeks, students and student organizations on our campus will be celebrating a large variety of religious holidays, including (but not limited to) Passover, Ramadan Easter, and Holi. As we approach this time of feasting, fasting, and holidays with deep significance for many in our community, this (rather long) email shares the ways that The Gathering Space is working to help host, work with, and celebrate students as they live into their spiritual and religious identities.
1) Gathering Space Hours will be adjusted during this Spring Holiday Season to accommodate student needs. During these increased hours, students will have access to CWB 103 (The Gathering Space), CWB 101, CWB 109, and the Lounge in the CWB. Here are the hours from Sunday, March 26th through Saturday, April 22. During this time, please do your best to share space, help clean after celebrations, and engage each other with generous questions and listening.
| Space Hours | |
| Sunday, Mar 10th: 12:00pm to Friday, Mar 15, 11:59pm | |
| CWB is open 24 Hours | |
| *Space Closed for Spring Break (March 16-23) | |
| Sunday, Mar 25th: 12:00pm to Thurs, Apr 11, 10:00pm | |
| CWB is open 24 Hours |
*Regular M-F, 8:00am-10:00pm & Su, 12:00pm-10:00pm hours will resume on Friday, April 12.
2) Upcoming Holiday Celebrations & Ways to Connect
*Please Note: more information about Easter & Passover/Pesach will be coming in a later email as these holidays approach (and more details get worked out!).
A) Ramadan
Ramadan begins today, Sunday, March 10th and will end Thursday, April 11th. To meet the needs of students breaking their fast and evening taraweeh prayers, CWB 103 (The Gathering Space) will be open during the times below. Campus Dining Services has made increased halal and suhoor food options available. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Food will also be available for suhoor in the kitchenette in The Gathering Space: Please reserve this food for community members wishing to eat before fasting.
| Gathering Space Open for Ramadan Usage | |
| Sunday: 7:30pm onwards | |
Monday: 10:00pm onwards | |
| Tuesday: 7:00pm onwards | |
| Wednesday: 7:30pm onwards | |
| Thursday: 7:00pm onwards | |
| Friday: 7:00pm onwards | |
| Saturday: 7:00pm onwards | |
i) For more information about iftars, events, please check out information and events posted on Instagram and/or MyUMBC hosted by the Muslim Student Association, Ahlul-Bayt Student Association, or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association for Women.
ii) Taraweeh on Campus in The Gathering Space after Isha each night
iii) Open Iftar on Monday, May 25th @ 7:00pm in the Skylight Room
B) Holi
Holi will take place on Monday, March 25th, but is being celebrated on campus by the Hindu Students Council on Saturday, Mar 30th on Erickson Field at 1:00pm. From HSC's advertisement: Join UMBC HSC in celebrating Holi - the festival of colors. There will be free food, colors, and music! The event is open to everyone, we hope to see you there!" Check out HSC's instagram for more information!
C) Passover/Pesach
Passover takes place from sundown on Saturday, April 20th to sundown on Tuesday, April 30th. If you are interested in participating with one of our Jewish Religious and Belief organizations on campus, please follow in the links below. Additionally, Campus Dining Services has made Kosher for Passover Food available (a flyer will soon be posted and shared with this information). Food will also be available in The Gathering Space: Please see a student staff member (at the front desk) to pick up one of these meals--More Details to be Communicated Soon!.
i) Hillel Events (Flyers Are Posted Below with More Details)
*Check Out Instagram for Detailed Events (@umbchillel)
ii) Chabad Events (Flyers is Posted Below with More Details)
*M, Apr 22nd (7:30) & T, Apr 23rd (7:45); Register at chabadcatonsville.com
*Check Out Instagram for Detailed Events (@jewishumbc)
D) Easter & Holy Week
Easter will take place on Sunday, March 31st this year for many US Catholics and Protestant Christians, while Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5th. Holy Week is the week preceding Easter, beginning on Sunday, March 24th with Palm Sunday.
i) Catholic Retrievers: Check Out the Full Calendar of Events Attached Below or Instagram (@umbc_catholics)
ii) International Students Connect: 6:30pm Event hosted at Salem Lutheran Church; Students interested in participating should sign up using this form
iii) Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry; Sunday morning worship with Holy Apostles/St. Stephen; Worship at 10:30am; Need a ride? Contact Pastor Kelsey by Friday afternoon to set up: pastorkelsey@thetablebaltimore.org or 631-624-0102
iv) Check out other Christian Orgs on MyUMBC (MyUMBC Religion & Belief Orgs)
3) Shared Events/Open Invitation (MARK THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR!)
Though many events during this holiday season are open to UMBC community members, two events are specifically aimed at bringing students, staff, and faculty together to learn, share food, and celebrate these Spring Holidays. Centering the values of Radial Love & Belonging and Energetic Pluralism that underlie the community that we are building in the Gathering Space, you are invited to:
I) Open Iftar in the Commons Skylight Room on Monday, March 25th @7:00pm; Come join UMBC's Muslim students by breaking the fast together! (Co-sponsored by i3b)
II) Join HSC for Holi on Saturday, March 30th from 1:00-6:00pm on Erickson Field! (with support by The Gathering Space)
4) Lastly, keep your eyes tuned to i3b's Instagram Account (@umbci3b) and our MyUMBC page for a series showcasing how students at UMBC are engaging with these Spring Holidays called "This is How I [Holiday]."
May this sacred time bring moments of rejuvenation, rebirth, charity, connection and hope as we welcome warmer weather, learn from one another, and embrace the energy of our shared, interfaith community.
See you around The Gathering Space!
-Matt Hoffman