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Chaplain's Office. Records , 1952

 Series
Identifier: RG06-06-01

Scope and Contents

The collection contains two series. One for the Chaplain's Office (RG 6/6.1) and one for the Lilly Program for the Theological Exploration of Vocation (RG 6/6.2). The Chaplain's office records include chapel logs from 1952-1955, admnistrative files on programs sponsored by the Chaplains' office, printed material relating to programs, weekly calendars amd minutes of the Ecumenical Council, minutes of the Chapel Committee and files on Religion at Davidson. The files on Religion at Davidson were compiled by Sara Carlson '93 during the research for her article Faith and Reason" A Shifting Balance," Davidson Journal, Summer 1995. The files include articles, copies of speeches, interview notes, survey responses from campus religious groups, and a printout of analyses of a campus-wide survey on religion at Davidson. The materials were given to the Chaplain's Office after the article was printed. The interview notes and surveys of religious organizations are restricted until 2070, although access to some of the data may be possible with the permission of the archivist. Related files include a student publication RG 10/2.11 - Availing, the Pre-Ministerial Committee records RG 3/ 1.2.076, and a set of photographs from a service project in Cantor, NC (24-0039b). See also Artifacts A-294 (Orientation team caps) and A-529 (Labyrinth T-shirt)"

Dates

  • Creation: 1952

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Some files closed until 2070, limited access available with permission of archivist [Box 4]

Biographical / Historical

The position of College Chaplain grew out of the YMCA program. In 1951, the replacement for the YMCA secretary was given the title "Chaplain." The title reverted back to Y Secretary and was changed again in 1956 to "Minister to Students." The job was expanded to include conducting chapel and vespers services as well as directing Y activities. In 1993, the remaining YMCA program was renamed Reach Out and operates as a student service organization. The College Chaplain continues to work with two student groups: the Chapel Committee and the Ecumenical Council. The Chapel Committee is responsible for planning weekly worship services, hosting discussion dinners, sponsoring the Staley Lecture series, sponsoring service projects,and assisting with move-in during Orientation. The Ecumenical Council is comprised of representatives from all Christian student organizations and its purpose is to exchange information, encourage fellowship, and to organize ecumenical worship services on holy days. In addition, the College Chaplain is responsible for overseeing Stapleton-Davidson and Staley internships, Martin Scholarship and Williams Challenge Scholarhips, organizing student and faculty-staff retreats; leading the spirituality discussion groups; conducting special worship services (Parent's Weekend, Christmas Vespers, Martin Luther King Day [Dean of Students Office took over in 1997], Ash Wednesday, etc.) as well as events celebrating non-Christian holy days (Jewish, Muslim); working with the Preministerial Committee; counseling students, crisis intervention and making hospital visits, speaking to campus groups; and serving on campus committees. The Chaplain also serves as college liaison for campus ministries sponsored by area churches and for visiting seminary, divinity school, and volunteer service corps representatives. There is also an Assistant Chaplain. The duties of the Assistant Chaplain are divided between chaplaincy matters (25%) and Love of Learning (RG 3/8).

Extent

14.00 boxes_oversize_digital (14 boxes + oversize + digital)

Language

English

Physical Location

B1.7

B1.6

A9.1

A10.1

A10.2

A10.5

Vault

D1.9

Mapstand D-1

Mapstand D-2

Photofile B-3

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2007-83|2005-108|2007-89

Related Materials

Dean of Students' Office

Repository Details

Part of the College Archives Repository