I found it fitting that for Candler's first Community Conversation in our new LEED certified building included no disposable cups for the lunch! Just re-usable water bottles (pictured above). Yea Candler for our greening efforts!
Candler hosts regular Community Conversations gatherings throughout every semester. These Conversations are opportunities for the entire Candler community of staff, faculty, and students to come together for a meal and a conversation on topics of interest to Candler. This month's topic was about Candler's Shared Values. Dean of Students Cindy Meyer introduced the conversation, and we heard from Kim Jackson, pictured above, president of the Candler Coordinating Council (C3). C3 is Candler's student government. Also speaking were Dean of Worship Barbara Day Miller, Dean of Academic Affairs Gail O'Day, and Jan Love, Dean of Candler.
Candler hosts regular Community Conversations gatherings throughout every semester. These Conversations are opportunities for the entire Candler community of staff, faculty, and students to come together for a meal and a conversation on topics of interest to Candler. This month's topic was about Candler's Shared Values. Dean of Students Cindy Meyer introduced the conversation, and we heard from Kim Jackson, pictured above, president of the Candler Coordinating Council (C3). C3 is Candler's student government. Also speaking were Dean of Worship Barbara Day Miller, Dean of Academic Affairs Gail O'Day, and Jan Love, Dean of Candler.
Kim highlighted the shared value that Candler holds regarding "celebrating diversity." The Admissions Office and the administration is in charge of getting diversity, she said, but it is really the students whose job it is to celebrate the diversity. Kim challenged her fellow students "to truly encounter the depth and richness and diversity that's here at Candler:" by engaging outside of one's comfort zone, by intentionally being with people we don't know and who may not look or think like us.
Dean Love, pictured right, wrapped up the session, touching on Candler values she felt were especially pertinent in today's world. She mentioned how Candler, Emory, and Atlanta are places where we as Christians can practice hospitality among an interfaith community. Candler's a great place, said Dean Love, to practice and learn "how to be bearers of the Gospel in the midst of our interfaith neighbors." Again, this might not always be the easy or comfortable way. And yet it is the way of the Gospel.
