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Community Life Committee

The YDS Community Life Committee (CLC) seeks to provide opportunities for fellowship, spiritual and intellectual growth, rest, celebration, and relaxation for the YDS Community. The Community Life Committee (CLC) is a Standing Committee of the General Faculty of the Divinity School comprised of faculty members, administrators, and student representatives. The CLC allocates funding to student groups, is responsible for the annual Back-to-School Cook-out, the Christmas Party, Spring Fling, the All School Conference, Fatted Cafés, Coffee Hour, and more!

Faculty members and administrators are appointed by the Dean, with one serving as co-chair. The other co-chair is held jointly by the student co-coordinators. Other students serving on the Committee include four elected members of the student body: a first-year student, a Master of Divinity student, a Master of Arts in Religion student, and an at-large member. The Student Council President may also serve on the CLC.

 

CLC Leadership for 2008-2009                                           

 

Co-Chairs	Dale Peterson, Dean of Students Delfin Bautista, Coordinator John Boyles, Coordinator
Faculty Members	Patrick Evans Thomas Ogletree (Fall) Susan Olson Yolanda Smith (Fall)
Student Members	Bryce Wiebe, 1st Year Representative Yoon Jung Kim, 2nd Year Representative Jacquelyn Hall, 3rd Year Representative Nneka Black, At-Large Representative

 

Student Organizations

Baptist Student Fellowship
Coordinator: Allison Hager
The Baptist Student Fellowship is the denominational group serving all YDS students of the Baptist of Free Church heritage. The goal of the group is to increase on-campus fellowship between students, act as support for free church style worship services in Marquand Chapel, and serve as a liaison between local Baptist churches and clergy and YDS.

Beatitudes Society

Coordinators: James Christie, Mary Emily Duba

We are a community called to live into the prophetic witness preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. We seek to be peacemakers, voices of justice, servants of the poor, teachers of hard truths, and preachers of a liberating Word. Recognizing that prophetic work is hard and often lonely work, we come together to be the Body of Christ for and with one another. We gather monthly for an evening meal and a time of sabbath—a "non-performative" time when we can rest our minds, hearts, and bodies and renew our spirits.

Bible Belters

Coordinators: Bryce Wiebe, Kevin Williams

The Bible Belters is an all-male a capella group open to Yale Divinity School guys who like to sing all sorts of music. We sing hymns and psalms as well as Barbershop and even Madonna! We are always looking for new voices, so we hope you will check us out.

Black Seminarians
Coordinators: Horace Ballard, Neichelle Guidry
Black Seminarians is an interfaith student organization. Our mission is to foster the love of God through service and support of YDS. The organization also seeks to develop and maintain a community committed to a sound theological education that includes a relationship to the black experience. Activities have included the Fall Revival, the Martin Luther King Day Worship Service, the Angel Tree Project at Christmas, and the Parks-King Lecture in the spring. As an integral part of the YDS Community, the Black Seminarians remain committed to diversity among both students and faculty.

Catholic Student Fellowship
Coordinators: Michael Cagney, Stephen Gaetano, Liam Haggerty
This is an open and welcoming group that seeks to examine and foster adult Catholic faith and current church issues through community discussions, regular weekly celebration of the Mass, fellowship, and food.

The Coalition (Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bisexual, and Transgendered)
The Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bisexual and Transgendered Coalition is a fellowship of Yale Divinity School students, faculty and staff of all sexual orientations dedicated to the full and equal participation of homosexual, bisexual and transgendered people in church and society. We are committed to care for one another, to seek justice for those have been oppressed, and to work for the full inclusion of all people in a family of God. We provide materials on GLBT issues and information to members of the community dealing with related topics. In addition to on-going discussion groups, the Coalition sponsors lectures, panels, worship services, and other educational, social and cultural events.

Committee on Racial Equality

Coordinator: Rahiel Tesfamariam

It is the mission of CORE to encourage authentic community among diverse racial groups, to challenge the structures that foster racism, and to engage the YDS community in issues of diversity and inclusion in a spirit that is informed by our understanding of the Christian gospel.  We are committed to improving opportunities for students, faculty, and staff of color and believe that acquiring substantial knowledge of intellectual voices heretofore excluded from western education is crucial to the integrity of a theological institution.  We hope to participate in creating an environment where all God's children are welcomed and embraced and justice is consistently pursued.

Episcopal Peace Fellowship

Coordinators: Bethany Davidson and Deborah Noonan

The Episcopal Peace Fellowship nonviolence commitment pledge is as follows:  In loyalty to the person, teaching, and Lordship of Jesus Christ, my conscience commits me to His way of redemptive love: to pray, study, and work for peace, and to renounce, as far as possible, participation in war, militarism, and all other forms of violence.  In fellowship with others, I will work to discover and create alternatives to violence and to build a culture of peace.

Evangelical Fellowship
Coordinators: David Derksen, Caleb Perl, Olivia Stewart
The Evangelical Fellowship (EF) is an ecumenical group of students committed to creedal orthodoxy, the trustworthiness of Scripture, the central importance of a vital relationship with Christ, and the call to share the gospel with all people.  We aim to support divinity students who share these commitments through their seminary experience by sponsoring programs aimed at spiritual and intellectual growth.  We desire to critically engage both the academy and our own traditions to glean what is best from each.  The Evangelical Fellowship sponsors small groups for Bible study and prayer, opportunities to worship, discussions, speakers, and social events.

FADS
Coordinator: Bethany Davidson
Fans and Athletes at Divinity School, FADS, is the organization at YDS that promotes fellowship through athletics. We seek to support students in intramural sports in order to enrich life at YDS. The groups involved in FADS include, but are not limited to, the God squad softball team and the Paracleats soccer team.

Former Profits

Coordinator: Debbie McLeod Sears
The Former Profits include all second-career students who are experiencing student life with all of the joy and fear that any new phase in life would bring. We are here to support and care for one another in this exciting phase as a YDS student. We eat together, share 'insider' information and generally just enjoy making friends whom we hope to know long after we graduate.

Lutheran Student Organization
Coordinators: Johanna Johnson, Peter Harrits
Through worship, lunch meetings, barbecues, and informal gatherings, the Lutheran Student Organization provides fellowship for all students interested in the Lutheran tradition. Students plan Tuesday evening Vespers in St. Luke's Chapel and morning services in Marquand. The LSO also sponsors guest speakers and discussion forums for issues pertinent to the YDS community.

Methodist Society
Coordinator: John Helmstadter
The Methodist Society is a network of YDS students, alumni, and colleagues who share in the Methodist tradition in its many diverse manifestations. We welcome all who identify with the Wesleyan heritage, as well as new seekers searching for a circle of friends in faith. The Methodist Society provides a forum for mutual upbuilding, spiritual formation, doctrinal and polity concerns, and contact with local Methodist clergy. The Methodist Society meets regularly during the week for morning prayer and reflection and weekly for lunch in the refectory. Once a month we gather in the evening for food and fun and special programs. Furthermore, the Methodist Society leads YDS worship services, and plans to organize group service projects, retreats, and other faith based activities.

Outings Club
Coordinator: Joshua Hill
The Outings Club integrates spirituality with outdoor experiences. We offer day and overnight trips, as well as an extended wilderness trip each year. Outings Club excursions emphasize community, spirituality, and appreciation of God's natural creation. We learn about the local and regional landscape and developing new skills through participation to broaden our educational experiences. Under the blue sky, on the trail, beside the campfire, or down the river, the YDS Outings Club provides opportunities for fellowship, challenge, leadership, stimulation, and perspective beyond the classroom.

Presbyterian and Reformed Student Group
Coordinator: Kazimierz Bem
This group provides support, fellowship, and worship for all Presbyterian and Reformed students. Weekly meetings are held on Tuesdays at 12:30 in the Refectory for lunchtime discussion.

Sacramental Winers

Coordinators: Johanna Johnson, Jennifer Miller

The Sacramental Winers are an all-female a capella singing group. All are welcome to audition, regardless of previous experience, and spouses of students are also welcome to audition. The 'Winers' sing for various events such as Fatted Cafés, faculty events, and chapel services. The Winers host a spring concert at YDS, ehich serves as a fundraiser for a local organization. The Sacramental Winers' repertoire includes sacred, spiritual, world, and pop music selections- all a capella, all the time! Auditions for the group typically take place early in the fall semester. Auditions will be announced on Dale Mail.

United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ Student Fellowship
Coordinators: Carol Lewis, Sarah Woodford, Meghan Young
This group gathers for fellowship over luncheon meetings, dinner socials, worship planning, and day retreats for all UCC, Disciples of Christ, and Congregational students.

Women's Center
Coordinator: Rebecca Lenn
The Women's Center promotes reflection and action by, for and among women. Women at YDS are scholars, pastors, mentors, servants, teachers, sisters, administrators, and mothers--and this organization is by, for, and among all of us. Women's Center programs include a journal of art/prose/poetry from YDS women, speakers, Fatted Cafes, Chapel Services, and Home Churches. The Women's Center is an integral part of the YDS community, composed of and for women from a variety of cultures and religious traditions. The Women's Center continually looks for ways to support and connect with women of Yale and New Haven to inform, serve, and equip for global leadership.

YDK/AA (Yale Divinity Korean/Asian Association)
Coordinators: Hyemi Lee, Carson Perez (fall), Lydia Sohn (spring)
Korean, Korean-American, and East-Asian students are provided with a place for fellowship, and sharing of an ethnic bond and common faith. Although the group is organized by and for students with East Asian heritage, YDKA welcomes all of the YDS community. Frequent meetings include East Asian-style dinners, an academic forum for discussion, and guest lectures.

YDLA (Yale Divinity Latina/o Association)

Coordinator: Nichole Flores

The Yale Divinity Latina/o Association is dedicated to creating a space for Latina/o voices at YDS, as well as providing resources to promote theological and cultural education for an entire YDS student body preparing for services to the church and the world. The YDLA hopes to foster comunidad Latina: an open, welcoming place to learn, struggle, and celebrate.

Yale Committee for Social Justice
Coordinators: Jonah Bartlett, Shakira Sanchez-Collins, Ruth Vaughan
The Yale Committee for Social Justice (YCSJ) provides opportunities for members of the Yale Divinity School community to integrate social justice concerns into their work and ministries.  Throughout the school year, YCSJ hosts a number of discussions, forums, and lectures that address a variety of peace and justice issues, including such topics as violence/conflict in our world, hunger and homelessness, economic justice, and more. The group also coordinates periodic service activities such as the CROP WALK and work on Habitat for Humanity homes.

Yale Divinity Drama

Coordinator: Rachel Watson

YDS Divinity Drama is intended to act as a forum for new writers, actors, directors, producers and drama enthusiasts.  YDD is committed to bringing performances of new dramatic and poetic works by students to the larger YDS community .

Yale Earth Care Committee

Coordinator: Frederica Ghesquiere

The Yale Earth Care Commitee seeks to bring issues of creation care and ecological justice to the YDS community. We belive that God calls us to care for the entirety of creation with equal concern. Ecological concern encompasses a broad spectrum of issues but this group seeks, primarily, to work on issues of sustainability in our daily life here at YDS. This includes working with students on practical daily habits and addressing these issues at the administrative level. In addition to advocacy, this group also hosts educational events around environmental issues and seeks to work with YCSJ on ecological issues that connect with issues of social justice (eco-justice).

Yale Forum on Faith and Politics

Coordinators: Chris Meserole and Stephanie Vogelzang

The Yale Forum on Faith & Politics is a bipartisan student group committed to providing a place on campus where conservatives and liberals alike can discuss political issues in a mutually respectful and engaging way.