“Big Words: WASH” offers Interfaith Views of Water Oct. 19

a drop of water breaks the calm surface of water

We are more water than anything. About 3/5 of the human body is water. More than 70 percent of the earth’s surface is water. To be deprived of water is dangerous, even deadly. So it makes sense that water also has an important place as a symbol in the world’s religious and spiritual traditions. Just as water can cleanse the body inside and out, so faith and spiritual practice can cleanse the heart and mind.

We will consider water from several spiritual — and practical — perspectives during Big Words: WASH, on Monday, Oct. 19. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life will host several guests who will share with us their thoughts on water as a resource for life and spirituality. Among the presenters are two Stetson professors: Phillip Lucas, PhD, will share with us video and insights on ritual bathing during pilgrimage to the Ganges; and Robert Sitler, PhD, will offer an immersive view of water as it exists in Florida’s springs.

They will be joined by Hillel of the Florida Suncoast executive director, Rabbi Ed Rosenthal. Rosenthal is the founder of Tikkun HaYam and Scubi Jew, a Hillel Eckerd College program that focuses on the intersection between Judaism and the ocean. 

Big Words: WASH is one of a series offered by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Each Big Words program offers Cultural Credit, with interesting discussions and activities. The programs present interfaith perspectives on concepts or values important to different religious and spiritual traditions.

Stetson Chaplain, Sensei Morris Sullivan, provides a blessing at many campus events.

Big Words: WASH will be on Zoom at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19. Cultural Credit is available. For the Zoom link, register at https://stetson.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6525041.  

For more information about Big Words, contact the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at [email protected] or phone 386-822-7403.

Sensei Morris Sullivan
Chaplain
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life