Apr 12, 2021
After a long Winter Quarter and a short but needed break, Spring Quarter is often a time of stress and anxiety for the SPU community. There is also the recent news of President Martin's resignation and the Board of Trustees' decision.
UMin and partners are here for you! Please take advantage of opportunities to receive care and for spiritual practices that may be helpful for you. If you have any questions, please email UMin.
Chapel: SPU Community Gathering of Honest Prayers
Tue, April 20 | 10:30 a.m.
Facilitated by Chaplain Lisa Ishihara
Spaces for Pause & Spiritual Engagement
Stations of the Cross & Prayer Labyrinth
Location: Streetscape and lawn between Demaray Hall and Marston-Watson Hall
Use these two spiritual practices for reflection, lament, and prayer. These are self-guided, individual experiences. Please observe SPU health guidelines.
Breath Prayer Spiritual Practice
Mondays, April 19, May 3, 17 | 12:30-12:40 p.m. | Instagram
Take a 10-minute break and join Sharpen Commuter Ministries for a guided time of communal Breath Prayer.
Faculty & Staff Conversation: Clear Eyes, Open Hearts
Thur, April 15 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Zoom
Let's have a heart to heart conversation about what's next. Facilitated by Dr. Raedene Copeland, Faculty Life Office, and Chaplain Lisa Ishihara, University Ministries.
John Perkins Center Drop-in Support
Tuesdays, April 13 & 20 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Zoom
Other JPC drop-in dates: May 4, 18, and June 1
UMin Treat Cart
Need a treat or pick-me-up? Lookout for the UMin Treat Cart to make spontaneous appearances around campus. Stop by and grab a treat!
Small Group Processing Opportunities
The following process groups are for the SPU community only, not the general public.
Student Only Groups - UMin in partnership with local pastors and spiritual directors
- General process group | Tue, April 13 | 7 p.m. | Zoom
Facilitators: Minister May Tag Yang, Minister Alex Booker, Chaplain Lisa Ishihara
- Affirming process group | Wed, April 14 | 12 p.m. | Zoom
Facilitators: Chaplain Lisa Ishihara, Pastor Paul Kim, Rev. Zac Calvo, Rev. Katie Ladd, Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell
- Residential process group | Thur, April 15 | 12 p.m. | Zoom
Facilitators: Pastor Kelsey Rorem, Minister Alex Booker, Michael Chew, Pastor Jen Manglos, Rev. Ruby Varghese
- General process group | Fri, April 16 | 12 p.m. | Zoom
Facilitators: Pastor Paul Kim, Minister Caenisha Warren, Deb Nondorf, Rev. Silas Sham, Rev. Victoria Carr-Ware
- Welcoming* process group | Wed, April 21 | 12 p.m. | Zoom
Facilitators: Chaplain Lisa Ishihara, Rev. Matt Poole
(*welcoming but not fully affirming)
Staff Only Group - UMin in partnership with Staff Council
Wed, April 14 | 12-1 p.m. | Zoom link in Staff Council email
Facilitators: Minister May Tag Yang and Gina Whitehouse
Faculty Only Group - Hosted by the Faculty Life Office (FLO)
Hump Day, Wed, April 14 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Zoom link in FLO email
Facilitator: Dr. Raedene Copeland
Student, Staff, and Faculty Groups
- Catholic Only | Date & Time TBD | Zoom (link coming)
Facilitators: TBD
- Free Methodist Church only | Wed, April 21 | 7 p.m. | Zoom
Facilitators: Chaplain Lisa Ishihara and FMC Superintendent Michael Forney
One-on-One Support
If you are interested in connecting for one-on-one support, please contact us. The UMin Team is willing to meet with you or you may want to reach out to our friends in the Student Counseling Center. We are also partnered with some local church pastors and spiritual directors to provide care during Spring Quarter. Pictures and provided introductions are below. If you have any questions, please email UMin.
Local Church Pastoral Support | Request Form
Rev. Zac Calvo, Coastland Commons & Northminster Presbyterian Church
Zac grew up in the Seattle area and is currently serving as a Presbyterian pastor in Ballard. After finishing his undergrad at Northwest University, he worked as a worship leader before transitioning into seminary to become a pastor. In his pastoral work he is committed to cultivating faith spaces and spiritual practices that support wholeness and integration for LGBTQ folks. Zac lives with his husband Elliot in Fremont and enjoys horror movies and tricking Elliot into watching them.
Rev. Victoria Carr-Ware, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship & Seattle University
Reverend Victoria Carr-Ware is a counselor and educator whose primary interest is in spiritual health and well-being. She is an enthusiastic preacher, counselor, and workshop facilitator whose passionate and practical style helps people consider issues around purpose, meaning, loss, and grief. She currently serves as the Ecumenical and Multifaith Campus Minister at Seattle University where she advises all religious/spiritual student clubs on campus and brings folks together across religious and worldview difference. Rev. Victoria also serves as Associate Pastor at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Kent, Washington.
Rev. Katie Ladd, Queen Anne United Methodist Church & The Well
I am a United Methodist pastors and founder/abbot of an intentional community called The Well. I am member of the LGBTQIA+ communities and have been an active part of resistance within my denomination for over 20 years as well as active in providing spiritual care, facilitating support groups, and serving on the boards of local LGBTQIA+ organizations. In 2001, I was one of 3 clergy in the UMC who cam out publicly in ways that pressed congregations across the denomination, as well as the denomination itself, to take serious stock of how they understand Jesus' welcome, the normalization of Queer folks, and theologies that exclude, harm, dismiss, and diminish people. It is my pleasure to companion people, wherever they are, toward their fullness in humanity and to lives of joy lived with God.
Pastor Jen Manglos, Bethany Community Church Ballard
Hi, my name is Jen and I'm a pastor and spiritual director, but firstly, I am God's beloved. From that flows a desire to welcome each person I encounter into their own belovedness.
Deb Nondorf, Spiritual Director
Deb served as one of the campus pastors at SPU for 14+ years retiring August 2020. She is honored to listen with folks as they discern their responses to life's challenges and gifts.
Rev. Matt Poole, First Free Methodist Church
Matt Poole is the lead pastor of First Free Methodist Church. Matt brings with him gifts for ministry in the areas of preaching, teaching, wisdom, and leadership. His passion is for lives to be changed through following Jesus Christ. He serves on the Advisory Board of Seattle Pacific Seminary. He has previous experience on several boards in the areas of homelessness, church development, church planting, and leadership.
Rev. Silas Sham, Bethany Community Church Greater Seattle
As a Chinese Canadian who landed in Seattle after spending ten years in Tennessee, I hope to offer an approach to spiritual care that welcomes, recognizes and honors your full humanity. Nothing about our stories is inconsequential. As we share sacred space together, may we do so with Christ, by the power of the Spirit.
Rev. Ruby Varghese, Quest Church
I am 2nd generation Indian American who is passionate about helping people see who they are in Christ. I strive to be a pastor who welcomes, honors, and celebrates all people - inclusive of race, ethnicity, age, faith history, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, physical and mental ability, and education. Looking forward to being available to listen, care, and support your flourishing and thriving as individuals and as a community at SPU.
Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, Queen Anne Baptist Church
I am a forty-something pastor, married and mom of a child with autism. I see God at work all around us, and often find connections in faith and popular culture, for God is still speaking to us. I write science fiction, play guitar (somewhat) and love the outdoors. I am LGBTQ+ affirming.
UMin Team at SPU | Chat with UMin Team Form
- Rev. Lisa Ishihara, University Chaplain
- Rev. Kelsey Rorem, Associate Chaplain
- Caenisha Warren, Minister of Reconciliation Ministries & Executive Director of the John Perkins Center
- Rev. Paul Kim, Minister of Church & Community Connections
- May Tag Yang, Minister of Discipleship Ministries
- Alex Booker, Minister of Worship Ministries & Community Life
- Ashlee' Thomas, Coordinator of Local Engagement, John Perkins Center
- Michael Chew, Coordinator of Immersive Engagement, John Perkins Center
- Mykylie Zelaya, UMin Project Coordinator