Dear Friends & Colleagues,
I write with exciting news! You may have heard about President Faust’s recent announcement of Harvard’s first full-time Muslim chaplain. As the religious and spiritual diversity of the Harvard community expands, we have been working over the past several years towards establishing an independent multi-faith chaplaincy to better serve the needs of our diverse community. This appointment is a vital and necessary step in that direction. Now more than ever, Harvard must rededicate our efforts to serving and promoting understanding among the varied religious and spiritual traditions here at the University and beyond.
As part of this commitment, The Rev. Dr. Lucy Forster-Smith, Sedgwick Chaplain to the University and Senior Minister in the Memorial Church, will now dedicate her efforts full-time to multi-faith initiatives here at Harvard as Sedgwick Chaplain to the University.
Since she began here in 2014, Lucy has done an incredible job in both of her roles as Sedgwick Chaplain to the University and Senior Minister in the Memorial Church, helping to establish and promote multi-faith dialogue and initiatives while providing pastoral care, inspiring preaching, and uplifting prayers for so many in our community. We thank Lucy for her efforts as Senior Minister and look forward to continuing to work with her in her capacity as Sedgwick Chaplain.
I am very pleased to announce and recognize the accomplishments of The Rev. Alanna C. Sullivan, who will assume additional responsibilities for the church. She has served as Ministry Fellow in the Memorial Church since 2013, and launched many successful and engaging student programs, participated closely in Sunday worship planning, and overseen the daily service of Morning Prayers. Alanna will join the clergy-staff in a full-time capacity as Associate Minister in the Memorial Church effective immediately. She will be responsible for administering the pastoral aspects of the Memorial Church, including liturgical planning and leading worship, student programming, and will supervise Memorial Church seminarians.
Please join me in thanking both Lucy and Alanna for their excellent work.
One Luv,
Jonathan L. Walton