The Rev. Viki Brooks-McDonald: Campus Protestant minister and interfaith chaplain at Union College
Background: 50, born and raised in Cleveland, graduated from College of Wooster, Ohio, and McCormick Theological Seminary, Ill. Confirmed in Presbyterian church while at Wooster. Has served at eight area churches and on campus for eight years. She and her husband, the Rev. James Brooks-McDonald, pastor at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, have two children, Nicolaus and Ethan.
Quarter-century on campus: On Friday, a dinner commemorating 25 years of Campus Protestant Ministry at Union honored the Rev. Dan West, former vice president of college relations; George Woodzell, community volunteer; and Erin Kane, 2005 graduate for her work as a peer minister and her dedication to religious life at the college.
What is your role at Union College?
We call this a ministry of presence. Much of what I do is “loitering with intent.” I am here to let students know that someone is available to them for spiritual concerns, or even roommate concerns. I have two programs during the week. “Dinner, Devotion and Discussion,” where students choose the topic and devotion. It is an eclectic group and includes a Muslim and Roman Catholics. It is a safe time to talk about controversial issues. The other program, “Slow Moments,” is a quiet, reflective prayer service, sharing Scripture and thinking about God.
Tell us about faith on campus.
I feel there is an increase on the part of the students in the past eight years, an upsurge of interest in all matters religious. A strong Hindu organization started last spring. The Jewish group is very strong too, as are Catholics. The Protestants aren't as inclined to do liturgy.
Students will always say they are “spiritual but not religious.” Most students are looking for what it means in relationship to a creator.
What about interfaith activities?
We have a multifaith council. Last fall, we had a “fastathon” during October when it was Ramadan, Yom Kippur, (Hindu) Navaratra and World Communion Day. We talked about world hunger. We invited secular students and religious students. Each faith group talked about fasting in its own tradition. Our sponsors gave money, which we donated to the food bank.
On May 17, are doing an Earth Day celebration. At a carnival, we will have outdoor booths for trash from residents' houses, then separate it and weigh what's recyclable. There will be religious stories. The food will be organic and vegetarian. We will have recycled cotton T-shirts, and kids will write messages on them, religious or otherwise.
As the Protestant chaplain, do you have any special goals?
I would like to see Protestants be more grounded in their own tradition, so they are more solid in their own foundation but also hold their own with other faiths. After confirmation, most kids get so involved in sports, they don't get enough under their belt to understand who they are. They need to have identity with regard to their religion.
Tell us about the anniversary celebration.
We are in an age when local congregations and funding bodies of churches are cutting back on higher education funding. The kids are interested, but there is less money available. Part of the celebration is that we have thrived in spite of that. We are trying to ensure our future of the endowment. We have almost 10 percent of our goal.