Gathering Space: Spring Holiday 2024 Updates

Here in The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being, we are preparing for a busy Spring Holiday Season. Within the next 4-6 weeks, students and student organizations on our campus will be celebrating a large variety of religious holidays, including (but not limited to) Passover, Ramadan Easter, and Holi.  As we approach this time of feasting, fasting, and holidays with deep significance for many in our community, this (rather long) email shares the ways that The Gathering Space is working to help host, work with, and celebrate students as they live into their spiritual and religious identities.

1) Gathering Space Hours will be adjusted during this Spring Holiday Season to accommodate student needs. During these increased hours, students will have access to CWB 103 (The Gathering Space), CWB 101, CWB 109, and the Lounge in the CWB. Here are the hours from Sunday, March 26th through Saturday, April 22. During this time, please do your best to share space, help clean after celebrations, and engage each other with generous questions and listening. 

*Regular M-F, 8:00am-10:00pm & Su, 12:00pm-10:00pm hours will resume on Friday, April 12.

   *Please Note: more information about Easter & Passover/Pesach will be coming in a later email as these holidays approach (and more details get worked out!).

    A) Ramadan

Ramadan begins today, Sunday, March 10th and will end Thursday, April 11th. To meet the needs of students breaking their fast and evening taraweeh prayers, CWB 103 (The Gathering Space) will be open during the times below. Campus Dining Services has made increased halal and suhoor food options available. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Food will also be available for suhoor in the kitchenette in The Gathering Space: Please reserve this food for community members wishing to eat before fasting.

     i) For more information about iftars, events, please check out information and events posted on Instagram and/or MyUMBC hosted by the Muslim Student Association, Ahlul-Bayt Student Association, or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association for Women.

     ii) Taraweeh on Campus in The Gathering Space after Isha each night 

     iii) Open Iftar on Monday, May 25th @ 7:00pm in the Skylight Room

        

Holi will take place on Monday, March 25th, but is being celebrated on campus by the Hindu Students Council on Saturday, Mar 30th on Erickson Field at 1:00pm. From HSC's advertisement: Join UMBC HSC in celebrating Holi - the festival of colors. There will be free food, colors, and music! The event is open to everyone, we hope to see you there!" Check out HSC's instagram for more information!

Though many events during this holiday season are open to UMBC community members, two events are specifically aimed at bringing students, staff, and faculty together to learn, share food, and celebrate these Spring Holidays. Centering the values of Radial Love & Belonging and Energetic Pluralism that underlie the community that we are building in the Gathering Space, you are invited to:

     

4) Lastly, keep your eyes tuned to i3b's Instagram Account (@umbci3b) and our MyUMBC page for a series showcasing how students at UMBC are engaging with these Spring Holidays called "This is How I [Holiday]."

May this sacred time bring moments of rejuvenation, rebirth, charity, connection and hope as we welcome warmer weather, learn from one another, and embrace the energy of our shared, interfaith community.

See you around The Gathering Space!

-Matt Hoffman