My Current Ministry:

My greatest honor as a chaplain is to be able to journey with others in their joys and their sorrows. Sometimes it is as simple as affirming that they matter, their stories matter no matter what they are grappling with, whether it is identity, relationship, illness or an existential crisis staring them in the face. Ultimately it’s about connecting on a deeply human level. The richness and pluralism of Hinduism, the Unitarian Universalist call to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and the moral imperative to lead an ethical life that Humanism demands, are what drive me and sustain me in my work.

As a chaplain at Wellesley College, I offer 1:1 pastoral care on an ongoing basis. Daily, I meet with students dealing with a myriad of issues from roommate struggles to familial crisis. I lead weekly worship services, with all the elements of a Sunday service including readings, chalice lighting, music, Joys & Concerns, reflection/sermon, a hands-on spiritual practice, chalice extinguishing. I also hold regular reading groups. In the spring of 2025, we read kai cheng thom’s “Falling Back in Love with Being Human Again: Letters to Lost Souls” and in the fall we read Dr. Naomi Remen’s “Kitchen Table Wisdoms”. I also conduct specific programming regularly, often collaborating with colleagues; some examples are Reverend Jo Murphy, Executive Director at UU MASS Action who spoke about climate justice on Earth Day; Reverend Darrah Bryans who delivered a special sermon on Trans Day of Remembrance; Matt Meyer who provided the music for a service on the theme of gratitude that I led in November of 2025. Our Muslim Chaplain, Amira Qurashi and I conducted a series based on the book “How to be a Perfect Stranger” where we talked about ways to be comfortable in religious/spiritual spaces that are not from our tradition. I participate in special services such as Bridging Ceremony, Flower Sunday, Baccalaureate, and Graduation, among others. I also collaborate and participate in weekly multi-faith community discussions with students.

As a hospital chaplain, I work with patients, families and staff to provide a safe space to process emotions, feelings and a sense of meaning as needed. I continue to be present at the community kitchens and various dinner sites while working with the unhoused and those dealing with food insecurities, mental illness and addiction.

Every month I plan and preside over Interfaith Clergy Gatherings which have become a much-needed space for hospitality, fellowship and food.

Baccalaureate 2025 with Student Leaders, Chaplains, Administration and College President Dr. Paula Johnson