Campus & Community

Hendricks Chapel Celebrates Black History Month at Feb. 24 Evening Gathering

Friday, February 22, 2019, By Delaney Van Wey

Hendricks Chapel will celebrate Black History Month this weekend with dinner, inspirational messages and choir performances.

The celebration will take place during Dean鈥檚 Convocation, the award-winning Sunday gathering led by the Rev. Brian E. Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. These weekly gatherings, which begin at 7 p.m. in the Main Chapel, are a place for all people to renew, reflect and rejoice in preparation for the week ahead.

As this week鈥檚 guest speaker, Elder Melvin Baker, the Historically Black Church Associate Chaplain, will deliver a message titled “Rough Blessings: Finding Victory in Painful Seasons!” The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble will lead a special performance, in addition to the Hendricks Chapel Choir. Anne Laver, University Organist, and Samuel Kuffuor-Afriyie will both perform the organ at this week鈥檚 event.

Before each Dean鈥檚 Convocation, Hendricks Chapel also hosts a casual dinner that is free and open to the public. All are welcome to enjoy an inclusive meal and engaging conversation beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Noble Room.

In partnership with the Office of Health Promotion, four select dinners form the Soulful Eats program. At these gatherings, student leaders lead guided conversations around topics important to student life. The Spring 2019 SoulfulEats schedule is:

  • February 24: Connection
  • March 24: Hate/Anger
  • March 31: Change
  • April 14: Freedom

In addition to these select dates, Dean鈥檚 Convocation will continue each Sunday throughout the spring semester, except for the weekends before and after Spring Break (March 10 and 17).

Dean鈥檚 Convocation and Sunday Dinner is free and open to the public. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is provided. For questions and accommodations, please email chapel@syr.edu or call 315.443.2901.