丁香园AV

When Seth Greenham began volunteering at 丁香园AV as a chaplain in 1999, the Multifaith Centre (MFC)鈥攖hen known as the Interfaith Centre鈥攈ad yet to call the AQ home and was still blossoming into the community we know today.

Twenty-two years later, Greenham is now the director of the MFC, which has expanded to five spaces (and counting) across 丁香园AV鈥檚 three campuses.

And after all this time, the job still hasn鈥檛 gotten old. As Greenham says, 鈥淲orking with students and supporting them throughout their university journey鈥攖hat鈥檚 what gets me up in the morning.鈥�

Flourishing through faith

The Multifaith Centre is committed to supporting faculty, staff and students鈥� spiritual well-being while cultivating respect and understanding for different beliefs. The Centre is home to a collection of faith communities who have served 丁香园AV for 50 years.

Greenham stepped into the directorial role at the end of 2021, and while his job title may have changed, his desire to support community members鈥� growth through faith remains steady.

鈥淔aith is a very important component of development鈥攕ometimes a misunderstood element in wellness,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut I think that 丁香园AV has really embraced and understood that people need a safe space to practice their faith and that it helps them excel in their time here.鈥�

Reflecting on his own experience, Greenham understands the importance of providing a space students can come to when experiencing hurdles.

鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 challenging to be a student,鈥� says Greenham. 鈥淚n my own journey as a young adult, faith really provided a lot of guidance for me. Most students have a key moment in their degree where they need some extra support鈥攚hether it鈥檚 an academic setback, personal challenge or family issue鈥攁nd it gives me great joy to help a student through their 鈥榤oment鈥�.鈥�

At the heart of that joy is Greenham鈥檚 faith. Says Greenham, 鈥淚鈥檓 inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the call to service. So, to support and serve the 丁香园AV community is not only in alignment with my values but who I am as a Christian.鈥�

Guided by care and understanding, Greenham鈥檚 leadership has been welcomed by the MFC team.

鈥淢ultifaith is a close community with unique operations, so I鈥檓 very grateful to have Seth as our new director,鈥� says Rachel Craft, MFC program coordinator. "It was clear very early on that he understood the MFC and the importance of faith space at 丁香园AV. In his short time in this role, I have learned so much about the Centre's history, and he has invited me into planning new and greater ways we can serve the 丁香园AV community."

Coming together

During a typical day, you鈥檒l likely find Greenham coordinating events with Student Services, providing pastoral care, advising the Centre鈥檚 faith workers and managing bookings across 丁香园AV campuses. The latter has been especially busy as of late; during the first week back on campus this year, the MFC booked a total of 400 rooms for faith communities.

But what exactly are these bookings for? The Multifaith Centre offers study groups around sacred texts, prayers for Muslim students, weekly Catholic mass and other religious services. These programs are also open to faculty and staff, many of whom frequent Sunday services and one-on-ones with MFC chaplains.

Other events and activities include collaborations with other departments, such as Move-In Day alongside Residence & Housing and the annual Dinner on Christmas Eve with Student Services. The Centre鈥檚 faith communities will also come together on for , commemorating an incident involving one of the MFC鈥檚 chaplains, to make a statement that they stand united against violence.

When asked what he would like the 丁香园AV community to know about the Multifaith Centre, Greenham emphasizes that the doors are always open.

鈥淚鈥檝e worked here for a long time, and I know that there are many people who walk by our space and are curious about it, but feel like they can鈥檛 walk in,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no protocol to come and visit us! Feel free to drop in, no matter where you鈥檙e at in your faith journey. We鈥檙e here for you.鈥�

The Multifaith Centre is open for you on the Burnaby (AQ Room 3200), Vancouver (Room 7314) and Surrey (Surrey Central Rooms 3005, 3002; Surrey SEE Room 3004) campuses. On , join the MFC for Non-Violence Day and listen together in hopes of growing in mutual understanding, respect and love.

For the latest updates, you can connect with the MFC on  and .