2024-25 Events and Programs

We carry so much in these precarious times.

Come any Thursday at 3:45 for these 30-minute Weekly Community Gatherings in the chapel. Led by Dean of Spiritual & Religious Life, Mark Orten, quiet time for ourselves and one another is held with deep care and gratitude. All are welcome to these lightly guided circles and no experience is necessary.

Join us for 15 minutes of silent meditation every weekday morning, led by various staff, faculty, and students.

Come enjoy homemade chai and homemade cookies with members of The Scott Center staff as we slow down our pace for a bit of socializing and crafting.  Watercolors, polymer clay, collaging, grown-up coloring books, puzzles and beading materials provided!

For the Christian, Christian-curious, Christian-conflicted and anyone interested in exploring the deep places in loving community. 

Share a homemade meal of soup and bread over lightly-guided scripture readings, discussion and prayers.

Interested but can’t attend? Email Prof. Mary Jane Simpson, msimpson@middlebury.edu

Please note that the Dec. 8 gathering will happen off-campus.  Contact rosenber@middlebury.edu for details on location.

Described as spiritual, joyful, powerful, and raucous, Shape Note (or Sacred Harp) singing is a traditional American style of four-part, a capella, community singing popular in the United States before the Civil War. This style still thrives across the US and in the UK, with strongholds in the American South and New England. It is called Shape-Note because the notes of the scale are indicated by distinctive shapes and names: Fa – triangle, Sol – circle, La – square, and Mi – diamond.

Facilitated by Prof. Emeritus David Rosenberg every second Sunday.

click here for a full description of our Spring 2025 course and trip (INTD 0160), offered in conjunction with the Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation.

Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life Mark Orten will lead an ecumenical Christian service and imposition of ashes.  Prof. Mary Jane Simpson, guest preacher.

Gather with College and town community members for a special event honoring the life and message of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Be inspired by readings from two of his speeches performed by Oratory Now students, raise up your voice in song with a pop-up choir, and witness our community-wide Paper Cranes Project take flight!   Hot beverages provided.  All are welcome.

Notice of location change by 9:00 am Jan. 20 at go/middlebury.edu/cce/

Hosted by The Scott Center for Spiritual & Religious Life, the Anderson Freeman Resource Center, and the Center for Community Engagement at Middlebury College.

Join the Muslim Student Association in a conversation with community organizer, activist, and Middlebury Posse alumna Rana Abdelhamid.  Abdelhamid started a non-profit organization, (Malikah, based in New York) that has trained thousands of women around the world in self-defense, anti-hate crime advocacy, and emotional healing work. She has also run for Congress. Dinner will be catered from Taste of India.

An annual celebration of traditional Christmas music and biblical texts of the season. Led by Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life Mark R. Orten, and Middlebury College Choir Musical Director Jeffrey Buettner.

Two services, at 4:00 and 7:00 pm. Donations will be accepted for local charities.   

Large print programs available. American Sign Language interpretation at the 4:00 service only.

A lightly-guided weekly ritual to share care and support in response to campus and world events.

Counter your election anxiety with snacks, crafts and good company at an all-day drop-in SlowDown with Scott Center chaplains and staff.

See our full High Holidays schedule here.

We’ll provide a catered all-vegetarian dinner to celebrate the beginning of the year.  All are welcome!

Take a look at all the ways you can connect with The Scott Center at this fall’s Orientation events!