The Rev. Valerie Bailey, Chaplain to the College and Protestant Chaplain
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As Chaplain to the College, I am here with the Chaplain’s Office team for all students of all faith traditions, or no faith tradition or practitioners and thinkers who focus on the essence of being, without the use of religion. My interfaith experiences in previous positions have always been rich opportunities to grow as a person and a world citizen. These interfaith experiences have led to opportunities to respond with others to the needs of the marginalized or those in crisis.
A special concern about the rights of marginalized persons is also part of my religious experience and practice. This concern and practices related to social engagement have been balanced with an appreciation of how power and privilege can be redirected toward creating positive change in our society.
My own religious experience includes three strains of the U.S. Protestant experience: African American Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Episcopal. After college, I worked as a newspaper reporter, a campus minister and returned to journalism. Later I attended seminary and became ordained in The Episcopal Church.
How about you? I want to hear your stories and how about your experiences (or lack of experiences) with faith and spirituality or even traditions that focus on being without the use of religion. Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns or just to talk.
Rabbi Seth Wax, Jewish Chaplain
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Rabbi Seth grew up in the Boston area and has been on a search that has brought him through Jewish communities and Buddhist monasteries to Harvard Divinity School and the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College before coming to Williams College in the summer of 2017. He has a special interest in exploring how to live a meaningful, engaged life that is infused with learning, contemplation, community, and deep interfaith engagement. Before coming to Williams, he was the rabbi at Congregation Mount Sinai in Brooklyn Heights, NY. He is also a trained spiritual director and offers one-on-one and group sessions for those looking to bring more awareness and attention to their inner spiritual lives.
Say hi when you see him on campus, shoot him an email to meet for coffee, or just stop by his office to see if his super-friendly dogs Ruby and Birch are in!
Bridget Power, Catholic Chaplain
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Bridget Power grew up in North Bethesda, Maryland, and Toronto, Ontario. She received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, her master of divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School, and a post-master’s certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. Bridget spent two years as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Portland, Oregon, and Bethel, Alaska, and participated in Contemplative Leaders in Action, an Ignatian spirituality program. Prior to arriving at Williams in the summer of 2021, Bridget was a hospital chaplain in Boston. Bridget loves meeting for tea or walks around campus. Please reach out!
Sidra Mahmood, Muslim Chaplain
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Sidra Mahmood, or “Ustādha Sidra,” grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. Sidra chose to adorn the hijab and practice Islam more consciously in college as an international student at Mount Holyoke College, where chaplains from various religious backgrounds supported her through her journey of faith and identity, heartbreak, and homesickness. However, the isolation of life as a young professional led her to a deep soul-searching to study at Qalam Seminary. She graduated with an ijāza or certification as a scholar, ālima, to teach Islam with a documented pedagogical chain of teachers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She completed all four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy at Hartford International University. Sidra was a healthcare chaplain in Phoenix, Arizona, before moving to Williamstown in 2023 with her spouse, two cats, and baby, Maalik. She loves camping and hiking and is fascinated with the relationship between spirituality and a socially just world. Email her or click here to meet her for coffee or a walk, or come to her office during office hours for some desi chai! She enjoys one-on-one conversations and would love to know your story (of life)!
Religious advisers at Williams include The Reverend Valerie Bailey, Chaplain to the College and Protestant Chaplain, Rabbi Seth Wax, Jewish Chaplain, Bridget Power, Catholic Chaplain, and Sidra Mahmood, Muslim Chaplain. The Chaplains provide spiritual direction and counseling and seek to support and facilitate the growth and development of all students. See our Staff Directory for more contact information.
Regular worship services are conducted by many religious communities, including Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim. The Williams Meditation Society organizes daily meditation sessions, while Buddhists, Hindus, Baha’i, and others gather for occasional religious devotion. All student religious groups sponsor speakers, discussions, and workshops which are open to the College community. There is a considerable interfaith fellowship among the religious associations.
The Chaplains work closely with the Center for Learning in Action to support student efforts in community service and other needs in the surrounding community. The Chaplains’ Office handles requests for the use of the Jewish Religious Center and Thompson Memorial Chapel, including the Interfaith Common Room.
