Spiritual Life
Albright supports and encourages the exploration of religion, faith and moral values as part of a liberal arts education. The college has a longstanding affiliation with the United Methodist Church and its historical precursors and embraces their ideal of “practical divinity” – an active engagement with others that seeks justice and liberty, presumes the equal dignity of all persons, and values service. Albright is a highly ecumenical community that supports the spiritual life of those of all faiths and those having no faith tradition. The college seeks to provide opportunities in which students can reflect upon religious and moral questions and issues. The cardinal virtues of respect, openness and tolerance are considered essential ingredients in any dialogue about the meaning and significance of the various religious traditions.
Located at 1811 Linden St., the Multifaith Center is a shared space where people of all faith traditions can gather for worship, quiet reflection, meetings and group activities – on the first floor, or in several smaller rooms on the second floor.
The Multifaith Center encourages interaction between different religious groups so they can learn about and develop an appreciation for each other. Students who may not have an interest in formal religion can take part in shared discussions around serious topics.
Student Religious Organizations
In addition to the work of the chaplain’s office, student religious groups representing the Jewish, Protestant and Catholic traditions offer a variety of means through which students can explore personal and social issues of faith. Weekly Protestant and Catholic worship services are offered on campus for students and other members of the College community.
Spiritual Life Team
Mel Sensenig, M.Div., Ph.D., chaplain
Reverend Mel was raised in Berks County. He and his wife Cindy got their start in ministry together serving in campus ministry in Pennsylvania prior to moving to New England in 1994. There they spent 11 years in New England – three of those in New Haven while Mel worked on his Master of Divinity at Yale, and then eight years in Providence where he planted and pastored Trinity Presbyterian Church. He then accepted a call to plant and pastor Christ Presbyterian Church in Reading and did so for 10 years. During that time, he completed his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible at Temple University. He began teaching religious studies here at Albright in 2012. In addition to teaching and chaplaincy, he serves as Theologian in Residence for the Hispanic Pastors Association of Reading. He has four children, three of whom have graduated college and one still a student at Temple University. He and his family live in the city of Reading. Reverend Mel is generally available Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Click here to schedule a meeting.
Ibrahim Bangura, M.Div., chaplain
Reverend Bangura has been in ministry since 2007. He has held several ministry responsibilities including Interim Pastor, Youth Leader, Young Adults Pastor and Executive Pastor. He has worked in churches/ministries in West Africa, England, Tennessee and now in Reading, Pa., where he serves as the Executive Pastor and Young Adults Pastor of Spring Valley Church of God. In Tennessee, Rev. Bangura worked as a Student Chaplain at Lee University. He worked with students from diverse backgrounds and religious affiliations. Part of his responsibility was to help students navigate college life and their spiritual journey. He received his B.A. in Pastoral Ministries from Lee University and his M.Div. in Ministerial Leadership from Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Reverend Bangura is available virtually Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-6:30 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Click here to schedule a virtual meeting. In person meetings with Rev. Bangura are available upon request.
Rubina Tareen has spent the last 30 years as a community builder, activist, and volunteer. Her love of faith service was originally sparked years ago when she volunteered as a chaplain to the Muslim inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution- Schuylkill. Now she spends much of her time continuing to work on her passion: building bridges of understanding between the American-Muslim community and people of other faiths, and regularly giving lectures on Islam and Muslims at religious institutions and colleges. Most recently, she has been working with the local community in Schuylkill County to help fight against racism. She is part of the founding committee to open the first NAACP chapter in the county and was recently elected president of this chapter. She served as Interfaith Chaplain for Alvernia University for 8 years. And currently serves on the board of trustees for Respect Graduate School in Bethlehem, PA and on the board of directors for Schuylkill County VISION. She is also the outreach coordinator for the Islamic Center of Reading and is a member of the steering committee of Interfaith Philadelphia’s Inter-Seminary Initiative (ISI). Rubina previously served on the ACLU-PA board for over 10 years. Prior to that she owned multiple businesses primarily focused on the dissemination of educational media. Rubina was born in Pakistan and moved to the United States at age seventeen. She is the mother of five children, and currently lives in Schuylkill County with her husband. Rubina is generally available Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., and virtually, Mondays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Click here to schedule a meeting.
Mark Baldridge
Maria Escobar
Victor Forte
Marian Wolbers
Rev. Dr. Mel Sensenig, chaplain
Rev. Ibrahim Bangura, chaplain
Spiritual Life Community Partners
Swamini Shraddhananda Saraswati
Kula Kamala Foundation and Yoga Ashram
kulakamalafoundation.org/
484-509-5073
Rev. Allen J Hoffa, M. Div., Pastor
Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church
ahoffa@hgaparish.com
610-921-2729 ext. 2205
If you would like to speak with someone regarding spiritual life at Albright College, please call the office of the Senior Vice President of Student and Campus Life at 610-921-7611.