Hendricks Chapel Dean Rev. Thomas Wolfe and the University community have welcomed two new chaplains to Hendricks Chapel. Joel Miller is the new executive director of the Jewish campus organization Hillel, and the Rev. Kathryn Fraser Bell has been named the interdenominational protestant chaplain.
"I am delighted they are both here," says Wolfe. "They have already shown such commitment to an interfaith congregation, while at the same time serving their particular communities."
Bell's ministry will encompass students, faculty, and staff of four separate denominations, linked by the "Free Church" tradition: United Methodist, Presbyterian Church (USA), American Baptist and United Church of Christ. In addition, Bell will be responsible for helping Christians work with and understand community members of other faiths.
Before coming to Syracuse, Bell was the associate pastor of the Grinnell United Methodist Church in Grinnell, Iowa. She also worked with nonprofit organizations including the Social Justice in Action Group and Grinnell College's Grinnell Refugee Assistance Coalition.
Miller's responsibilities will include the promotion and communication of Jewish faith and life to the campus community. He will also serve under a mandate directing him to increase student, faculty, lay and alumni participation in SU's chapter of Hillel and to ensure Hillel's financial security and growth.
Miller was previously the assistant executive director at the Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center, a nonprofit social service agency headquartered in West Hartford, Conn.
