10/03/2019
Kellen Stepler | staff writer
Between church services, worship, conferences and programs, the Spiritan Campus Ministry (SCM) at Duquesne has launched a new program debuting Oct. 9.
The event, titled Agape Latte, is a new speaker series program that gives Duquesne students an opportunity to engage in “caffeinated conversations” about the intersection between faith and real life, according to the SCM bulletin.
The series, taking place once a month, will feature a leader on campus from the faculty, staff or administration who will share their story about their own faith journey and will invite students to reflect on their own life story.
Jeff Mallory, from Duquesne’s office of diversity and inclusion, will be the event’s first speaker. Mallory is calling the lecture, “The Path Less Traveled…” and the event will take place on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., at the Duquesne Union Atrium outside Starbucks. Duquesne Music School student Noah Pepmeyer will provide music.
“The evening includes free coffee and desserts, coffee-house style music, trivia and a unique story in an inviting and casual atmosphere,” according to the SCM bulletin.
All are welcome to attend the programs.
“Started in 2006 by Boston College’s Church in the 21st Century (C21), the name of the program is derived from the Greek word for the selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love of God,” according to a statement provided by Debbie Kostosky, campus minister of SCM.
Agape is a Greek word for a type of love that seeks nothing in return. In Christianity, agape is considered to be the love originating from God or Christ to mankind.
SCM is “excited” about bringing this program to the Duquesne community, the statement reads.
“We hope that each speaker’s faith story will inspire others to explore and discuss their own relationship with God and with others,” the statement said.
Currently, there are 44 colleges and 13 high schools that host Agape Latte events each year. Saint Joseph’s, Villanova, Chestnut Hill, Marywood, Alvernia and DeSales universities are other Pennsylvania schools that host the program.
SCM hosts other events on campus as well. Besides Agape Latte, the ministry hosts Heritage Week, celebrating the 141st birthday of the university and feast day of Claude Poullart des Places, founder of the Spiritans.
The week kicked off Monday, Sept. 30 with a blanket making luncheon in the Africa Room. Attendees shared lunch while making blankets for families in Mullens, West Virginia. Later that day, an event called “Wine into Water” collaborated with Pure Thirst and their work with the Spiritan mission in Olkokola, Tanzania. Students shared their experiences in Tanzania this summer and the effect of the water crisis in that area.
A-Walk was filled with activities to celebrate Duquesne’s birthday on Tuesday, Oct. 1 with games, free t-shirts, cookies and snow cones. Birthday cakes were also available in residence halls and the commuter center.
Wednesday, Oct. 2 was feast day for Claude Poullart des Places with Mass in the chapel at noon, a luncheon in the Africa Room at 12:45 p.m. and a giveaway at 2 p.m. in the Union Atrium.
The week ends Thursday, Oct. 3 with an event dubbed “Fruitful Interreligious Dialogue” from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Africa Room. The event, hosted by the Consortium for Muslim Christian Dialogue (CCMD) is a symposium celebrating the 8th centenary of St. Francis’ encounter with Malik al-Kamil and the 10th Anniversary of the CCMD.