Assistant Professor of Religion Jackie Wyse-Rhodes has taken on the role of campus pastor. The position previously was filled by Stephen “Tig” Intagliata, who retired last spring.
When Wyse-Rhodes was approached by President Jane Wood, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Lamar Nisly and Professor of Religion and Associate Academic Dean Randy Keeler about being the new campus pastor, she responded with enthusiasm to the idea immediately and took some time to think and pray about taking the position.
“I love teaching, and the thing I love about teaching is interacting with my students and I love talking about religion and the Bible with my students,” said Wyse-Rhodes. “So, being campus pastor would allow me to do more of those things, but in a different way—a way that I thought would draw on different gifts I have to offer. But also it would increase the range of things I would learn from my students as well. So I was drawn to it right away, and after taking some time, I said, ‘Yes.’”
Wyse-Rhodes poses during a virtual interview. Photo by Olivia Tennefoss.
Wyse-Rhodes shared a little about her conversations over the summer about what campus ministries might look like in the upcoming semester while social distancing. It became clear early on that Chapel would have to look very different because of the risks singing has to propel droplets carrying viruses and other germs. She knows singing and worship are what many students love about Chapel, but Wyse-Rhodes also believes the time spent without the music can be an opportunity to develop other areas of Chapel. She hopes to get people involved in reflections, readings, prayer and figuring out creative ways to use their bodies for worship other than with their voices.
“My hope is that Chapel will be stronger on the other side of this when we can start singing again because we’ll have really spent some time thoughtfully engaging the other parts of Chapel too,” said Wyse-Rhodes.
She observed the transition of having to do activities, meetings and events with Campus Ministries in a different format was a little easier since she was coming into a new role. The ministry and pastoral assistants have also shown flexibility and a willingness to change how things were done before the university implemented social distancing and other expectations in response to COVID-19.
Wyse-Rhodes explained the goals she has set for herself. She said her most immediate goal is to learn about student hopes.
“I want to learn from the current student body about the kind of spiritual life on campus that really energizes people and really contributes to people’s sense of purpose, sense of closeness to God and one another,” Wyse-Rhodes said. “I want to learn about student hopes.”
Her second goal is to increase spiritual life at Bluffton to help grow and cultivate a sense of welcome to join the conversation.
“The ministry team chose as their theme for the year ‘There’s always room’, and it’s a little bit ironic because, you know, we have all these limits of how many people can be in each room on campus,” said Wyse-Rhodes. “But in spite of that, we want our theme to be that there’s always room for people to join. There’s always room for a different perspective. There’s always room for conversation. How can we have that sense of hospitality and openness, even in the current conditions? I think it’s already a hospitable place [and] I want to grow that.”
Wyse-Rhodes had time for orientation with Intagliata before he officially retired. They also had several Zoom meetings together with the ministry assistants to help make a smooth transition of leadership.
“I love what he did with Campus Ministries,” said Wyse-Rhodes. “I think he is very missed, and he’s a beloved, wonderful, caring, kind, generous pastor and human being. He laid the groundwork for me in a really lovely way.”
