Rev. Beth O’Malley Receives Touching Lives Award

It was an honor to be nominated and recognized, especially with recent Hood graduates Serena Balassi ’24 and Allia Farzand ’24. And it’s humbling to see the other people who are doing such important work in the community. Hearing about them was inspiring and made me think, “I’ve gotta get moving! Look at all these amazing opportunities!”

I have the best job on campus. This role gives me the opportunity to work with everyone—students, faculty, staff, families and alumni—at some of the most important moments in their lives, from crisis to celebration. I think chaplains are like glue. We help to hold communities together in quiet ways. Most of the work I do is one-on-one or in small groups, supporting folx who are going through difficult times, helping us to get along with each other in spite of differences and finding ways to work together to make the world a better place. I get to cook pancakes, plan alternative break trips, pray at Convocation and Commencement, and pull out my hula hoop on pre-exam play days. What could be better than that?

Marian Wright Edelman, who founded the Children’s Defense Fund, said, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” I like that quote because service heals the world. Judaism has a practice called tikun olam, repair of the universe. Whether you’re giving time by stocking supplies at the Food Bank, tutoring kids at the Housing Authority, working with refugees or survivors of abuse, or registering voters, you’re building lives and communities. There’s a place for everyone to serve.

Did you know there's a mobile van called Fresh Step Laundry that has washers and driers to clean clothes for people who’re unhoused? It was started by a retired police officer and shares a parking lot with On Our Own, a mental health service office on South Market Street. These two groups and the ones who were recognized by the Chamber of Commerce’s Touching Lives award give me great hope that we can work together to solve big problems. They all need volunteers, so work with one that makes a difference and gives you hope.

Thank you for that compliment. When I finished working as a local church pastor, a member of my congregation gave me a sign that sits on the top shelf of my desk—“Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” That’s a reminder to look at people as if they’re icebergs. We see just a little bit of what’s above the water line, but there’s a lot more that we don’t see unless we take time to look beneath the surface. I had great parents who taught me to appreciate people for who they are instead of whatever labels the world hands out. Culture, language, money, nationality, religion, sexual/gender identify—those things make us unique, but they don’t have to make us afraid of each other.

Mindfulness and walking prayer—get outdoors and walk around campus or your neighborhood. Offer some gratitude for what you have and a prayer or good thought for someone who needs help. It’s good for your body, mind and spirit.

Hang around good people. A friend who worked in Hood’s accounting office used to say, “Surround yourself with the people you want to grow up to be like.” There are so many good people at Hood!