The Rev. Rick Spalding, Chaplain to the College I oversee religious and spiritual life at Williams, especially students affiliated with under-represented traditions and students who are exploring spirituality generally. With my colleagues, I work on inter-religious dialogues and several multi-faith services of worship each year. I’m an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church, USA – one of the Protestant Christian denominations. One of my great joys at Williams is leading a Winter Study course called “Explorations in Solidarity” in Nicaragua. If you stop by the Chaplains’ Office, probably you’ll also meet my dog Monty. He’s a very good listener.
	Hazzan Bob Scherr, Jewish Chaplain I’m part of the answer to Chaplains’ Office trivia: which two chaplains are native Californians [and what are they doing on the second floor of Paresky in Williamstown]? In my career as a cantor, I’m a performing artist, teacher, listener, student, and occasional chef. So coming to Williams in 2004, after a career in congregational life, made perfect sense. After leading synagogue communities, it’s a thrill for me to work with the students who create a vibrant Jewish life here. I rejoice in our interfaith activities, and am glad to share in raising issues of peace and justice on campus.
	Fr. Gary Caster, Catholic Chaplain I’m a California native whose ministry as a Catholic priest keeps moving me further away from home. Having spent 19 years in the Midwest at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities, I now find myself in the Northeast, once again savoring the privilege of working with college students. I’m here not simply to attend to the sacramental and spiritual life of Catholic students, but also to work with my colleagues in respecting and sharing that sense of Mystery and Presence that is an essential part of our human experience – even on a secular college campus.
	Parvin Hajizadeh, Muslim Advisor I’m originally from Iran and have lived in Williamstown for 18 years. Williams’ increasing diversity has had a very positive impact on our small Muslim community, and I love working with students of different backgrounds. We welcome all believers and seekers, and encourage participation in interfaith activities. I’m happy to share my energy, ideas and, I might add, my home to help us enjoy and learn from one another. We are all special in our own ways, but it’s interesting to see how much we have in common and how much we understand each other.
	Nancy Luczynski Assistant to the Chaplains

Religious advisors at Williams include The Reverend Richard E. Spalding, Chaplain to the College;
Fr. Gary Caster, Catholic Chaplain; Cantor Robert Scherr, Jewish Chaplain; and Parvin Hajizadeh, Advisor to Muslim students. The chaplains provide spiritual direction and counseling, and seek to support and facilitate the growth and development of all students.

Regular worship services are conducted by many religious communities, including Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim. The Williams Meditation Society organizes daily meditation sessions, while Buddhist, Hindus, Bahi' and others gather for occasional religious devotion. All student religious groups sponsor speakers, discussions, and workshops which are open to the College community. There is considerable interfaith fellowship among the religious associations.

The Chaplains work closely with the Lehman Community Service Council to support student efforts in the areas of housing, hunger, big brother-big sister relationships, tutoring, and other needs in the surrounding community.The Chaplains' Office handles requests for the use of the Jewish Religious Center and Thompson Memorial Chapel, including the O'Connell Room, a lounge on the lower level of the Chapel, available to faculty and student organizations.