The Rev. Dr. Lloyd Steffen is the University Chaplain. He is an ordained Protestant minister (United Church of Christ), a tenured Professor of Religion Studies who teaches religion and ethics in the Department of Religion Studies, and he is also Director of the Dialogue Center and the Lehigh Prison Project. The Rev. Dr. Steffen oversees all of the religious clubs and events on the Lehigh Campus as well as Packer Chapel Weddings.
Rabbi Steven P. Nathan is the Endowed Director of Jewish Student Life and Associate Chaplain. Rabbi Nathan's office is located in the Jewish Student Center located at 233 W. Packer Avenue.
Jane Hontz is the Coordinator in the Jewish Student Center.
Lynn Spina is the Chaplain's Office Coordinator and Packer Memorial Church Wedding & Events Coordinator.
Announcement:
Appointment of Director of Muslim Student Life
Chaplain’s Office Statement on War in the Middle East
(posted October 8, 2023)
The pain and suffering that has been unleashed through the horrific attacks on innocent persons by Hamas has shocked the consciences of the peace-loving persons everywhere. The violence that has affected so many in Israel has touched many in our community. The Chaplain’s Office stands at the ready to offer support to those affected by the violence. We remember in these moments that terrorism cannot be justified, that the religion of Islam is not to blame for the actions of Hamas, that anti-Semitic acts and attitudes have no place in our community or in the community of nations, that non-militant Palestinians have been killed and uprooted, and that with the escalation of violence there will be more suffering and more bloodshed for more people in the days ahead. We join all who condemn the attacks by Hamas and call for the return of hostages to their families, and we grieve with those who have lost loved ones. As an office in this community committed to dialogue and to free and open discourse, we reaffirm our commitment to peace and respectful dialogue as a mode of engagement. Our hope is that those stricken by grief and traumatized by the violence inflicted on Israel might find comfort in their faith and from those friends, colleagues and neighbors who work to build here a community of care.
Rev. Dr. Lloyd Steffen, University Chaplain
The Chaplain's Office staff joins the President, Provost, and the Faculty Steering Committee to deplore the recent racial incident on campus and to affirm our commitment to work for a community at Lehigh dedicated to equality and respect for the dignity of all persons. The Chaplain's Office staff are available to any members of the community who wish to speak about incidents and related issues. Conversation will be treated as confidential.
Troubled that anti-Muslim rhetoric has been spreading in the media and that attitudes of hostility toward Islam have been on the increase in the United States, we affirm the right of Muslims to practice their religion freely and without fear or intimidation. We call on all members of our community to join Religious Life at Lehigh in celebrating religious diversity on campus, believing the Lehigh community as a whole benefits when religious expression is allowed to flourish. We actively support this flourishing and are honored to have all religions welcomed and represented here.
