I found a small, neutral room in the chapel building and proceeded to pray there when I arrived one early morning before classes. A black man entered the space. Not knowing who he was, I assumed that he was a caretaker. The man asked me gently why I was praying here and not in the nearby small chapel.

With some apology I explained my personal preferences to him and he suggested that I try to use the chapel the next day and I agreed to do.

The next day I went to the chapel and found the pulpit-altar of the chapel had been arranged without the big brass cross. On the prayer podium there was the Bible opened to Psalm 139.7 which says, "Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?"

I felt very grateful for what this man had done for me and after I finished my prayer I placed the cross back on the pulpit and turned the Bible to Psalm 100 – a Thanksgiving Psalm.

Later that semester, I noticed a course on spiritual disciplines and resources taught by a Dean Thurman that was given with spiritual labs. It sounded interesting but I was anxious that somehow my faith would be tested taking a religious class with a Christian teacher who might use this opportunity to try and convert me. I decided to make an appointment with Dean Thurman to discuss my concerns.

To my surprise I found that he was the friendly “caretaker”. He greeted me with a warm handshake and a cup of coffee. I described my fears about the class and said: “Dean, I am not sure my anchor chains are long enough.”

Thurman really listened to what I had said and what I had not said. He thought as he rubbed his hands together. I remembered noticing the deep blackness of Thurman¹s outer hands compared to the deep pink of his inner hands as I watched Thurman contemplate an answer while my heart was trembling.

Thurman then asked me, ”Don’t you trust the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit)?"

I was surprised by his use of the Hebrew term. I was shocked by that question that stirred my deep soul. Trembling, I left his office and for the next two weeks I lived in turmoil.

But what else can one do with faith but trust? And I came back and signed up.

Thurman became one of my favorite mentors. I remember how on the first day of the lab, Dean Thurman played music to accompany our reflections. The first piece was composed by Bach and the second piece was the "Kol Nidre." The playing of this piece of Jewish music was a way to make me relax and welcome in his class.