The Compass Center

by Collin Kelley, ’25

This past semester, I was lucky enough to be an intern at the Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis. It was an awesome experience for me where I learned a lot and I am very grateful for all the people I met, and opportunities I received.

I grew up on the East Coast, and am not Jewish, but going to the JCC was something I always did as a kid as a way of hanging out with friends. Some of my favorite memories growing up are from playing basketball at my hometown JCC with some of my best friends.

What I liked about this internship was the ability to get off campus and work with peers in a real-world setting. This was my first internship experience, and I could feel myself improving on the things I was doing every day. Throughout the semester, I strengthened my skills in video production, video editing, and writing. The things I learned throughout my classes at Butler prepared me to use programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe InDesign, but repeatedly using them every day during this internship was when I saw drastic improvement. It was also very nice to have such a helpful supervisor in Hanna, who I could always ask for advice if I needed.

My favorite project that I worked on was filming and putting a video together for their annual Doggie Dip. Owners brought their dogs, near the end of the summer when the pool was getting shut down, and the dogs were able to run free for the evening. It was a lot of fun to watch, and for the dogs.

I really enjoyed my time interning at the JCC. I learned many skills related to what I am learning in school, and I am grateful for all of the people I met there. I am going to miss my time at the JCC, and I recommend it to any Butler student looking for somewhere to intern where you work with nice people, and learn a lot.

by Andy Pal, ’26

On October 29, 2024, I was delighted to attend Religion and Artificial Minds, the second event from this year’s Series on Religion and Society.  The lecture featured two insightful speakers: Dr. Anne Foerst, a Lutheran theologian and Professor of Computer Science at St. Bonaventure University, and Dr. Ankur Gupta, a Computer Science and Software Engineering Professor at Butler University.  Following introductions by Daniel Meyers, Director of The Compass Center, and Dr. James McGrath, Chair in New Testament Language and Literature, the speakers examined the ethical and theological implications presented by AI in today’s society.

Dr. Foerst opened the lecture by addressing key misconceptions surrounding AI.  She explained that the large language models (LLMs) behind many AI systems lack self-awareness and are ethically blind.  Since AI has no self-doubt or moral compass, it notices patterns that humans cannot. In turn, it falsely regards our underlying sexist, racist, and classist ideas as facts.

Dr. Gupta built upon her comments, arguing that we must encode AI from an unemotional angle that reflects our values and ensures these machines won’t create bigoted or incorrect outputs.  In particular, it is necessary to explicitly encode AI to detect the smaller patterns we seek instead of being hyper-general, which results in AI providing only broad and skewed patterns.

During the post-lecture discussion, Dr. McGrath added that, while AI can provide a tempting array of information, we should never rely on it blindly.  In fact, these systems can be abused to spread misinformation and further online truth decay.  With a rise in online forums allowing for confirmation bias with no gray area or ambiguity, we must utilize our ability to think critically and ensure that AI benefits us rather than becoming detrimental to our society.

Before the event concluded, Dr. Foerst humorously admitted that if a robot became self-aware enough to function as a “human” in our society, she would happily welcome and even willingly baptize the robot.  However, she noted that we must not uncontrollably give in to our desire to anthropomorphize machines when they are not as smart or capable as we often pretend.

As AI becomes an increasingly huge part of my daily life, I am grateful for the valuable reminder not to fear AI but to still recognize its inability to think ethically or emotionally.  Humans are needed for these perspectives, and AI can only pose a threat when we enable it irresponsibly.

by Andy Pal, ’26

On September 19, 2024, I had the pleasure of attending “Mission: JOY,” the first event from the Compass Center’s A New View Film Series this semester. Through my internship with TCC, I’ve already had the valuable opportunity to connect with members of other faith and philosophical groups. I was excited to learn about others’ beliefs and explore our shared goal of finding meaning at this screening and discussion.

Within minutes of the film beginning, it was clear how joyful and fulfilling of an experience it would be. The story centers around the friendship of two of the world’s most beloved religious leaders, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who refer to one another as their “mischievous spiritual brother.” Despite their differing upbringings and beliefs, they possess earnest care and respect for one another, and it was impossible not to smile as their contagious, child-like laughter reverberated throughout the room.

Considering both of their encounters with violence, racism, and corruption, it’s inspiring to see how they have each made the world a more loving place instead of spreading more hatred. They still think of themselves as students who learn every day and actively encourage the exploration of science and faith systems beyond their own. Every person is “a masterpiece in the making,” and they hope to support every individual, regardless of beliefs and differences, through our shared quest for meaning and happiness.

With the increasing division across the globe, we need to foster compassion for and friendship with others. As Rev. Dr. Lynn Martin emphasized in the discussion following the film, we must work with our communities to find connection with those who don’t look or think like us. It’s not enough to mentally care for people different from us. We must cultivate this love with meaningful conversations that make the world bigger, not smaller, as Marguerite Stanciu highlighted. It was beautiful to watch Martin, a Christian, and Stanciu, a Buddhist, find common ground and mutual respect despite their differences, much like the Dalai Lama and Archbishop in “Mission: JOY.”

The event was a delightful reminder to respect others and nurture our spiritual well-being despite the challenges life may put in our path. I loved greeting and talking with attendees, ranging from students to retired staff members to local community members, who all came to experience this special film together. It was a truly soul-stirring experience that I’ll never forget. In the words of one audience member, “I’ve had a spiritual journey just being here.”

 

By Jackson Procise, ’24

Of all job titles I have held, “Just Peace Intern at First Congregational Church” is undoubtedly the most unique and ambiguous. The name comes from First Congregational Church’s designation as a “Just Peace” church, which is one that congregations within the United Church of Christ denomination can attain.

In essence, to be a Just Peace church means that a congregation is absolutely committed to advancing causes of peace and justice in the world. This mission seems ambiguous and vague at times. However, it is undoubtedly a noble one.

Since First Congregational is a mission-driven church, it spends much time and energy focused on advancing various causes and supporting others in the community. For example, the congregation spends the better part of one Sunday service each year writing letters to lawmakers to advocate for hunger justice and greater food assistance programs. As I began my internship, I imagined that my primary focus would be engaging in causes such as these, which are external to the church.

However, this was not the case. I found that First Congregational Church is also a place that, internally, cares deeply about curiosity and learning, engaging in meaningful conversations about history and issues of the day, and building relationships within its own close-knit community. So, I found myself more closely involved with internal aspects of the church.

The main focus of my internship became studying belonging in the church, although this was not my first-time studying belonging. Sense of belonging is cultivated among individuals within a community, but it is a distinctly individual concept. To belong, an individual human generally must hold relatively strong feelings that they are accepted, respected, included, and able to meaningfully contribute within a community (Walton & Brady, 2017).

At First Congregational, I observed that belonging is not derived from doing or thinking the same things as everybody else. Rather, these things are achievable because those connected with the church are able to have an open and respectful dialogue with one another, even in the midst of disagreement. Even when a difference in views exists, respect and acceptance still remain.

Furthermore, the small size of the church and open-mindedness among its people (among other factors) allows it to be a place where people within the community are able to connect with others and contribute their gifts in meaningful ways. Ultimately, what I observed at First Congregational Church reflects the foundations of meaningful community and connections with others – things that all human beings so desperately need.

As I embark on new journeys in this life, I will remember First Congregational Church. I won’t remember it as much for its bold theological or ideological views; rather, I will remember it for being a place to cultivate inner peace and sense of belonging. These are things that our contemporary society, entrenched in culture wars and disconnected by an isolation epidemic fueled by electronic screens and an unbalanced work-life culture, would do well to remember.

 References:

Walton, G., & Brady, S. T. (2017). The Many Questions of Belonging. In Handbook of competence and motivation: Theory and application (2nd ed., p. 272). Guilford Publications.

 

 

by Samantha Cohen, ’25

This semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Indianapolis. Though it was my first internship experience, I can confidently say that I won’t soon forget the skills that I learned during my time at the JCC. I am so grateful for the period that I spend learning and growing, not only as a communications intern, but as a member of the greater Indianapolis community.

I grew up on the southside of Indianapolis, and my family never really ventured to the northside of Indianapolis. My family is part Jewish, and it is something that I have taken a strong interest in in the past several years. It wasn’t until I came to Butler that I found out that Indianapolis had a JCC. As a strategic communication major looking for internships to gain experience, it seemed like kismet that this opportunity would appear – I knew I had to apply. And to my surprise, I got the internship!

My time at the JCC allowed me to get out of the classroom and into a real-world communications setting, something I had no knowledge of before. I was able to strengthen my skills in interviewing, writing, and video production and learn new ones like graphic design in Adobe programs and social media strategy. Though learning new things was not without its hurdles, I am glad to have done so under the wonderful guidance and mentorship of my supervisor, Hanna. I am so greatly appreciative of her expertise, and what I have learned from her.

Some of my favorite projects that I worked on at the JCC were the summer hiring video, in which I put together existing footage, interviews, and graphics to advertise and recruit for summer job openings at the JCC. I also enjoyed working on creating content for the JCC’s Earth Day; I got to plan social media posts leading up to the event in May, and then create content for the JCC’s social media.

I absolutely loved my experience at the JCC – from learning new skills related to what I’m studying, to growing my connections with the Indianapolis community and the Jewish faith, I am all around grateful for my experience. Time flew by, and I can’t believe that it’s already over, but the lessons I learned at the JCC will be with me for the rest of my career, and maybe even my life.

 

By Jade Eilers, ’25

My time serving as the Interfaith Council has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in college. This year has been challenging, given everything that’s happened and is continuing to happen in the world. My goal was to foster an environment where people feel respected and safe. A place where people could ask questions without judgment and be vulnerable sharing their lived experiences. During my time interning at the Compass Center, I have felt encouraged to be creative and ask meaningful questions.

Over the duration of my year, my passion project has been that of combining LGBTQ+ and Religion. I have observed that at Butler, there is a space for LGBTQ+ students and a space for religious students, but no space for the intersectionality of those two identities. I made it my mission to collaborate with Alliance in any way possible. I held several meetings talking about LGBTQ+ in religion and even had a collaborative meeting with Alliance. I, with the help of the council, was able to put together a LGBTQ+ and Religion resource guide with affirming resources, in a variety of media, for many of the major religions and secular beliefs on campus. 

I couldn’t have been able to lead such a successful year of Interfaith Council without the guidance of the Compass Center staff members. Specifically, I would like to thank Daniel Meyers for his constant support and wisdom he’s provided me with for this past year. Also, a huge thank you to Marguerite Stanciu for coming to speak at an Interfaith Council meeting on the Shambhala tradition in Buddhism. I will never forget my time leading the Interfaith Council, and I wish the best of luck to the new Interfaith Council Chair!

by Nick Okoro, ’25

As I wrap up my internship journey with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation (CIC), I’m filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reflection. This experience has been a transformative one, marked by meaningful encounters, insightful discussions, and invaluable lessons learned.

One of the most enriching aspects of my internship was the opportunity to delve into a side project focused on evaluating the nonprofit business model against a for-profit structure. Conducting this deep dive allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in sustaining a nonprofit organization like the CIC. Exploring how we can adopt practices to ensure sustainable funding was not only enlightening but also deeply rewarding. It sparked my interest in philanthropy and opened my eyes to the importance of innovative approaches in addressing funding challenges.

Throughout my internship, I had the privilege of participating in a variety of impactful events and initiatives. From attending the screening of “Dalya’s Other Country” as part of the A New View Film Series to facilitating discussions at the Indiana Multifaith Network conference, each experience has left an indelible mark on me. These moments of engagement and connection have reinforced my belief in the power of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in fostering understanding and harmony within our communities.

One event that particularly stands out is the Violence Reduction Workshop. Engaging in honest and intellectual discussions about the violence epidemic in Indianapolis was both eye-opening and inspiring. It highlighted the urgent need for collective action and underscored the vital role that organizations like the CIC play in driving positive change.

As I reflect on my journey with the CIC, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the guidance, support, and mentorship I received throughout my internship. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but has also reaffirmed my commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world. Moving forward, I am excited to continue exploring opportunities to contribute to the important work of building a more inclusive, compassionate, and peaceful society.

In closing, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone at the CIC for their unwavering dedication and passion. It has been an honor to be part of such a vibrant and purpose-driven community. I am grateful for the friendships formed, the knowledge gained, and the memories created during my time here. As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me the invaluable lessons learned and the profound impact of this internship experience.

 

 

by Samantha Plumridge, ’25

I truly can’t believe how fast my time at The Compass Center has flown by as the Communications Intern for the spring 2024 semester. I didn’t expect to love this internship as much as I did, as it was my first internship, and I was not very knowledgeable when it comes to spirituality, faith, and vocational journeys.

I was eager to apply for this internship when I saw a poster on one of the tables in CCOM. I was curious to dive deeper into The Compass Center, as a tour guide I knew some of the bare bones of what it has to offer, but I was intrigued to learn more about what the Center truly does. I remember my interview at the Center, meeting Marguerite and Daniel for the first time. I was told I would be working closely with Marguerite throughout the semester, although I didn’t know what that truly entailed until starting my position in January.

Marguerite was a great resource for me to have during my time at the Compass Center, and honestly, I give a lot of my thanks to her for helping me grow and thrive in ways I never would have pictured. She believed in ideas that I had to make the Center grow, whether it was encouraging me to go to events we held or trusting me to expand our social media presence, she was an asset in the various projects I worked on over the course of the semester.

One of the projects that I am most proud of during my internship was our growing presence on TikTok. At the beginning of the semester, I told Marguerite how we could engage more with the student body, and recommended we do more on TikTok as a different way to show the many events and resources we offer. I made five TikToks during my internship: one about the release of our podcast “Compass Conversations” and, another regarding a day in my life as the communications intern. The third TikTok involved interviewing other interns about their experiences, one reflecting on our Cookies and Questions event, and a silly one following a popular TikTok trend. Throughout these five videos, the Center saw a spike in engagement with the videos, some even surpassing three thousand views! It was a big jump for the Center, and I truly cannot be grateful enough for the opportunity to drive this project.

In every project I tackled during my time at the Compass Center, I learned to push myself in new ways while learning more about myself. I am thankful for the wonderful staff I was able to work with during my time here, and always know that this community of people is supportive, and this is a place to see myself grow in the future.

by Samantha Plumridge, ’25

I feel so grateful I was encouraged to attend Black and Jewish as a part of the Black Diaspora: Faith and Expressions Seminar on Feb 26, 2024, as it was truly an experience like no other. As part of my internship with the CFV, I had the opportunity to learn about different faith-based communities and their experiences, and when Black and Jewish became an event I was able to attend, I was eager to go.

I personally never grew up around a Jewish community. Throughout my childhood, I was predominantly surrounded by Christian families based on the geographic location I was in, so I was excited to be able to attend an event to learn more about not just the Jewish culture, but also what it meant to be Jewish and a person of color.

When attending the seminar, we were first shown the film “Queen Esther”, which I soon learned was a common story in the Jewish tradition. This film was directed by Ira Mallory, who is an Indianapolis native and a Black man who follows Judaism. Along with him were Erreol Robinson and Paige Wells, who played the main characters in the film. After the film was shown, it was followed by a discussion. Early on in the seminar, I learned that Ira was originally brought up in the Christian tradition. He studied these beliefs until about 20ish years old when his mother died of cancer. Ira expressed that he felt angry at God for taking away his mom, which led him to explore the teachings of Judaism. 

Through Judaism, he started to feel a sense of calm and peace, making the passing of his mother feel a little bit lighter to him. He created this film for his daughter to teach her about the stories of Judaism with more representation of people of color. This also allowed him to combine his two passions of filmmaking and Judaism. Listening to Ira talk about how he chose who to cast and who to work with was also very interesting. Since this film revolved around the story of women, he thought it would be best to not only have a cast but a crew that identified as women as well. This way, he felt as though the message of women’s empowerment was truly present.

Listening to Erreol and Paige talk about their roles in the film was also very interesting to hear. Erreol described her experiences as positive, along with being thankful for the people she worked with. A good portion of the crew members of the film attended the seminar. It was a delight to see their faces brighten up as people were engaging with the film and the conversation.

The seminar was a great way for me to learn about more of the Jewish culture but also more about the Black community. It was very insightful to learn how the presenters got to where they are today and the impact they are looking to have on people who watch the film and learn from their experiences.

 

By Jack Puricelli, ‘25

I began working for the Indianapolis-based Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic the summer before my junior year of college. I was a high-achieving college student with law school aspirations, so naturally I sought out pro bono work to diversify my resume. It was in my individualistic search for accolades that I witnessed the extent of America’s collective legal suffering.

My first day at The Clinic laid bare the scale of suffering in Indianapolis and the inadequate response to said suffering. My introduction was innocuous enough—a routine walkthrough of their office at Trinity Outreach Center, meeting the staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers I would be working with, and a brief introduction by Executive Director Erin Hall to the many projects I would be working on during my stay. However, my first assignment was as lowly as it was grueling—reception duty. For my first two days on the job, I sat at the front desk, answered phone calls, directed clients to their appointments, and referred potential clients to organizations better suited to their needs.

I will never forget the first man I spoke to that day. He was older black man in his late 40s or early 50s. His shorts and t-shirt were worn and faded, and he had a makeshift sack slung on his shoulder, holding an assorted mix of clothes, toiletries, and personal items. His parched expression spoke of his desperate situation. This man had been evicted from his home last week after failing to keep up with rent–a combination of inflation, COVID-19, and steady rent hikes had pushed him out of the home he had known for years. The Marion County Sherriff gave him 15 minutes to vacate his home—the sling over his shoulder held what little of his life he could gather in that brief time.  A maintenance worker at his old apartment complex told him squatters were now living in his home—he asked if there was anything I could do.

Eviction and landlord-tenant disputes are not outside the purview of Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic. The Clinic is one of the partners with the City of Indianapolis to provide legal services through the Tenant Advocacy Project to renters facing eviction. TAP services are a no-cost legal remedy to renters in a crisis meant to keep tenants in their homes. TAP services are provided before or on the day of an eviction hearing, not as a remedy after the fact. In the eyes of the law, the cruel and unjust situation before him was legally sanctioned. The Marion County Sheriff’s Department enforced his removal. The small claims court of his township considered it justified. The judge who removed him from his home believed his ruling was in accordance with the law. The statutes of Indiana dictated the function and path of this depraved sequence of events. I had no legal services to offer him. So, I had no legal services to offer him.

My first day was not an anomaly—nor was the life of that man. 50 million American households live at or below 125% of the Federal poverty line, with a higher proportion of black households in poverty and suffering legal and financial distress because of COVID-19 than non-white households (The Justice Gap 23-24). Of 2021 low-income families, nearly 50% of households faced consumer legal issues (primarily debt collection) or healthcare issues (securing insurance coverage, incorrect billing, and difficulty accessing necessary healthcare) (The Justice Gap 33-34). The state of financial and home security for America’s poorest is equally as shocking: 33% of low-income households–43% of renters–experienced at least one legal housing issue (lease disputes, landlords falling behind on repairs, falling behind on rent, and being evicted or receiving an eviction notice) (The Justice Gap 34). In a nation of unprecedented wealth and prosperity, where all are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, how can its poorest suffer to this degree? In a nation proud of its legal history and the resiliency and fairness of its judiciary, how is this dearth of justice allowed? Maybe I’m asking the wrong question. Instead of asking why there is no justice, I should be asking if this is the justice we want as Americans.

Legal Services Corporation. 2022. The Justice Gap: The Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans. Prepared by Mary C. Slosar, Slosar Research LLC.